Science fiction A General Introduction

Science fiction A General Introduction

        Science fiction is a type of narrative fiction that is grounded in scientific or pseudo scientific concepts and that, whether set on Earth or in an alternate or parallel world, employs both realistic and fantastic elements in exploring the question “What if?”  Science fiction concerns with the scientific and technological advancements and is set in a future world or another planet. It takes us to a fantasy world of the future with space exploration and travel to alien planets.

It is similar to but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story , its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature. Thus when we look at a contemporary phenomenon like Science fiction, we must be careful not to dismiss it because it is fanciful, extravagant, or even impossible, for, on the same limited grounds we could dismiss The Odyssey, The Tempest, Gulliver’s Travells or The Pilgrim’s Progress. The facts of  Science fiction are fictional, and can only be assessed in literary terms.

The term Science fiction was first used; it seems in 1851, in William Wilson’s “A Little Earnest Book Upon a Great Old Subject”. The term Science fiction was popularized in the late 1920s by Science fiction novelist and publisher Hugo Gensback. It was he who coined the term scientific fiction. Later Forrest J Ackerman used the term Sci-fi for Science fiction in1954. Peter Nicholls writes that SF (or sf) is “the preferred abbreviation within the community of Science fiction writers and readers”

Science fiction stories are about an amazing variety of things, topics, ideas. Science fiction elements can be seen in short story, novella, and novel. It is difficult to classify the elements of Science fiction. The following are some of the elements of Science fiction published in wikipedia.

1.     A time setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in a historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record.

2.      A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g., spaceflight), on other worlds, or on subterranean earth.

3.     Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or humanoid robots.

4.     Technology that is futuristic (e.g., ray guns, teleportation machines, humanoid computers).

5.     Scientific principles that are new or that contradicts known laws of nature, for example time travel, wormholes, or Faster-than-light travel.

6.     New and different political or social systems (e.g. dystopia, post-scarcity, or a post-apocalyptic situation where organized society has collapsed).

7.     Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation.

             Other universes or dimensions and travel between them.