Science fiction is the possibilities of ideas about our future based on our current technology
Science fiction is the possibilities of ideas about our future based on our current technology. It involves possibilities of discoveries; technological advancements and it pushes readers’ boundaries and their wild imagination. It could be about the past; how did humans got to today or about the future; what we might evolve to. This process of questioning never stops.
Science fiction is not a random thought or mythical events, it has a basis. It gives us an approach, a scope for us to explore different thought-experiments. It could be an exaggeration, but still within certain scientific basis. It gives us a medium to express our thoughts and question the possibilities. It allows an exchange of ideas, provides alternatives in order to reach a better and clearer standpoint.
Science fiction is not only about one discipline. It can be cross-discipline, to explore values of many diverse fields. This opens up experts and professionals from different fields to share their views on evolution and never-ending change and progress. The vast diversity reflects the widest spectrum of possibilities of where our future lies. This cultivates flexible thinking and some sort of predicting the future. Many science fiction stories somewhat depicts the future, whether ten years from now or it could be time travelling.
There had always been an ongoing debate on “hard SF” vs “soft SF”. “Hard SF” which is also called “mundane SF” deviate less from scientific theories with some speculation. It starts from current scientific standpoint and add possibilities to it or it could be starting from something farfetched and progress realistically. “Hard SF” is usually more towards astronomy, mathematics, engineering and extrapolated. “Hard SF” can sometimes be so “hard” that it is not really a fiction whereas “soft SF” can be more towards fantasy.
“Soft SF” can literally be anything, about the space, time travelling, alternate history/dimensions and even parallel universe. It becomes less restrictive as it may not have “too much science” in it and very implausible. I feel that there should not be a boundary between hard and soft but rather as long as there is a certain set of rules and the author is really consistent, it can still be a very good SF.
Science fiction is one of the many genre in fiction in which the plot is usually science and technology of the past, present or future. It is important to note that science fiction has a relationship with the principles of science—these stories involve partially fictitious laws or theories of science. It should not be completely unrealistic, because this will be classified under the genre fantasy.
Science Fiction genre novels are literature about the future, telling stories of the marvels we hope to see, or for our descendants to see tomorrow, in the next century, or in the limitless duration of time. It doesn’t just have to be about science, though. It has been described quite suitably as: “A controlled way to think and dream about the future.” It can be about people, ideas, and where the world is going. It can also be about where people have already been.
Some may relate science fiction to speculative fiction as it is a form of speculation about infinite possibilities that can happen due to vast technological progress. SF is closely related to fantasy and often mixed together such as Marvel films since these are what fans are crazy over. However, the difference between fantasy and SF is that SF has a basis, but fantasy can be anything. A good mix of these two genres have become so common in our entertainment industries today as they received best review and feedback.
The main problem with the concept of genre is that it is fairly ill defined by the literary community; This is often compounded by its uses in the film, comic, and gaming communities. The borders of this genre are also not well defined. It has proved difficult to define because it is not a run of the mill genre with the dividing lines between its sub-genres often fluid; It certainly can be described as a constantly shifting genre with blurred boundaries. Unlike the mystery, the western, the gothic, the love story, or the adventure story, to quote a few of the categories to which it is often compared, science fiction has no identifying action or place.
