Uncovering the world of science fiction! Premium

Explore the captivating world of science fiction, blending humanity and science through thrilling narratives and imaginative subgenres.

Science fiction has been a popular genre throughout generations and continues to occupy the hearts of young fans even today. Whether it be the words in a book or the clips of a movie, the genre always has something exciting and unique to showcase. From Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where a man’s journey to create a scientific method for creating life turns awry and horrifying, to Andy Weir’s The Martian, where a stranded astronaut must learn how to survive on Mars, the genre of science fiction holds a vast array of stories and narratives. One of its main focuses is on the relationship between humanity and science. While it contains many factual and scientific elements, at its core, the genre focuses on the human aspect of the plot.  

The book cover of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, an illustrated version. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The definition of science fiction has been a subject of debate for a long period of time, mainly due to the arguments made on the true history of the genre. There were two theories that took precedence. The first theory planted its roots in the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, a fantastical (something created from unrestrained imagination) text. The second navigated the origin to the centuries that followed the Scientific Revolution (17th to 19th Century), where the importance of logic, facts, experimentation, and modern sciences was established.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Matthew McConaughey in a scene from the film "Interstellar." | Photo Credit: AP

Science fiction’s beauty is that each plot incorporates science in one way or another. Two of the most prominent subgenres are hard and soft science fiction. In hard science fiction, science takes the spotlight! It doesn’t matter if the word ‘fiction’ comes in the genre’s name; scientific accuracy is a must! Previously established scientific statements and principles are explored and adhered to when the story is created. The movie ‘Interstellar’ is a good example of this. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne was the executive producer of this film and had studied wormholes and black holes. One of the main guidelines he had put forth to the director was that “nothing would violate established physical laws.”

PHOTO: AP