Science fiction

Isaac Asimov, had numerous jobs, although he will forever be a science fiction writer. Born on January 2, 1920, Isaac Asimov spent the first few years of his life in the Soviet Union. By the age of three, his family moved to the United States. Within moving to the United States, Isaac Asimov worked at his father’s candy store when not in school. At the store he worked the magazine rack. The rack consisted of the Amazing Stories science fiction magazine. Despite Mr. Asimov’s father’s disapproval,…

Bradbury became one of the most honored American authors in the genres of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery. In the 1950’s many authors were writing motivational novels, but not Bradbury. His desire for fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery set him aside from other authors and he was widely noticed. “When people asked about the purpose of his novels, Bradbury responded, ‘I don't try to describe the future. I try to prevent it’” (“Ray Bradbury” Encyclopedia). Ray Bradbury was…

Synthetic Biology, Science Fiction, and the Escape from Boredom Synthetic biology may seem like an area of study that is not very connected to our popular culture, and it comes across much like a field inaccessible to the non-expert, but Kurt Andersen, who reports with Eric Molinsky, the producer of the article “Biology in Pop Culture”, has seen these ideas present in popular culture for decades. Screenwriters, such as Kurt Andersen are keen to two basic archetypes. These two basic archetypes…

Andrew Niccol's film 'Gattaca' effectively conveys crucial elements of science fiction to examine the possible ramifications of modern man’s self-destructive nature. Like all science fiction texts, Niccol forces responders on an introspective journey into a possible future. Through Gattaca's dystopic setting, Niccol’s unnatural and lifeless society is reflective of our near future, commenting on the inherent dangers of such world through characters that are representative of society’s natural…

world. Kurt originated from a wealthy family, but the trials of the time period initiated shifts in plans and goals that later influenced his writing career, and through his stories, both non-fiction and fiction alike, he laid out his perception on contemporary subjects in the form of satirical science fiction journeys. Born on November 11, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was the third and youngest…

The Galaxy The science fiction genre in the film industry has always been a huge hit with fans. These movies bring human life into the vastness of space along with a flare of futuristic technology. Not to mention, aliens, the dark side of the force, and family feuds over who will rule the universe are almost always included. Jupiter Ascending and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are two great sci-fi movies and by comparing and contrasting the main characters along with the science behind them it…

Vonnegut’s fusion of historical fiction and science fiction in Slaughterhouse Five (Vonnegut, 1969), allows for an exploration of the aftermath of the war on both individuals who fought in it, and society post-war, which he does more specifically through the character of the protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, and his invention of Tralfamadore. Noted by Kevin Brown, Vonnegut wanted to “remind the reader of the anomic alienation that existed in the society that came after that war” (Brown, 2011), which…

Escaping Reality with Ray Bradbury Sometimes reality is too hard to bear, it is unfair, or it is just plain simply unsatisfying. Current situations can be disappointing, leading people to seek comfort in other areas or aspects in life. Usually seeking an answer as to how it is that they ended up where they are, or what they could have done differently to have gotten a better life. Often fantasizing as to how great things could have been if people would respect one another or were treated…

of fiction are set in a desolated future brought on by a war waged with highly destructive technology. To sum it up, they both share certain values with religion, though they differ on its place in the future, whether it is to go extinct or if one major religion will become dominant. They are also fearful of what mankind will do…

spoke about science fiction before it was a major genre. Shelley also spoke about Romanticism in Frankenstein. Her novel explored the suicide and doppelganger motifs. Although Frankenstein was one of the last Romantic works, it was also one of the first science fiction novels. Her success of Frankenstein may be due to her having drawn inspiration from her life. To this day, Shelley’s Frankenstein may be considered one of the most important contributions to the Romantic and science fiction…