What is the current state of science fiction? Is this term presently employed in literature?

Question

Does science fiction continue to thrive in the literary market? Is the term science fiction useful?

Answer 1

From my studies of literature and my own personal reading, I would say that science fiction has really been surpassed by two related genres- fantasy and cyber punk, both of which having been aided by the adoption of certain elements and themes of generic science fiction.

I would say without hesitation that cyber punk is the true heir of science fiction, though. It seems to be to almost be a next generation sci-fi, accepting technological development and not necessarily seeking to stay ahead of it, as sci-fi tries to.

However, two essential elements of cyber punk, to my mind, are the genre's fascination with the fusion of technology and the human body (which seems one step further than sci-fi's stereotypical technologies like laser guns, space ships, robots and cyborgs) and the seemingly genre-wide setting of a degenerating and dying civilization (the 'punkish' nihilism), compared to sci-fi's ever growing and advancing societies.

For a more coherent and studied discussion of cyber punk, there's a self-explanatorily titled chapter in 'Punk rock, so what?: the cultural legacy of punk', edited by Roger Sabin.

Otherwise, I would say that traditional sci-fi like Phillip K. **** and his contemporaries will always enjoy some popularity, but I think that the collective thought of the emerging paradigms will lend itself more to cyber punk and be more in keeping with the cyber punk genre.

Answer 2

Science Fiction is alive and well in the publishing world. Though the genre, along with fantasy and romance, has never quite made it to the realm of "literature", which seems to be reserved for some spectacularly undeserved books, science fiction is still being written, sold and enjoyed.
The genre has come a long way from its inception, though. Thanks to writers like Asimov, Cherryh, Modesitt and Adams the genre has gained some distinction.
I think the term is still useful. As long as science continues to investigate , then writers of science fiction will continue to speculate.

Answer 3

The state of science fiction is a small principality just 300 miles from the shores of Santa Catalina. No terms are ever employed there. The Litterati are sworn never to work, although there is a small underground resistance movement that does talk about it.




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Answer 4

Definitely.

Answer 5

Yeah. Like a lot of the speculative-type genres, though, the lines are blurring these days...still popular, but far less formulaic.