List of science fiction themes: Difference between revisions
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**[[Social cycle theory|Historical cycles]]: history repeating itself (either on long or short scales) |
**[[Social cycle theory|Historical cycles]]: history repeating itself (either on long or short scales) |
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**Scientific [[prediction]] of the future (e.g. [[Psychohistory (fictional)|psychohistory]]) |
**Scientific [[prediction]] of the future (e.g. [[Psychohistory (fictional)|psychohistory]]) |
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**[[Secret history]] |
**[[Secret history]] <ref name="[[Doctor Who]]"></ref> |
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*[[Language]] |
*[[Language]] |
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**Alien languages <ref name="If you need a reference for this one, you must have only just heard of science fiction"></ref> |
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**Alien languages (e.g. [[Klingon language|Klingon]], [[Hutt|Huttese]]) |
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**All humans speaking one language (possibly [[Esperanto]]) |
**All humans speaking one language (possibly [[Esperanto]]) |
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**Current human languages evolving/splitting |
**Current human languages evolving/splitting |
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**The [[Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis]] being strongly true (e.g. [[Babel 17]] by [[Samuel R. Delany]] or [[The Languages of Pao]] by [[Jack Vance]]) |
**The [[Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis]] being strongly true (e.g. [[Babel 17]] by [[Samuel R. Delany]] or [[The Languages of Pao]] by [[Jack Vance]]) |
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**[[Universal Translator]]s |
**[[Universal Translator]]s <ref name="Doctor Who"></ref> |
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*[[Military science fiction|Military]] - strategy, weapons, ranks, technologies. |
*[[Military science fiction|Military]] - strategy, weapons, ranks, technologies. |
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**[[Ray gun]]s |
**[[Ray gun]]s <ref name="several [[James Bond]] books"></ref> |
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**[[Space warfare]] <ref name="[[Star Wars]]"></ref> <ref name="[[Battlestar Gallactica]]"></ref> |
**[[Space warfare]] <ref name="[[Star Wars]]"></ref> <ref name="[[Battlestar Gallactica]]"></ref> |
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*[[Omega Point]] |
*[[Omega Point]] |
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*[[Quantum suicide and immortality]] |
*[[Quantum suicide and immortality]] |
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*[[Parallel universe (fiction)|Parallel world]]s or universes. <ref name="[[Doctor Who]]"></ref> <ref name="[[ |
*[[Parallel universe (fiction)|Parallel world]]s or universes. <ref name="[[Doctor Who]]"></ref> <ref name="[[Sliders]]"></ref> |
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**There is a space based civilization variant of this theme. This plot device allows writers to write [[soft science fiction]] while accounting for the lack of technological advancement and thus similarity to the present day. |
**There is a space based civilization variant of this theme. This plot device allows writers to write [[soft science fiction]] while accounting for the lack of technological advancement and thus similarity to the present day. |
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*[[Religious ideas in science fiction]] |
*[[Religious ideas in science fiction]] |
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*[[Fantasy fiction|Sci fantasy]] |
*[[Fantasy fiction|Sci fantasy]] |
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*[[Horror fiction|Sci horror]] [Frankenstein], [The Demon Seed], [the Alien series] |
*[[Horror fiction|Sci horror]] <ref name="[[Frankenstein]]"></ref>, <ref name="[[The Demon Seed]]"></ref>, <ref name="[[the Alien series]]"></ref> |
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*[[Sex in science fiction|Sex]] (including [[gender role]]s, [[polygamy]], [[Human sexual behavior|sexuality]] and [[Reproduction|procreation]]) |
*[[Sex in science fiction|Sex]] (including [[gender role]]s, [[polygamy]], [[Human sexual behavior|sexuality]] and [[Reproduction|procreation]]) <ref name=sex&gender>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235728/Sex-and-gender#toc235728</ref> |
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** [[Homosexuality in science fiction]] |
** [[Homosexuality in science fiction]] |
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** [[Gender in science fiction]] |
** [[Gender in science fiction]] |
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**future [[caste system]]s |
**future [[caste system]]s |
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*[[Capitalism]] |
*[[Capitalism]] |
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*[[Dystopia]]s and [[utopia]]s <ref>shttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235725/Major-science-fiction-themes#toc235725</ref> |
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*[[Dystopia]]s and [[utopia]]s |
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*[[Environmentalism]] |
*[[Environmentalism]] |
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**Science fiction is used to raise awareness of environmental ideas. Lends itself well to dystopian futures. Frank Herbert and Kim Stanley Robinson are known for their serious concern with ecological issues. |
**Science fiction is used to raise awareness of environmental ideas. Lends itself well to dystopian futures. Frank Herbert and Kim Stanley Robinson are known for their serious concern with ecological issues. |
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***[[Terraforming]] |
***[[Terraforming]] |
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*Moving planets |
*Moving planets |
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*[[Space exploration]] <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel" --> |
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*[[Space exploration]] |
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**[[Interstellar travel]] <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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**[[Interstellar travel]] |
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***[[Faster-than-light]] travel and communications |
***[[Faster-than-light]] travel and communications <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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****[[Hyperspace (science fiction)|Hyperspace]] |
****[[Hyperspace (science fiction)|Hyperspace]] <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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****[[Alcubierre drive|Warp drive]]s <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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****[[Alcubierre drive|Warp drive]]s |
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****[[Wormhole]]s <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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****[[Wormhole]]s |
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****[[Ansible]]s <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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****[[Ansible]]s |
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**Much slower than Light <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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**Much slower than Light |
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***[[Generation ship]] <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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***[[Generation ship]] |
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***[[Sleeper ship]] <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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***[[Sleeper ship]] |
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**Very nearly light speed <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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**Very nearly light speed |
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***[[Bussard ramjet]]s <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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***[[Bussard ramjet]]s |
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***Ursula LeGuin's NAFAL ships, and the [[Twin paradox]] |
***Ursula LeGuin's NAFAL ships, and the [[Twin paradox]] |
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**[[Space station]]s <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730</ref><!-- Nb, cite is for "space travel", and this is a form of space travel --> |
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**[[Space station]]s |
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*[[Time travel]] <ref name="If you need a reference for this one, you must have only just heard of science fiction"></ref> |
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*[[Time travel]] |
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**[[Alternate history (fiction)|Alternate histories]]: time travel can be used as a plot device to explore [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universes]]. While alternate history has its own category (see above), it often occurs in time travel stories as well. |
**[[Alternate history (fiction)|Alternate histories]]: time travel can be used as a plot device to explore [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universes]]. While alternate history has its own category (see above), it often occurs in time travel stories as well. |
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**[[Anachronism]] |
**[[Anachronism]] |
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==Technologies== |
==Technologies== |
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*[[Artificial gravity]] |
*[[Artificial gravity]] |
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*[[Artificial intelligence]] |
*[[Artificial intelligence]] <ref name="If you need a reference for this one, you must have only just heard of science fiction"></ref> |
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**[[von Neumann machine]]s |
**[[von Neumann machine]]s |
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*[[Technological singularity|Singularity]] |
*[[Technological singularity|Singularity]] |
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Revision as of 04:56, 20 January 2009
The following is a list of recurring themes in science fiction. Please note this list also includes themes you'd also find in other genres.
Overarching themes
- Cosmology
- Creation of the Universe
- The future [1] [2] [3]
- History [4]
- Alternate history [4]
- Historical cycles: history repeating itself (either on long or short scales)
- Scientific prediction of the future (e.g. psychohistory)
- Secret history [1]
- Language
- Alien languages [5]
- All humans speaking one language (possibly Esperanto)
- Current human languages evolving/splitting
- The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis being strongly true (e.g. Babel 17 by Samuel R. Delany or The Languages of Pao by Jack Vance)
- Universal Translators [4]
- Military - strategy, weapons, ranks, technologies.
- Omega Point
- Quantum suicide and immortality
- Parallel worlds or universes. [1] [9]
- There is a space based civilization variant of this theme. This plot device allows writers to write soft science fiction while accounting for the lack of technological advancement and thus similarity to the present day.
- Religious ideas in science fiction
- Sci fantasy
- Sci horror [10], [11], [12]
- Sex (including gender roles, polygamy, sexuality and procreation) [13]
- Sociology and sociobiology
- Space Opera
Types of beings
- Alternate intelligences
- Artificial intelligence
- Beings of pure mentality
- Hive minds
- Infomorphs - memories, characters and consciences of persons being uploaded to a computer or storage media
- Noosphere - the "sphere of human thought"
- Solipsism & Solipsism syndrome - a belief that the universe is entirely the creation of one's own mind
- Androids and Gynoids
- Characters
- The Absent-minded professor or Monomane & Eclecticism
- The Detective
- The God-Like Alien
- The Golem
- The Ignorant Friend
- Redshirt
- The Robot Clone
- The Robot Servant
- The Scientist
- The Mad Scientist
- The Amoral Scientist
- The Heroic Scientist
- The Lame Amoral Scientist
- The Wedge
- Clones
- Extraterrestrial life (see Extraterrestrial life in culture)
- Alien invasion
- Astrobiology
- Benevolent aliens
- First contact
- Principles of non-interference (e.g. Prime Directive)
- Living Planets
- Mutants
- Shapeshifters
- Superhumans
- Symbionts
- Uplifted animals - using technology to "raise" non-human animals to human evolutionary levels
Body and mind alterations
- Bio-implants
- Body modification, including genetic modification
- Bionics
- Cybernetics
- Intelligence amplification
- Invisibility
- Life extension, Biological immortality, Universal immortalism and immortality
- Artificial organs
- Cloning
- Cryonics
- The Organ Bank Problem - a proposed problem in which the reduced death rate caused by organ transplants would lead to a shortage of organs available for transplant
- Mind interfacing
- Memory removal/editing
- Mind control
- Mind uploading
- Neural implants to directly interface with machinery
- Molecular manufacturing & Nanotechnology (nanomilitary, nanomaterials, nanoecology, nanomedicine, nanocomputing, nanospace, nanoenergy)
- Psi powers and psychic phenomenon
- Paradise engineering
- Resizing (size-changing, miniaturization, magnification, shrinking, and enlargement)
- Shapeshifting
- Telepathy
- Teleportation
Possible futures
- Alien invasions
- Apocalypses or world wide disasters
- Post-apocalyptic life - new societies that develop after the event
- Posthumanism
- Race of the Future
- Ultimate fate of the Universe & Kardashev scale
Political structures
- Alien Contact
- Anarchism
- Anarcho-capitalism (see: Anarcho-capitalist literature and Libertarian science fiction)
- Assassination
- Astrosociology
- return to feudalism
- hive-like eusocial societies
- future caste systems
- Capitalism
- Dystopias and utopias [14]
- Environmentalism
- Science fiction is used to raise awareness of environmental ideas. Lends itself well to dystopian futures. Frank Herbert and Kim Stanley Robinson are known for their serious concern with ecological issues.
- Economics
- Eugenics
- Fascism
- Galactic empires
- Interstellar federation of planets
- Legal personality
- Libertarianism
- Limited-franchise republic
- Militarism
- Mind reading and mind control
- National security state
- Nepotism
- Pacifism
- Plutocracy
- Proportional representation
- Racism
- Revolution
- Slavery
- Socialism
- Theocracy
- Totalitarianism vs. Libertarianism (see: Libertarian science fiction)
- Treason
- World government
- Zero population growth
Habitats
- Alien Reality Television, usually the protagonist discovers his life has been one big reality television show for aliens.
- Alien Zoo, a zoo where humans are kept as exhibits.
- Arcologies - enormous habitats (hyperstructures) of extremely high human population density
- Domed city
- Endemic
- Exploring alien habitats.
- Floating City
- Seasteading & Ocean colonization
- Space colonization
- Underground city
- Walking City
Travel
- Colonization of other planets, moons, asteroids, etc.
- Moving planets
- Space exploration [15]
- Interstellar travel [16]
- Faster-than-light travel and communications [17]
- Much slower than Light [22]
- Very nearly light speed [25]
- Bussard ramjets [26]
- Ursula LeGuin's NAFAL ships, and the Twin paradox
- Space stations [27]
- Interstellar travel [16]
- Time travel [5]
- Alternate histories: time travel can be used as a plot device to explore parallel universes. While alternate history has its own category (see above), it often occurs in time travel stories as well.
- Anachronism
- The Grandfather paradox -- e.g. Can someone go back in time and kill his parents before they beget the killer?
- Travel to the Earth's center
Technologies
- Artificial gravity
- Artificial intelligence [5]
- Singularity
- Star lifting & Stellar engineering
- Megascale engineering & Planetary engineering
- Technology
- Far advanced technology for the time.
- Alien technology being found and used by humans. Most of the time for selfish purposes, or is being used incorrectly (not how it's supposed to work)
- Virtual reality and simulated reality
- Weapons
See also
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Doctor Whowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Back to the Futurewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
The Time Machinewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Doctor Whowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
If you need a reference for this one, you must have only just heard of science fictionwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
several James Bond bookswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Star Warswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Battlestar Gallacticawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Sliderswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Frankensteinwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
The Demon Seedwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
the Alien serieswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235728/Sex-and-gender#toc235728
- ^ shttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235725/Major-science-fiction-themes#toc235725
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528857/science-fiction/235730/Space-travel#toc235730