Science fiction has often been concerned with the great hopes people place in science but also with their fears concerning the negative side of technological development; the latter is expressed in the classic theme of the hubristic scientist who is destroyed by his own creation. Much science fiction attempt to generate a sense of wonder, or awe, from the setting, circumstances, or ideas presented. Paradigm shifts may be used to induce a sense o ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Many amateur and professional fanzines ("fan magazines") exist, dedicated solely to keeping the science fiction fan informed on all aspects of the genre. The premiere literary awards of science fiction, the Hugo Awards, are awarded by members of the annual Worldcon, which is almost entirely run by fan volunteers; the other major science fiction literary award is the Nebula. Science fiction fandom often overlaps with other, similar interests, such as fantasy, role-playing games, and the Society for Creative Anachronism. The largest, annual, multi-genre science fiction convention is ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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In science fiction materialization and dematerialization are the actions associated with a matter transporter system. An object is demateralized at one point in space (and, sometimes, time) and materialized (or rematerialized) at another point. Famous instances of materialization and dematerialization in science fiction include: the appearance and disappearance of the TARDIS, the Doctor's time machine The TARDIS has distinctive and separate sound effects, created by the BBC Radi ...

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Although women had always been represented among science fiction writers (Frankenstein by Mary Shelley has been called the first science fiction novel), it was not until the 1960s and 1970s that authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Joanna Russ began to consciously explore feminist themes in works such as The Left Hand of Darkness and The Female Man. WisCon, the world's only feminist science fiction convention and conference, is a four-d ...

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Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which advances in science, or contact with more scientifically advanced civilizations, create situations different from those of both the present day and the known past. Although science fiction is often written primarily to entertain, many authors have a deeper purpose, using the genre to provide insight into science, society, or the human condition. The borders of this genre are not well defined, and the dividing lines between its sub-genres are often fluid. (In Strong Opinions, Vladim ...

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Science fiction - Terminology Science fiction - Scope Science fiction - Media Science fiction - Fandom Science fiction - SF Portals
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Science fiction typically features fanciful or not-so-fanciful weapons that depict the changes in the field. A SF story that focuses elsewhere may just use generic beam weapons, while a military-oriented or meticulously detailed one might have an intricate variety of arms. The archetypal example is the ray gun, a directed-energy weapon that comes in all sizes and shapes, shooting lasers, plasma or particle beams depending on the setting. Ray guns have become a cliché in the genre, particularly when they're used to the e ...

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Weapons in science fiction - Examples

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Apocalyptic science fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization, through nuclear war, plague, or some other general disaster. Post-apocalyptic science fiction is set in a world or civilization after such a disaster. The time frame may be immediately after the catastrophe, focusing on the travails or psychology of survivors, or considerably later, often including the theme that the existence of pre-catastrophe civilization has been forgotten or mythologized. The fall of civiliz ...

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Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Cultural views on apocalyptic fiction Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Criticism Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Examples listed by nature of the catastrophe
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - World War III nuclear Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Pandemic Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Astronomic impact meteorites Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Alien invasion Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Ecological catastrophe Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Cybernetic revolt Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - The decline and fall of the human race Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - After the fall of space-based civilization Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - The Sun's expansion Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Religious and supernatural apocalypse Eschatological fiction Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - Various Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction - To be categorized

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The term "science fiction" first came into popular usage in the 1930s with the publication of Science Wonder Stories magazine by Hugo Gernsback. Before then, stories in this genre were often referred to as "scientific romances". Two competing abbreviations for "science fiction" are in common usage: "SF" (or "S.F.") is the term most commonly used by science fiction writers and serious fans ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Scope, Science fiction - Media, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF Portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Early science fiction was published in books and in general circulation magazines. The science fiction magazine began in 1926 with the publication of Amazing Stories edited by Hugo Gernsback. Most science fiction written between 1926 and the early 1950s appeared in science fiction magazines. Since then, there has been a huge increase in the amount of written science fiction published, and now most written science fiction appears in either hardback or paperback books, though there is still significant science fictio ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Scope, Science fiction - Media, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF Portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Early science fiction was published in books and in general circulation magazines. Science fiction - Magazines. Main article: science fiction magazine The science fiction magazine began in 1926 with the publication of Amazing Stories edited by Hugo Gernsback. Most science fiction written between 1926 and the early 1950s appeared in science fiction magazines. Since then, there has been a huge increase in the amount of written science fiction published, and now most written ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Many fanzines ("fan magazines") and a few professional ones exist, dedicated solely to informing the science fiction fan on all aspects of the genre. The premiere literary awards of science fiction, the Hugo Awards, are awarded by members of the annual Worldcon, which is almost entirely run by fan volunteers; the other major science fiction literary award is the Nebula. Science fiction fandom often overlaps with other, similar interests, such as fantasy, role-playing games, and the Society for Creative Anachronism. The largest, annual, multi-genre science fiction convention is ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Scope, Science fiction - Media, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF Portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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Hard science fiction used to be largely a literary genre, as the complexities of physics were initially perceived to be poorly suited to other media. This perception has been somewhat modified in the latter parts of the 20th century and the early 21st century. Hard science fiction - Film. One notable early exception to the rule that hard SF is essentially a prose form is 2001: A Space Odyssey, though the movie does not present the scientific detail (from physics, computer science, and other fields) ...

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Hard science fiction, Hard science fiction - Hard SF authors, Hard science fiction - Hard science fiction in other media, Hard science fiction - Film, Hard science fiction - Television, Hard science fiction - Manga, Hard science fiction - Anime, Hard science fiction - Miscellaneous

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Hard science fiction used to be largely a literary genre, as the complexities of physics were initially perceived to be poorly suited to other media. This perception has been somewhat modified in the latter parts of the 20th century and early 21st century. Hard science fiction - Film. One notable early exception to the rule that hard SF is essentially a prose form is 2001: A Space Odyssey, though the movie does not present the scientific detail (from physics, computer science, and other fields) cont ...

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Hard science fiction, Hard science fiction - Hard SF authors, Hard science fiction - Hard science fiction in other media, Hard science fiction - Film, Hard science fiction - Television, Hard science fiction - Manga, Hard science fiction - Anime, Hard science fiction - Miscellaneous

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The first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, was published in a format known as bedsheet, roughly the size of Life magazine but with a square spine. Later, most magazines changed to the pulp magazine format, roughly the size of comic books or National Geographic but again with a square spine. Now, most magazines are published in digest format, roughly the size of Reader's Digest, although a few are in the standard roughly 8.5" x 11" size, and often have stapled spines, rather than glued square spines. Science fic ...

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Science fiction magazine, Science fiction magazine - The first science fiction magazines, Science fiction magazine - The pulp era, Science fiction magazine - Odd sized magazines, Science fiction magazine - Digest sized magazines, Science fiction magazine - British science fiction magazines, Science fiction magazine - The decline of the science fiction magazine, Science fiction magazine - Best of the year anthologies, Science fiction magazine - 2005

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Hyperspace science fiction - Star Wars. The Roll Playing Game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic gives one of the more substantial explanations of how hyperspace travel works in the Star Wars universe. There are established safe hyperspace routes that were scouted out by an unknown species 25,000 years prior to the events in episode four. These routes made interstellar trade and eventually the establishment of the Republic possible. New routes are almost never scouted out, mostly due to the fact that the end ...

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Hyperspace science fiction, Hyperspace science fiction - Depictions, Hyperspace science fiction - Examples of Hyperspace in Science Fiction, Hyperspace science fiction - Star Wars, Hyperspace science fiction - Dune, Hyperspace science fiction - The Universe of Isaac Asimov, Hyperspace science fiction - The Voyage of the Star Wolf, Hyperspace science fiction - Star Trek, Hyperspace science fiction - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Hyperspace science fiction - Xenosaga, Hyperspace science fiction - Babylon 5, Hyperspace science fiction - Others

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History of science fiction - Cyberpunk. By the early 1980s, the New Wave had faded out as an important presence in the science fiction landscape. As new personal computing technologies became an integral part of society, science fiction writers felt the urge to make statements about its influence on the cultural and political landscape. Drawing on the work of the New Wave, the Cyberpunk movement developed in the early 80s. Though it placed the same influence on style that the New Wave did, it developed its own un ...

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History of science fiction, History of science fiction - Early science fiction, History of science fiction - Ancient Precursors, History of science fiction - European Proto-Science Fiction, History of science fiction - American Proto-Science Fiction, History of science fiction - The Early Twentieth Century, History of science fiction - The Birth of the Pulps, History of science fiction - Modernist writing, History of science fiction - Public mythology, History of science fiction - The Golden Age, History of science fiction - Astounding Magazine, History of science fiction - The Golden Age in Other Media, History of science fiction - The End of the Golden Age, History of science fiction - The New Wave and its Aftermath, History of science fiction - The Beat Generation, History of science fiction - The New Wave, History of science fiction - Science Fiction in the 80s, History of science fiction - Cyberpunk, History of science fiction - The New Space Opera, History of science fiction - Contemporary Science Fiction and its Future

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Science fiction covers numerous distinct subjects. Many of these were originally treated by early pioneers such as H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. The following subjects from works by Verne are found in much later science fiction: Space travel (From the Earth to the Moon), 1865 The future (Paris in the 20th Century), 1863 Technology not yet invented (Submarines 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea), 1870 Mental changes in humans (The Green Ray), 1882 Terr ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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On SF Main SF Article History of SF SF's Golden Age Speculative fiction Cyberpunk Hard SF Soft SF Space opera More subgenres... Computers Cyberware Robots Space ships Hyperspace Time machines Weaponry Aliens Cyberspace Multiverse Utopia/Dystopia more... Novels ...

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Science fiction, Science fiction - Definition and scope, Science fiction - Overall definition, Science fiction - Science fiction and fantasy, Science fiction - Science fiction and mainstream literature, Science fiction - Speculative fiction, Science fiction - Slipstream fiction, Science fiction - Precursors of science fiction, Science fiction - Purpose of science fiction, Science fiction - Subject matter, Science fiction - Forms of media, Science fiction - Magazines, Science fiction - Film, Science fiction - Comics, Science fiction - Radio, Science fiction - Theatre, Science fiction - Terminology, Science fiction - Fandom, Science fiction - SF portals, Science fiction - Bibliographies of SF in various languages

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The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica was widely acknowledged as addressing many of the deficiencies common in television science fiction — in particular, weak character development and general cliches. However, some also felt that Moore's general philosophy of naturalistic science fiction undermines the escape value of science fiction, especially in regard to the pervasiveness of cynicism, angst, gritty realism, and allegory to recent events (most notably 9/11) ...

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Naturalistic science fiction, Naturalistic science fiction - Criticisms, Naturalistic science fiction - Counter-Points

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