Eighties Cyberpunk

This subgenre is also very closely linked with ‘hard science fiction’ due to its raw reliance on science, technology or biology to tell the story. The background to Neuromancer is that there has been a small nuclear war resulting in a power concentration in the corporate multinationals. There is also the added element of artificial intelligence, which has surpassed man’s own intelligence. Throughout the story there are developments and occurrences including space travel, biological advancements, etc. which serve to break Wells’ Law.

From catastrophic cyberpunk to futuristic space opera, science fiction texts remain perennial favourites with readers. Science fiction extends scientific principles in a fictional sense to form the plot while catering to society’s ever changing scientific interests. Early sci-fi employed slow-paced storylines and wishfully extrapolated every technological breakthrough. However, more recent texts have a stronger foundation in scientific theory, and serve as a critical mirror to the advances of humanity. Despite the constant revolution of the sci-fi genre, good science fiction is and always will be characterised by scientific principles, creative fiction and analytical social commentary.

“Live long and prosper” may be the words which bring back good memories for the average geek in America but this may not be the case for a typical British geek. This is despite the fact that science fiction series in television have been hugely popular in both the U.S. and the U.K. all throughout history. After the 1960s, ‘New Wave’ science fiction began to take over television screens. ‘New Wave’ refers to science fiction which was characterized by a high degree of experimentation (Wolfe). It was during this time when the U.S and the U.K started to telecast science fiction series which had a huge impact on society.

Advances which will affect our society, the behaviour of individuals and how we live. In modern day, Science fiction is a very popular kind of imaginative literature. Science Fiction is the genre that asks ' What if?' It is a genre to infinite possibilities. By 'Science Fiction' I mean Jules Verne, H.G.Wells and Edgar Allan Poe type of story.

In Fahrenheit 451 the author Ray Bradbury makes an argument for societies need to consider that the outcomes of science fiction might become realities. The origin of science fiction '…evolved from the industrial revolution that spawned notions of the rockets, robots, time machines, computers, satellites, matter-transports, and the like'; (Johnson 6). Science Fiction has dramatically changed over the years form total destruction of the earth, to more of a wonderful place to live. We should '…consider events…rationally and is concerned with the impact of change on people'; (Gunn and Boucher 1). There have been two events in history which has change science fiction into what is today, the '…explosion of the first atomic bomb and landing on the moon'; (Gunn and Boucher 5).

The traditional science fiction writers usually set their stories in the major cities of the United States or other well-known technologically-developed countries. The author of "Preface from Mirroshades,"Bruce Sterling noted that "Cyberpunks aim for a wide-ranging, global point ofview," (347). Gibson's Neuromancer proves this notion by setting his story in worldwide. Cyberpunks or postmodern science fiction writers create their story into our everyday life and make it more real.

“New magazines like Galaxy and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction were more amenable to literary or satirical forms of science fiction than Campbell had been” (Wolfe, Why 1). Author of Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card says, “We have to think of them so that if the worst does come, we’ll already know how to live in that universe.” Science fiction has become so popular because it enables the mind to expand and think of new concepts that predicts the lives of humans in the future as time goes on.

Stories like that obviously demand a great amount of creativity. Also, the way Asimov shows what he thinks of technology through his style of writing is unique. The way he writes his books helps a wide audience of readers be able to read his books about technological advancements, molecules, or even complex mathematics. In addition to that, Asimov’s science-fiction novels are set in the immediate and far future on distant planets circling other suns. All in all, Isaac Asimov uses a unique style to portray his elaborate views on subjects of technology, science fiction, and the future.

“Science Fiction” or “Speculative Fiction” as fiction or film that portrays “a changed world that has not yet come into being”. This “change” has to be significantly different, and “consistent with the... arguments of contemporary science” including extensions of current scientific thinking for a text to qualify. Common motifs in Science Fiction include space travel, alien visitors, machines, urban jungles, alternate energy forms, nuclear explosions, weapons, and colonies in bio-domes on other planets; all of which mirror the dreams and inventions of industrialised society. (Hubpages) To wrap this up, Guardians of the galaxy, Men in Black, the hitchhiker guide to the galaxy are amazing examples of science fiction. In the story vogons are an example of aliens.

This use of science allows the World State to instill suggestions in and controls the minds of the citizens. In addition, the World State uses soma, an anti-depressant and semi-hallucinogenic drug, to subdue the emotions of the citizens. The people are encouraged to consume this drug for instant gratification. Much like in Brave New World, the episode of Twilight Zone consists of similar, yet different, concepts. In the episode, it is evident that science is a huge contributor to the advanced, futuristic society; therefore, science is highly regarded and relied on.