The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion
General Science Fiction
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Dan
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Jul 24, 2013 05:22PM
This folder is for the discussion of all sci-fi, books, movies, TV series, video games, comics, etc. that doesn't fall under other folders topics.
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A brave new ordering system:American science fiction has gone through a series of periods. In the beginning was the Gernsbackian Era dominated by an almost mythic and gadget-and-space-monster-based scientifiction. Next came the Golden Age dominated by the Astounding's editor, Joseph Campbell from 1938-46 and represent the first steps in professionalization of and the movement towards human-focused pulp fiction. Robert Silverberg has argued forcibly for inclusion of the 50s in this grouping but in actual fact it should be described as the Classical Age due to the widespread proliferation of hard sci-fi in quality and quantity of writing and audience. Next in the 60s and 70s comes the New Wave revolution of Harlan Ellison's "Dangerous Visions" and Philip K. Dick's work, and its focus on experimental literary techniques, philosophical issues, psychological drama, and the rejection of the Modernist narrative. The development of William Gibson's cyberpunk of the 80s brings the genre into a full blown Postmodernist fiction completely rejecting the positivism of Gernback and Campbell, and America in general. In the 90s we see a split occurring between the lure of literary success and its "speculative fiction" hauteur with writers like Margaret Atwood, and the return of hard science fiction writers like Kim Stanley Robinson. With his "Mars Trilogy", Robinson creates a Neo-Classical Period for the ghetto genre, one unrepentant of tech and unafraid of mature subject matter of the mind, soul, and the body.
Gregg wrote: "A brave new ordering system:..."You posted this in another topic already. No need for duplication.
I was fishing for a different set of opinions. I reckon different folks follow different subject areas. Sorry about that.
Good point. If you think it might be discussed better here, we can.
