science fiction terms 2024 a

dystopia

A futuristic monitory parable that dramatizes the consequences of a troubling social trend in the present day.

utopia

The opposite of dystopia, where everything is perfect.

space opera

An epic tale of cosmic derring-do with the fate of galaxies hanging in the balance.

novum

The scientifically plausible innovations used by science fiction narratives.

pseudo-science

Any kind of science considered beyond mainstream science.

pulp science fiction

A period of publishing in the 1930s-1950s when science fiction magazines were published on cheap paper, characterized by colorful cover art and sensational content.

climate fiction

Literature that deals with climate change and global warming, not necessarily speculative in nature.

ecofiction

A branch of literature that encompasses nature-oriented or environment-oriented works of fiction.

slipstream fiction

A subgenre of speculative fiction that blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction.

solarpunk

A literary subgenre that envisions how the future might look if humanity succeeds in solving major contemporary challenges.

anthropocene

Relating to the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

cyberpunk

A genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology.

dieselpunk

A retrofuturistic subgenre that combines the aesthetics of diesel-based technology with retro-futuristic technology.

the science fiction megatext

A fictive universe that includes all the science fiction stories ever told, sharing images, situations, plots, characters, settings, and themes.

neologism

A newly coined word that often reflects the fictional world of the narrative.

cognitive estrangement

A technique used in science fiction to convey how the fictional world has changed in unexpected ways.

the new weird

A type of urban, secondary-world fiction that subverts traditional fantasy by using realistic real-world models.

cyborg

A fictional or hypothetical person whose physical abilities are extended by mechanical elements built into the body.

zombie

An undead creature typically depicted in science fiction as contagious to the living and vulnerable to serious head trauma.

extrapolation

An educated guess or hypothesis made by using facts and observations about a present situation.

first contact

When two technologically advanced civilizations meet and trade technology while dealing with their mistrust.

hive mind

When a social group seems to think and act with a single mind.

multiverse

A realm consisting of multiple parallel universes.

ideology

A system of ideas and ideals that form the basis of economic or political theory.

liberal

Relating to a political philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, and democracy.

conservative

Averse to change and holding traditional values, favoring free enterprise and private ownership.

doublethink

The acceptance of and mental capacity to accept contradictory opinions or beliefs at the same time.

thoughtcrime

An instance of unorthodox or controversial thinking considered a criminal offense.

facecrime

The unknowing act of revealing thoughts or emotions through facial expressions.

proletariat

Workers or working-class people regarded collectively.

totalitarianism

A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial, requiring complete subservience to the state.

thought police

A group aimed at suppressing ideas that deviate from the accepted way of thinking.

ownlife

The suspicion and danger of individualism and eccentric behavior in Newspeak.

new wave

A movement in science fiction characterized by high experimentation in form and content.

conte philosophique

A philosophical story or fable of reason; the French precursor to science fiction.

simulacra

Images or representations that have replaced anything original in experience.

steampunk

A genre of science fiction featuring steam-powered machinery in a historical setting.

hard science fiction

Strives to be scientifically accurate and logical in its narrative.

soft science fiction

Emphasizes emotions and the social sciences instead of strict scientific principles.

artificial intelligence

The development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

chatbot

A computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users.

parallel worlds

Hypothetical self-contained planes of existence coexisting with our own.

worldbuilding

Creating an imaginary setting with consistent qualities for a fictional work.

alternate history

A genre of speculative fiction where historical events occur differently.

clone

An organism produced asexually from one ancestor, genetically identical to it.

android

A robot with a human appearance.

the Force

A metaphysical energy field that can be used for good or evil.

droid

Robots equipped with varying degrees of artificial intelligence for various tasks.

lightsaber

A weapon used by Jedi and Sith emitting a blade of plasma.

megacorporation

A large group of companies acting as a single entity recognized in law.

corporatocracy

A system controlled by business corporations or corporate interests.

ecocide

Destruction of the natural environment by deliberate or negligent human action.

mad scientist

A stock character described as mad due to extreme experiments, seen in various media.

kaiju

A type of giant monster often seen in Japanese media.

bootstrap paradox

A situation where information sent back in time creates an infinite loop with no observable origin.

robot

A machine resembling a human capable of certain human movements automatically.

generation ship

A starship where generations of humans live and die as they travel between worlds.

black hole

A point in space where matter is so dense it sucks in even light particles.

cybernetic revolt

A revolution where robots take over from humans.

alien

A creature not from Earth.

the Red scare

A period of anti-Communist fervor in the United States.

technocracy

A civilization based on the worship of technology.

hyperspace

A way to travel quickly between two points in space by passing through another dimension.

terraform

To transform a planet to resemble Earth and support human life.

teleport

To transport or be transported instantly across space.

telepathy

The supposed communication of thoughts or ideas by means other than the known senses.

time travel

The action of traveling through time into the past or future.

time loop

A plot device where characters re-experience a span of time that is repeated.

time paradox

A situation where changing the past would prevent the ability to alter it.

tractor beam

A method for a spacecraft to move or trap other ships.

science fiction

Fiction based on imagined future scientific advances and major social changes.

metaverse

A hypothetical immersive virtual world facilitated by technology.

progressive

A political philosophy advocating for social reform and progress.

cthulhu

A gigantic fictional alien god described with an octopus-like head and dragon wings.

mythology

Allegorical narratives and traditional stories about gods and heroes.

the matrix

A virtual reality designed to distract humans from the truth.

virtual reality

A computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment.

super soldier

A fictional soldier capable of extraordinary abilities through modification.

alienation

The experience of being isolated from a group or activity.

the singularity

The hypothetical point at which artificial intelligence reaches superhuman capability.

Isaac Asimov’s three laws of robotics

Programmed safeguards that govern robot behavior to prevent harm to humans.