This chapter presents a history of science fiction literature on the future from the 1940s to the present. For the period covered in this chapter, major historical influences on the genre are described, including the “Cold War” and the threat of a nuclear holocaust, the 1960s counter-culture, and the rapid contemporary evolution of computer technologies. Major movements in science fiction are examined, such as the New Wave, Cyberpunk, and cosmic space opera. A representative sample of influential writers and publications across all these periods of science fiction are discussed. Key topics and themes of the genre, such as robots and artificial intelligence, human evolution, dystopias and global disaster scenarios, and “world building” are described. Interactive influences between science fiction and human society are also described. In the conclusion a comprehensive summary of areas of the future addressed in science fiction is provided.
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Clute, John (1995) Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley.
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Lombardo, Thomas (2023) The Evolution of Science Fiction Webinar Series. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/@tomlombardo75/playlists.
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Vinge, Vernor (1993) “The coming technological singularity: How to survive in the post-human era.” Retrieved May 5, 2023, from http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/vinge/misc/singularity.html.
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