New HBO series reimagines a group of life-like robots programmed with hope but marred in violence. They might be more human than we think.
Articles on Science fiction
Displaying 201 - 220 of 239 articles
Many of HG Wells’s futuristic prophecies have come true, but the one on which his heart was most set – the establishment of a world state – remains unfulfilled.
Science fiction is a popular and lucrative genre – but most authors are men and relatable female characters are sadly lacking. Given this entrenched sexism, it’s time for publishers to take affirmative action.
With a pilot that was deemed too complex and cerebral, ‘Star Trek’ looked dead in the water. Fifty years later, we look back at the show’s rocky beginnings.
Films set in the ancient world can no longer adequately live up to the demands of the ‘epic’. Instead, we should look to films set in space.
What happens when games and social media infiltrate society to the point that we all become avatars and anonymous usernames?
Climate disaster films are an emerging genre that reflect people’s desire to cope with a changing planet through art. How will they affect public attitudes on climate change?
A philosophical assessment of the latest Star Trek films demonstrates their sophistication.
The race to bring the jetpack to market exemplifies some of the highs and lows of sci-fi inspired innovation.
We are approaching the time when robots in our daily lives will be making decisions about how to act. What guidelines should we give them?
Science fiction provides a valuable resource from which the public view of AI can be assessed.
How does one of the world’s most iconic science fiction television series depict women doing science?
Utopianism is a neglected prism through which to view Africa. It is the space where the intricacies of decolonisation and independence can be properly comprehended.
Some people love to pick holes in science fiction movies, such as Star Wars, especially when they stray from science fact. But does it really matter?
Science fiction has long warned of technology taking over the world. We’re increasingly connected to a digital world that’s growing, and more automated. So what if it starts to evolve?
Have you ever wondered what real scientists think of science fiction? Here’s a selection of top pics from those in the know.
The droids in the Star Wars universe often play a key role in the movies. But how close are they to some of the real robots in our own universe?
JJ Abrams made a terrible Star Trek film that perfectly prepared him to make a great Star Wars movie.
The alternate reality visualised in Star Wars is now potentially much closer to home.
Science fiction can be good at predictiong soem of the technologies of tomorrow. But designers take note: not all those ideas are welcome.
Top contributors
-
Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University
-
Professor, Director of the Centre for Robotics, Queensland University of Technology
-
Lecturer in Marketing, Lancaster University
-
Senior Lecturer in English, University of Liverpool
-
Lecturer in Comparative Literature, University of Kent
-
Associate professor, University of Johannesburg
-
Professor of Film Studies, Bangor University
-
Adjunct Research Fellow of The Cairns Institute, James Cook University
-
Director of Doctoral Programmes in Art & Design and Senior Lecturer in Culture & Context, Nottingham Trent University
-
Senior Instrument Scientist, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
-
Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Monash University
-
Space Plasma Physicist, Imperial College London
-
Professor in Robotics, Queensland University of Technology
-
Associate Professor in Archaeology and Space Studies, Flinders University
-
Dean of Science, University of California, Santa Cruz