Social Science Fiction

What is Social Science Fiction?

Science Fiction (Sci Fi) is epic, it is varied, it is imaginative, it is rational, and it has something for everyone. Sci Fi, while itself a genre, can be divided further into sub-genres each with its own specific features. In fact, most Sci Fi stories pull attributes from multiple sub-genres which can make it difficult to describe one story, book, or movie as a single sub-genre. Nonetheless, to have a firm grasp of the genre a knowledge of its sub-genres is advised.

Thus, let the exploration begin with a sub-genre that is so pervasive in today's Sci Fi that some theorists do not even consider it a sub-genre anymore because its attributes are so embedded in the genre as a whole.

Social Sci Fi is primarily concerned with the often problematic effects of technology and science on humans and human society. Isaac Asimov defined Social Sci Fi in 1953 as one of three possible plots for a science fiction story (the others are gadget and adventure). What sets this sub-genre apart is that the futuristic technology the story centers around is already present and its presence is the driving force of the plot. The Social Sci Fi story is a vehicle for the author to comment on human society as it is effected by technology and science.

In a Social Sci Fi story the society is different than ours, but not so different. The focus is on the human condition, so aliens are at a minimum. When aliens do exist they are a foil for humans, an antagonist to move the plot forward, or metaphorically represent another type of human society.

In short, Social Sci Fi is sociological speculation rather than scientific speculation (no epic laser battles here).

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