Science Fiction Film Comparison
In the world of science fiction, anything and everything that is imagined is possible. Aliens can travel across the galaxies and come to the earth and be aggressive or friendly depending upon the story being told. As fantastic as these works are, within even the most bizarre scenarios there is a grain of realism. Some pieces of science fiction, whether written literature, television, or films, have inspired real-world scientific progress. Communication and information sharing are just two examples of such advancements. hen examining two different science fiction films, The Day the Earth Stood Still from 1951 and I, Robot from 2004 show how the fictitious can inspire real-world technologies and technological advancements. Looking at these two movies, it can be noted how these fantastic works have inspired science, scientists, and the development of robots.
In the film The Day the Earth Stood Still a peaceful alien arrives on…...
mlaWorks Cited
The Day the Earth Stood Still. Dir. Robert Wise. Perf. Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal.
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp., 1951. DVD.
I, Robot. Dir. Alex Proyas. Perf. Will Smith and Bridget Moynahan. Fox Pathe Edition, 2004.
DVD.
Audiences and their equipment and expectations have changed, too. Many have DVs, streaming video, portable television, and certainly hi-def or plasma sets. Therefore, not only do they expect higher quality programming and effects, but network scheduling is now a moot point. Audiences can also engage in repeat viewings, watching and analyzing more attentively, which leads producers to create "increasingly sophisticated narrative worlds that sustain and reward intensive fan involvement on a variety of levels, a process particularly appropriate to the complex narrative worlds associated with SFTV series ranging from Star Trek to The X-Files to more recent shows such as Heroes and the remake of Battlestar Galactica (Telotte, 2008, 303).
Executives and media scholars believe the current state of television has reached a "tipping" point and the future of viewing and programming may evolve in a number of exciting, highly technological, and active audience involvement. From The Twilight Zone to the…...
mlaREFERENCES
Asimov, Isaac. (1952). "Definition of Science Fiction." In M. Wilson, "Definitions of Science Fiction." About.Com Guides, 2009, Cited in:
http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasy101/a/SCIFI_defs.htm
Booker, K. (2004). Science Fiction Television. Greenwood Press.
Davenport, M. (September 9, 2008). "Fringe Blinds Viewers With Science."The
Science Fiction Films
On September 11, 2001, many people reacted to the news reports as if these were advertisements for another Hollywood blockbuster like Independence Day. All of it seemed like a movie, including a scene with the WASP president addressing the nation in a moment of maximum danger. Not since December 7, 1941 had Americans felt so threatened on their own soil, although in general they had been spared the worst horrors of the 20th Century that so many other countries had experienced. This time, however, the movie was real and the outcome was not necessarily going to turn out like a Hollywood ending. Science fiction films like Blade Runner (1982) and The Matrix (1999) had certainly reflected various strains of fear, anxiety and paranoia in American culture and society. So had the bug-eyed monster (BEM) movies of the 1950s and 1960s, when nuclear war seemed a very likely possibility.…...
mlaLavery, David. "From Cinespace in Cyberspace: Zionists and Agents, Realists and Gamers in The Matrix and eXistenZ. Journal of Popular Film and Television, Vol. 29, No. 4, Winter 200, pp. 150-57.
Miller, Edward D. "The Matrix and the Medium's Message." Social Policy, Summer 2000, pp. 56-59.
Perkowitz, Sidney. "Our Violent Planet" in Sidney Perkowitz (ed) Hollywood Science: Movies, Science, and the End of the World. Columbia University Press, 2007, pp. 67-90.
SCIENCE FICTION & FEMINISM
Sci-Fi & Feminism
Origins & Evolution of Science Fiction
As with most things including literature, science fiction has progressed and changed a lot over the years. Many works of science fiction were simply rough copies and following the altready-established patterns of prior authors. However, there has always been authors and creators that push the envelope and forge new questions and storylines that have not been realized or conceptualized before. As it relates to science fiction, this started in earnest in the late 19th and early 20th century.
19th and early 20th Century
Given the amount of time that has passed since then, the science fiction visionaries of the 19th century are well-known to anyone that studies or follows the subject. Perhaps the most well-known name was that of Mary Shelley and her work Frankenstein as published in 1818. Many, but not all, people who are scholars of the science fiction genre…...
mlaReferences
Armitt, L. (1991). Where no man has gone before. London: Routledge.
Ascherton, N. (2015). Naomi Mitchison - a queen, a saint and a shaman | Columnists |
guardian.co.uk. Theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 March 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/Columnists/Column/0,5673,320853,00.html
Biography,. (2015). Biography.com. Retrieved 7 March 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/octavia-e-butler-38207
Science Fiction Novel: The Neuromancer, By William Gibson
William Gibson's The Neuromancer is particularly important for the relationship it depicts between science and society. The novel, published in 1984, is prescient in the fact that it portrays a world in which the most powerful proponents of technology are not the governments, but rather corporate entities driven by conventional notions of greed and self-serving hegemony (which are the same impetuses for most governments, interestingly enough). Yet there is a degree of relevance in this aspect of the novel that reverberates in contemporary society, particularly in light of today's economic crisis and illustrations of socio-economic abuse by corporations such as Enron. Quite simply, the degree of autonomy and influence that corporations are able to exact today are not possible without government intervention and aid. In Gibson's novel this process is alluded to the point of extremity, with corporations directly in control of the…...
science fiction novel: Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The most interesting facet of Philip Dick's novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, is its depiction of humanity and several crucial tenets that help to define it. Within the novel, humanity is akin to empathy, since one of the primary distinctions between the people and androids in it is that the former are capable of and the latter incapable of empathy. Yet what the novel ultimately alludes to is that human need to feel and express a range of emotions, something that most of the humans are not able to do, choosing to substitute honest emotion with pre-determined, synthesized ones.
This conflict of attempting to transcend limited emotions to the full range of emotions, which is the ultimate expression of humanity, is demonstrated by the characterization of Rick Deckard. Deckard -- whose job is to hunt androids posing as…...
In Mattapoisett, gender and ethnicity are not issues, there are no gender roles, men and women share all the work, and men are actually about to suckle the young, while women work in the fields and fight wars. Because there are no gender roles, love is shared by anyone who respect each other, in other words no one classed as homosexual or heterosexual, there are no boundaries concerning love.
Mattapoisett is self-sufficient, has no excess noise, infectious diseases, or pollution, and everything is recycled. Yet, this utopian society is not the only society that exists, for the pers must deal with a dystopian society, one that Piercy uses to portray the outcome for today's society if it continues unchecked. For it will be one of waste, pollution, violence, patriarchal, and totalitarian. It is basically the negative aspects of today's society magnified. In this dystopian society, every aspect of life is…...
mlaWorks Cited
Booker, Keith M. "The Feminist Dytopias of Marge Piercy." Science Fiction
Studies. 1994. Pp. 337, 339.
Morrow, Ed. "The Man Who Dreamed the Future: The imagination, prognostications, and politics of H.G. Wells." World and I. January 01, 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2005 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.
Piercy, Marge. Woman on the Edge of Time. Fawcett. 1985.
His attraction to her is dictated by his own immortal loneliness and the fact that she has sufficient power to destroy him. The danger in her thus calls to the danger in himself.
2. Both Sam in Lord of Light and Doro in Wild Seed function optimally as lone characters as a result of their specific ideology and physiology, respectively. Sam, as part of a crew from a technologically advanced space ship, chooses not to use the power of technology in the same way as his fellow earthlings. Instead he separates himself from them by becoming a champion of the oppressed masses. Thus his interaction with the aliens is more successful than his group consciousness in terms of his own people. Doro on the other hand is completely separated from humanity in that he is their killer. He thus is naturally alone and can come close to humanity only when…...
They are encountered in the workplace, in the home, in every facet of life. omen have made advances toward the equality they seek only to encounter a backlash in the form of religious fundamentalism, claims of reverse discrimination by males, and hostility from a public that thinks the women's movement has won everything it wanted and should thus now be silent. Both the needs of women today and the backlash that has developed derive from the changes in social and sexual roles that have taken place in the period since orld ar II.
It would be a mistake to see changing gender roles in society as threatening only to the males who dominate that society. Such changes also threaten many women who have accepted a more traditional role and who see any change as a threat. This response is not new. hen women first agitated for the vote at the…...
mlaWorks Cited
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. New York: Ballantine, 1985.
Bellamy, Edward. Looking Backward. New York: Amsco School Publicatons, 1990.
science fiction text analysis a science fiction story I send email. The followings included analysis. 1. Conven
There is little doubt that Adam Marek's "Without a Shell" is a story that belongs to the category of literature known as science fiction. The tale adheres to many conventions of this particular genre. One of the chief elements of many science fiction tales is the fact that they take place in the future. This story certainly takes place in the future, as denoted by the fact that it is called "futuristic" by Dr. Vino Dhanak. Moreover, the very nature of the plot of this tale revolves about scientific processes -- which is another hallmark of science fiction stories. The primary basis for this tale is that in the future, there are children who are wearing protective suits (designed for the military) that allow them to heal wounds at an exceedingly rapid rate.…...
Masculinism in Science Fiction
Science fiction has always been a masculine genre, no matter that Mary Shelley invented it in her novel Frankenstein. Until fairly recent times, most science fiction writers were men, and they dealt with subjects like technology, power, space battles, featuring male heroes, explorers and adventurers. In film, science fiction has been a perfect subject for ultra-masculine actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, although Lieutenant Ripley in the Alien trilogy proved that women could be masculine heroes as well and very effective at destroying hostile creatures that threaten humanity. Joe Haldeman's novel Forever Peace certainly fits within this conventional masculine narrative in science fiction, since the story is related by a male narrator named Sergeant Julian Class, an alienated soldier of the First orld who opposes his own government and society. He is a class type of alienated and disillusioned male hero who nevertheless hopes that the world can achieve…...
mlaWORKS CITED
Haldeman, Joe. Forever Peace. NY: Ace Books, 1997
LeGuin, Ursula. The Left Hand of Darkness. NY: Ace Books, 1967, 1987.
Evolution in Science Fiction
The idea of evolution is an inevitable process that any "living" being undergoes in order to adapt and survive in one's environment. Charles Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory in evolution becomes a major thematic display within the world of science fiction. By analyzing Steven Johnson's "The Myth of the Ant Queen," one can increase one's comprehension regarding science fiction writing and the aspect of evolution.
Johnson's "The Myth of the Ant Queen" takes a brief look at the civilized and organized structure of the ant society and compares it to the hustle and bustle of New York City's subway system. But this comparison is not the only theme found within Johnson's short essay. In fact, one can see where evolution plays a part regarding the ant society. The essay describes the movements and tasks of the harvester ants and debunks the "myth" that the general populace believes…...
What is Science Fiction?
Nightfall (Asimov, 1941)
Q1. What is different about the world of the story from the “normal” world? What elements make the world of the story seem strange and different from our own?
There are a number of elements in Nightfall that establish the planet’s difference from the normal world on earth. First, it is set on another planet, in a fictional universe. This universe is lighted by several, rather than one sun such as in our solar system. It is a place where there is endless daylight, and nightfall of any kind is viewed as catastrophic. The idea of night descending upon the planet is viewed as something conducive to mass hysteria and madness, and must be hidden from by the population of the planets’ citizens, like an end-of-the-world scenario.
Q2. What are the ways in which the author uses language that are characteristic of SF? Are there any words…...
The massive mollusks still do seem fantastical. Several of the irrational elements of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea seemed more outrageous in the 19th century they do now. However, the novel continues to encapsulate the fantasy and science fiction genres because of its willingness to expand the boundary of what is real. Interestingly, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea did not stretch those boundaries much further than hard science has.
On the other hand, novels such as the ones in the Twilight series are more squarely fantastical. Barring any major scientific discoveries, vampires and shape-shifters simply do not exist. Such elements of the absolutely impossible serve various literary functions. For instance, in New Moon Stephanie Meyer uses vampires and shape-shifters to develop the central character, a human being. As in Frankenstein, the impossible becomes the best means to explore human motivations, dreams, desires, and weaknesses.
Moreover, the fantasy elements are not inherently…...
Sci-Fi Art Analysis
The class text makes two passing references to Star Trek. ith that in mind, the author of this report will focus on the show Star Trek: The Next Generation. Although rather dated, much of the material and imagery used in the show is very good even by today's standards. The show ran from 1987 to 1994, seven seasons in total. The show was a brilliant piece of art both in terms of the subject matter they covered as well as the manner in which it was presented in terms of color, presentation, concepts and ideas. The show is rated a very high 8.7 on the International Movie Database (IMDb) website (IMDb). This brief report shall cover some aspects of the show, what made the show so good and the adeptness in which they blended the script, the imagery and the characters into a cohesive storyline. hile Star Trek:…...
mlaWorks Cited
Claremont. "The Politics of Star Trek." Claremont.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
IMDb. "Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series 1987-1994)." IMDb. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
IMDb. "The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)." IMDb. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Schneider, Bernd. "Ex Astris Scientia - Space Art in Star Trek: The Next Generation." Ex-astris-scientia.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
There are many different subtopics that could be addressed in an essay about genetics and heredity, from evolution to the nature versus nurture debate. Here are some catchy titles we thought of for some of those essays:
1. The Power of Imagination: Unleashing the Creative Mind
2. The Role of Imagination in Problem-Solving and Innovation
3. From Dreams to Reality: How Imagination Shapes our Lives
4. Nurturing Imagination in Children: The Key to a Bright Future
5. Imagination and Mental Health: Exploring the Therapeutic Effects
6. Imagination in Literature: The Art of Storytelling
7. Imagination in Science Fiction: Pushing the Boundaries of Possibility
8. The Intersection of Imagination and Technology: Creating a Better Tomorrow
9. Imagination and Education: Fostering Critical Thinking and Imagination
10. The Limitless Potential of Imagination: Building a Better World
11. The Connection Between Imagination and Empathy: Understanding Others Through Creativity
12. Beyond the Surface:....
Thesis statement: While both Star Wars and Star Trek are popular science fiction franchises, they differ significantly in terms of their themes, settings, and character development, ultimately appealing to distinct audiences. One potential direction for your thesis statement could be analyzing how each franchise approaches the concept of space exploration and the ethics of interstellar travel. Star Trek often focuses on diplomacy, exploration, and the ethical dilemmas that arise when encountering new civilizations, while Star Wars tends to prioritize adventure, conflict, and the struggle between good and evil. By exploring these differences in approach, you could argue how each franchise offers....
1. The Ethics of Human Cloning: A Controversial Debate
2. The Science and Technology Behind Human Cloning
3. The Potential Benefits and Dangers of Human Cloning
4. Examining the Legal and Moral Implications of Human Cloning
5. The Role of Religion in Shaping Views on Human Cloning
6. A Comparative Analysis of Human Cloning Policies Around the World
7. The Future of Human Cloning: Possibilities and Pitfalls
8. Human Cloning and Genetic Engineering: Where Do We Draw the Line?
9. The Psychological and Social Impact of Human Cloning on Society
10. Human Cloning: A Tool for Advancing Medical Research or a Slippery Slope towards Eugenics?
11. Ethical Considerations in Human....
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