Short SF is the website where I review every Science Fiction Short Story anthology and collection that I read.
Austin Beeman
Science Fiction is the branch of Science that tests hypotheses through storytelling instead of experimentation.
““My breakthrough personally was when I realized that Science Fiction can be considered a way of doing Science, instead of a type of literature.””
In the Scientific Method, the investigator looks at the facts of the world, makes a hypothesis based on those facts, makes a prediction based on the hypothesis, and then tests that hypothesis through experimentation.
In the Science Fiction Method, the investigator looks at the facts of the world, makes a hypothesis and prediction based on those facts, and tests the viability of that prediction through storytelling.
In Science, the investigator is asking if something is true and is commenting upon our universe.
In Science Fiction, the investigator is asking if something is plausible, interesting, fascinating, exciting, or fun … and is commenting on the universe, human nature, or both.
Science and Science Fiction will not necessarily come to the same conclusions.
A Scientific Theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts.
A Science Fictional Theory is an explanation, trope, or explanation that has repeatedly been accepted by the readers and writers of the genre. It doesn’t have to be an accurate depiction of the real world, just something so frequently accepted by readers that it has become axiomatic and no longer requires a defense by writers.
Examples of Science Fictional Theories would include:
Faster Than Light Travel
Canals on Mars
Aliens that Speak English
Time Travel
Uploading Human Minds into a Computer
There is nothing more scientifically minded than trying to classify and find definitions of things. For a genre with Science in the name, it would be reasonable to try and define things.
It also explains unique character of the Science Fiction genre. Interesting ideas and intelligent speculation can often be more important than the classic aspect of literature: character, dialogue, and prose sophistication.
While all of those techniques are welcome in Science Fiction, they aren’t necessary and many of the iconic works of the genre don’t include them.
At least for me, this definition helps explain why.