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Speculative fiction is an umbrella phrase encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres , specifically science fiction , fantasy , horror , supernatural fiction , superhero fiction , utopian and dystopian fiction , apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction , and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.
It has been around since humans began to speak. The earliest forms of speculative fiction were likely mythological tales told around the campfire. Speculative fiction deals with the "What if?" scenarios imagined by dreamers and thinkers worldwide. Journeys to other worlds through the vast reaches of distant space; magical quests to free worlds enslaved by terrible beings; malevolent supernatural powers seeking to increase their spheres of influence across multiple dimensions and times; all of these fall into the realm of speculative fiction.
Speculative fiction as a category ranges from ancient works to cutting edge , paradigm -changing, and neotraditional works of the 21st century. It can be recognized in works whose authors' intentions or the social contexts of the versions of stories they portrayed is now known. For example, Ancient Greek dramatists such as Euripides , whose play Medea (play) seemed to have offended Athenian audiences when he fictionally speculated that shamaness Medea killed her own children instead of their being killed by other Corinthians after her departure. The play Hippolytus , narratively introduced by Aphrodite , is suspected to have displeased contemporary audiences of the day because it portrayed Phaedra as too lusty.
In historiography , what is now called speculative fiction has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction ," and other similar names. It is extensively noted in the literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta , English fairy Puck , and Roman god Cupid all together in the fairyland of its Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream . In mythography it has been termed "mythopoesis" or mythopoeia , "fictional speculation", the creative design and generation of lore, regarding such works as J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of the Rings . Such supernatural , alternate history , and sexuality themes continue in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre.
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Zenna Chlarson Henderson (November 1, 1917 – May 11, 1983) was an American elementary school teacher and science fiction and
fantasy author. Her first story was published in
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in 1951. Her work is cited as pre-feminist, often featuring middle-aged women, children, and their relationships, but with stereotyped gender roles. Many of her stories center around human aliens called "The People", who have special powers. Henderson was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1959 for her novelette
Captivity . Science fiction authors
Lois McMaster Bujold ,
Orson Scott Card ,
Connie Willis ,
Dale Bailey , and
Kathy Tyers have cited her as an influence on their work. (
Full article... )
Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS ) is an American animated science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry . It originally aired simply under the title Star Trek , subtitled Created by Gene Roddenberry , on Saturday mornings from September 8, 1973 to October 12, 1974 on NBC , spanning 22 episodes over two seasons. The second series in the Star Trek franchise, it features mostly the same characters as Star Trek: The Original Series . Set in the 23rd century, the series follows the further adventures of the Starship USS Enterprise as it explores the galaxy.
After the cancellation of The Original Series (TOS ) in 1969, the live-action show proved popular in syndication and generated significant fan enthusiasm. This resulted in Roddenberry's decision to continue the series in animated form. Much of the original cast returned to provide voices for their characters. Series writers David Gerrold and D. C. Fontana characterized The Animated Series as effectively a fourth season of The Original Series . After the conclusion of The Animated Series , the adventures of the characters continued in live-action theatrical films, beginning with the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture . (Full article... )
“
The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy.
”
—Lionel Trilling (1905-1975), The Liberal Imagination (1950).
Fourth of Henry Holiday's original illustrations to "The Hunting of the Snark" by Lewis Carroll.
Fourth of Henry Holiday's original illustrations to "The Hunting of the Snark " by Lewis Carroll .
From Fit the Second: The Bellman's Speech. This shows the Bellman's map, which, being blank, is equally useful everywhere, unlike normal maps:
"Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!
But we've got our brave Captain to thank"
(So the crew would protest) "that he's brought us the best--
A perfect and absolute blank!"
Cover of the August 15, 1919 issue; artwork by Sidney H. Riesenberg
The Thrill Book was a U.S. pulp magazine published by Street & Smith in 1919. It was intended to carry "different" stories: this meant stories that were unusual or unclassifiable, which in practice often meant the stories were fantasy or science fiction . The first eight issues, edited by Harold Hersey , were a mixture of adventure and weird stories . Contributors included Greye La Spina , Charles Fulton Oursler , J. H. Coryell, and Seabury Quinn . Hersey was replaced by Ronald Oliphant with the July 1 issue, probably because Street & Smith were unhappy with his performance.
Oliphant printed more science fiction and fantasy than Hersey had done, though this included two stories by
Murray Leinster which Hersey had purchased before being replaced. The most famous story from
The Thrill Book is
The Heads of Cerberus , a very early example of a novel about alternative time tracks, by
Francis Stevens . Oliphant was given a larger budget than Hersey, and was able to acquire material by popular writers such as
H. Bedford-Jones , but he was able to produce only eight more issues before the end came. The last issue was dated October 15, 1919; the magazine was probably cancelled because of poor sales, although a printers' strike at that time may have been a factor. (
Full article... )
August 11 :
Births
Deaths
1955 - Robert W. Wood (b. 1868), an American physicist and inventor, and science, science fiction, and children's author
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Science fiction (task force ): The 4400 , Babylon 5 , Battlestar Galactica , Doctor Who , Firefly , Futurama , G.I. Joe , Heroes , Hitchhiker's Guide , Life on Mars , Lost , Pokémon , Red Dwarf , Star Trek , Star Wars , Stargate , Superman , Transformers , Twilight Zone .
Fantasy : Artemis Fowl , Discworld , Fabelhaven , Harry Potter , Highlander , His Dark Materials , Inheritance Cycle , Lemony Snicket , Middle-Earth , Narnia , Oz , Percy Jackson , Redwall , Roald Dahl , Shannara , A Song of Ice and Fire , Warriors .
Horror : Buffy , Twilight .
Other and related: Animation , Anime and manga , Balzac , Children's literature , Comics , Disney , Machinima , Games (Board and tabletop games , Warhammer 40K , RPGs (D&D ), Video games (Square Enix )).
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Aarambham (2024 film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Jayanthkumar123 (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 95
Silène Edgar (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by PetiPandaRou (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 20
El Eternauta: segunda parte (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Cambalachero (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 20
Fear Street Part Three: 1666 (soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.85.99 (talk · contribs · new pages (10) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 40
Christian Stavrakis (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Phasmos (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 40
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.85.99 (talk · contribs · new pages (10) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 40
Fear Street Part One: 1994 (soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.85.99 (talk · contribs · new pages (10) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 60
Ultra 85 (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Lowryder71 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-08-09, score: 40
A Quiet Teacher (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Reading Beans (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-08-08, score: 20
The Doloriad (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by MakoDan (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-08-08, score: 120
Andrew de Burgh (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Jeffreygerald5550 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-08-08, score: 40
Honeymoon Phase (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Paul2520 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 40
Honey Watson (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by MakoDan (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 40
Sword Art Online Abridged (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 85.12.30.211 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 80
Big Bad Wolves (soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.86.6 (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 40
Mekton Wars 1: Invasion Terra (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by BOZ (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 25
The Stallion Houssan (Sudanese folktale) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KHR FolkMyth (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-08-06, score: 20
The Girl as Soldier (Russian folktale) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KHR FolkMyth (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-08-05, score: 20
Until Dawn (film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KingArti (talk · contribs · new pages (9) ) started on 2024-08-05, score: 100
The Mummy (1999 soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.86.6 (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-08-05, score: 40
Buddy (2024 film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by DareshMohan (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-08-05, score: 20
Outer Darkness (comics) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mi Manni (talk · contribs · new pages (7) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 25
Murtagh (novel) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by TechnoSquirrel69 (talk · contribs · new pages (18) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 40
The Padisah's Youngest Daughter and Her Donkey-Skull Husband (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KHR FolkMyth (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 20
The Sandman (podcast) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by TipsyElephant (talk · contribs · new pages (10) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 20
Farewell Horizontal (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Jpom (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 40
Lovers' Meeting (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Lord Cornwallis (talk · contribs · new pages (59) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 30
Rashmeet Kaur (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Siraj1989 (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 20
President of the United States in fiction (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by BD2412 (talk · contribs · new pages (869) ) started on 2024-08-04, score: 20
Shadowdark (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Nodicenomasters (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-08-03, score: 20
Existential risk studies (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by JoaquimCebuano (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-08-02, score: 35
Beyond Fest (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Grenz (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 100
Making a Stand (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mjks28 (talk · contribs · new pages (18) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 20
Night Has Come (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SafariScribe (talk · contribs · new pages (176) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 40
Amar Chadha-Patel (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Starklinson (talk · contribs · new pages (16) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 80
Sunburnt Unicorn (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Bearcat (talk · contribs · new pages (99) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 20
Lost in the Moment and Found (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 40
Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Bocahgabut (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 40
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 60
Lost In the Moment and Found (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 60
Across the Green Grass Fields (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-31, score: 60
Kibaraka (Swahili folktale) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KHR FolkMyth (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 20
28 Days Later (film series) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Ozzie10aaaa (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 120
RZR (TV series) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Sugarrayeverymorning (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 40
Addio fottuti musi verdi (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Alienautic (talk · contribs · new pages (37) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 65
Ali K. Mulford (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Nosferattus (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 40
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 2A0A:EF40:26:CF01:A138:22C7:9984:62D0 (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 60
Come Tumbling Down (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 80
In an Absent Dream (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 60
Beneath the Sugar Sky (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 60
Down Among the Sticks and Bones (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 80
Every Heart a Doorway (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Significa liberdade (talk · contribs · new pages (90) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 85
ParaNorman (soundtrack) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 223.178.85.232 (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 40
Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Notcharizard (talk · contribs · new pages (9) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 20
The Oppenheimer Alternative (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Bruce1ee (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 40
Kaijū-iro no Shima (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SimonLagann (talk · contribs · new pages (14) ) started on 2024-07-30, score: 20
Bertrand Méheust (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Rjjiii (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 20
Yūsha Party o Tsuihō Sareta Shiro Madōshi, S-Rank Bōkensha ni Hirowareru (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Tebus19 (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 20
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Flabshoe1 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 50
Download (OVA) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Beqwk (talk · contribs · new pages (97) ) started on 2024-07-29, score: 20
Valerie LaPointe (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by PrinceArchelaus (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-07-28, score: 20
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