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Metempsychosis of the machine: science fiction in the halls of karma

Article Abstract:

Science fiction (SF) represents, in more ways than one, the fiction of economic imperialism whether in liberalist protest or as expansionist apologia. In the 1960s when SF other worlds travel was at its height, the images of the alien world/culture/peoples were recognizably those of Asia. In the following decades, this representation gradually became politically incorrect. In the 1990s, political correctness required multiculturalism and gender equality in fictional representation. However, all these do not explain why there still are so few writers of color in SF.

Social aspects, Science, Imperialism in literature, Imperialism, Literature and science

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Before and after 'The Battle of Dorking.' (future-war stories)

Article Abstract:

Caspar Weinberger and Peter Schweizer collaborated on the five scenarios of possible conflict in 'The Next War,' which was published in 1996. In 1871, Sir George Tomkyns Chesney wrote a short story, 'The Battle of Dorking,' which was featured in the May issue of 'Blackwood's Magazine.' It so affected the reading public that it became a best selling pamphlet and Chesney also had to write a quasi-history to frame the battle. The Weinberger-Schweizer scenarios can be classified under the same genre as the Chesney story.

Psychological aspects, Evaluation, Criticism and interpretation, Wars, War and literature, Future in literature, Futuristic society, Future in popular culture

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