Social Science Fiction' in Asimov's work
'Social Science Fiction' in Asimov's workScience fiction is a term familiar to many people. This is especially true due to the tremendous influence of television. But the term "social science fiction," although not heard too often, is a term is descriptive of most of today's science fiction literature. Social science fiction is the term given to literature "which is concerned with the impact of scientific advance upon human beings."(1) It is to be set apart from the adventure or "gadget" science fiction which is characterized by simplistic plots and flat characters. Social science fiction is concerned with the problems presented to humanity by technology and science. This theme can be seen readily throughout many of Isaac Asimov's science fiction works. But, Mr. Asimov was not too concerned with the problems of atomic power or overpopulation when he was three years old. Asimov was born in Russia in the year 1920. He and his parents emigrated to the United States when Isaac was three years old. Upon arriving, young Asimov wasted little time in beginning his writing career. He had taught himself to read and by the age of seven, he had his ow
Carter, Paul A. The Creation of Tomorrow. (New York : Colombia University Press, 1977)Asimov's first novel ever published, Pebble in the Sky, dealt with issues that were prevalent during the late '40's and has begun to reappear in todays society, prejudice. Probably the most important theme presented in this story though is the idea, "Is man really in control?"(9) In the story, the Machines have taken over and now control Earth's economic resources. Asimov tells us that if we are not careful, our own technology may take us over. Knight, Damon. The Futurians. (New York : John Day, 1977)(2) Fiedler, Jean and Mele, Jim. Isaac Asimov. (New York : Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1982) pg. 3.Pebble in the Sky is set in the far future. Earth has been plagued with atomic war and is now a decaying, radioactive husk of a planet. Man has spread out and colonized the galaxy. The beginnings of a Galactic Empire are at hand. On Earth live the outcasts of the galactic society. The Outer Worlds, as the colonies are called, look upon the people of Earth with disgust, seeing them as "repulsive carriers of radioactivity." This prejudice towards the people remaining on Earth stretches even into the bureaucracy: soldiers are em- ployed to keep the Earth people from emigrating to the other worlds of the galaxy.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Squires Sark, Galactic Empire, Elmer Fudd, United Isaac, School Medicine, Asimov's Social, Wonder Stories, Pebble Sky, Foundation Trilogy, Schwartz Schwartz, science fiction, isaac asimov, social science, social science fiction, foundation trilogy, 1977 pg, asimov york, isaac asimov york, fiction isaac, university press, fiction isaac asimov, co 1977, science fiction isaac, martin harry, asimov york taplinger,
Approximate Word count = 2880
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
