Exploring the Subgenres of Science Fiction

Science fiction (SF) is a genre that often blurs the lines between subgenres, making it unique compared to other literary forms. While every author is expected to innovate and create their own sub-genre, particularly within SF, the Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness provides a structured way to classify stories based on their reliance on scientific accuracy and realism.

The Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness

The Mohs Scale, named after (appropriately enough) the mineral that measures hardness, offers a precise way to fit books along a spectrum from hard SF to soft SF. Hard SF emphasizes realism and scientific accuracy, blending pure science with its narrative. On the other end, soft SF or 'science fiction in name only' focuses more on exploring thematic aspects rather than strict scientific rigor. This includes the vast majority of TV shows and films that portray science-fiction elements but fall short on detailed scientific foundations.

Examples like Nightfall, a short story, and Star Trek, Doctor Who, and occasionally Star Wars, while visually striking, often lean more towards space fantasy than strict science fiction. Their special effects and models create an illusion of scientific accuracy, but they lack the rigorous scientific basis that characterizes true SF. True SF relies heavily on scientific principles or the scientific method as a driving force for the plot, such as Foundation by Isaac Asimov, which is deceptively soft in its approach, focusing more on the scientific and sociological implications of its work despite the TV series being slightly different.

Blending with Other Genres

One of the fascinating aspects of science fiction is its tendency to blend with other genres. Many authors and creators pair SF with other forms of storytelling to create engrossing narratives. This blending often gives rise to named subgenres, even though these subgenres can be a mix of SF and other elements:

Military SF

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein is a classic example of military SF, but much of the genre falls under the category of 'science fiction in name only'. This subgenre involves military themes and conflicts on interstellar or galactic scales, but may often delve into more fantastical elements that do not adhere strictly to scientific realism.

Steampunk

Steampunk emerged from The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, marrying Victorian era aesthetics and steam-powered technology with a blend of futuristic elements. However, much of what is labeled as steampunk is more about aesthetic and thematic aspects than actual scientific plausibility. This subgenre often subverts traditional SF by using anachronistic technology and a more romantic or nostalgic portrayal of the past, rather than providing a believable or grounded scientific environment.

Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk began with Neuromancer by William Gibson, establishing a gritty and dystopian future where technology, especially information and computer networks, plays a central role. Eastern cyberpunk, as seen in films like Akira, also draws on this aesthetic, but does so in a way that often emphasizes the artifice over substance. The Matrix is a notable exception, as it is one of few true SF films, though its sequels may be seen as veering away from the original's scientific rigor.

Dystopian

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is the quintessential dystopian novel, setting the stage for political fictional futures. Many subsequent dystopian novels, by writers like Fahrenheit 451 and The Handmaid's Tale, follow a similar pattern, often contrasting with the original political science foundation. While these books are sometimes described as SF, they more often recount a future world with political and social upheavals rather than scientific breakthroughs or limitations.

Comedy SF and Other Subgenres

Science fiction can also seamlessly blend with comedy, as seen in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or with other genres like detective, alternate history, and literary works. Examples include the Stainless Steel Rat series, which is a clever blend of comedy and adventure, and The Hunger Games, which combines elements of dystopian literature and YA fiction. The Man in the High Castle delves into alternate history SF, while The Caves of Steel and its sequels explore grand political SF, and The Inheritors delves into prehistoric SF, offering a rich tapestry of intersection and innovation.

As the boundaries of science fiction continue to evolve and expand, these subgenres remain an important and dynamic part of the genre, offering opportunities for exploration, critique, and pure enjoyment.