Science Fiction Futurologies

What does Science Fiction (SF) have to do with the future? Many stories of the genre are set in the future and are consulted to reflect on possible developments. In regard to new technologies or societal changes, the media often quotes SF novels or asks SF authors for their assessments. Futurology and SF have a common and entwined history. At the same time, many writers and fans emphasize that SF stories should not be read as prophecies, but as comments on the present. After all, the allure of SF as a genre is not its accurate depiction of obvious trends, but its quirky, eccentric and improbable worldbuilding. To safeguard the artistic freedom of SF, many writers, fans and critics are sceptical of a too narrow realism and about defining SF as literature of foresight. Science Fiction Futurologies sheds light on this tension by addressing the question of whether and how literary speculation can help us think about the future. Julia Grillmayr looks at current US-American projects that systematically bring SF literature and methods of futurology together. In these projects, short stories are written and published that are in line with traditions of SF but also have a certain futurological ambition, in the sense that they should reveal something about the future. The notion of scenario and methods of scenario planning serve as a contrast medium in this analysis. Scenarios are an important tool in futurology. They are narrative but non-literary texts that briefly describe possible situations and developments and can be compared to each other. What distinguishes the above- mentioned short stories from such scenarios? What role plays the artistic expression, and the genre conventions of SF in this kind of futurology? Do fantastic elements have a place in descriptions of possible futures? Based on these questions, Science Fiction Futurologies sheds light on the common goals and histories of SF and futurology, but also on what distinguishes these fields and what makes SF unique as an art form and as a genre with lively fan communities and practices.

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