Earth in Science Fiction

Earth In Science Fiction

An overwhelming majority of fiction is set on or features the Earth. However, authors of speculative fiction novels and writers and directors of science fiction film deal with Earth quite differently from authors of conventional fiction. Unbound from the same ties that bind authors of traditional fiction to the Earth, they can either completely ignore the Earth or use it as but one of many settings in a more complicated universe, exploring a number of common themes through examining outsiders perceptions of and interactions with Earth.

Read more about Earth In Science Fiction:  Common Themes, Earth As Presented in Various Works

Famous quotes containing the words earth in, earth, science and/or fiction:

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