Visions of the Future- Top 5 Eras Since the Golden Age

Around when I was researching the 1920s in sci-fi history, I wrote a similar post to this one about the various eras leading up to the “Golden Age” of sci-fi that lasted from the 1930s to the 1950s. Well, just like most sci-fi franchises these days, I’m updating that concept for the modern times.

Here are five eras of science fiction history after the “Golden Age”:

1. Space Age Optimism (Late 1950s- late 1960s)-

In spite of the threat of nuclear war, the western world still held out hope for a glorious future, where mankind had tamed the world with technology, and reached out for the stars. Star Trek: The Original Series is one of the best examples of this humanist ideology. Design and architecture were also influenced by this projection into the future. The pinnacle of this era of sci-fi history was probably the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, when real human beings fulfilled the prophecies of science fiction writers by setting out into space, and setting foot on the moon.

2. Space Age Pessimism (1970s)-

Man had been to space, and to the moon, and yet the world was still a fallen place. Sci-fi writers of the 1970s questioned the bright future that had previously envisioned through stories like Logan’s Run, and Alien. Science fiction might have slid further down into this dystopian cynicism were it not for a certain 1977 space fantasy that split the genre into two diverging paths.

3. Franchise Sci-fi/ Cyberpunk (1980s)-

After Star Wars, there was a saturation of space adventures like Battlestar Galactica in popular culture. Many creators followed Star Wars’ example, and attempted to build multi-faceted franchises that appealed to younger audiences. However, not all science fiction fell into this trend. A new sci-fi sub-genre called cyberpunk became popular with some. Blade Runner, the film based off of Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep”, is a good example of the fusion of high technology and the dark underbelly of society.

4. Nostalgia (1990s-2010s)-

The most recent trend in mainstream science fiction has been a return to the stories of our youth. I’m not saying that there have been no original ideas in the past twenty or so years. I’m only noticing the tendency to remake old material. The 1990s saw some great new ideas, such as Stargate, which took their cues from previous sci-fi and lovingly referenced it. More recently, we have seen continuations of older franchises, such as Star Wars, and an exorbitant amount of reboots and adaptations, such as the Star Trek reboots, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe adaptations of Marvel Comics’ stories. This isn’t all bad. In fact, some of these are very good stories that deserve to be brought back to public attention. However, it does leave one to wonder what the contribution of this generation will be to the future of the genre.

5. Metaphysical Focus? (2010s-?)

What does the future hold for science fiction? For many years now, science has been tied in with the secular, and science fiction has been considered a secular art. However, with the increasing religious tension in the world, and the quest of the millennial generation for metaphysical significance in life, it is becoming more and more evident that secularism isn’t going to lead us to that bright and shining future. To me, it seems that science fiction must incorporate spiritual elements as reality more and more in order to be honest about the world around us. I think that now is the prime time for Christians to break into the genre, and make an impact on the culture through sci-fi stories. Maybe I’m just an idealist, and need to hop in my time machine and go back to the 1950s, but I really do see an awakening in Christian geek culture that could lead to a new wave of literature, TV, and film that recognizes the truth of both the physical and metaphysical aspects of humanity.

What do you think of these categories? What do you think is coming next for science fiction? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Utopia Reaches for Us (Part 2 of 2)

  

 So, the last Wednesday post left us in a pretty bleak place. Humanity is always looking for a perfect society that deep inside we know we were built for. In and of ourselves, however, we just can’t find it. There’s the recap of the bad news.

    Here’s the good news.  God, who authored the ultimate and only utopia, desired to restore us to that utopia. His own Son died for this rescue, and then came supernaturally back to life to complete it.

    You see, when we were striving vainly for a perfect world, and trying to be our own gods, the true God was reaching down to us to fulfill our need for utopia.

    When we allow Him to take hold of our lives, (however that happens to work. I don’t know. Please don’t debate Calvinism with me right now. Maybe later.), We are transferred from the broken tyranny of sin that we sold ourselves into at the fall.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14, NKJV).

    Christ brings us into His restored utopia. Someday, all of us who receive Him will dwell in the  sheer and unbounded perfection of that Kingdom for all eternity. Let me tell you a bit about it:

It will be perfect-

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’” (Revelation 21:3-4).

    That’s right, perfect. All the problems and pain we’ve accumulated since we left Eden will be done away with .

It will fulfill us completely-

“ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4).

    It will satisfy all the desires we were originally created to have, and our true life will be revealed!

It  will be all of us-

“And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it” (Revelation 21:24).

    Members of every culture will be a part of this heavenly community-male and female. Our favorite humanist sci-fi authors so often long for this. What they don’t realize is that only in God can the best in every culture, and both genders, be brought together. He is the one who created them, after all.

It goes into eternity, and we are part of it right now-

“ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

    We really don’t belong to this messed up world anymore. We were rescued in a time-transcending rescue plan, remember, remember? So, now, we are aliens on earth- members of a truly perfect world trying to spread the truth to other humans. That is cool. In fact, I don’t think there’s anything that can make a geeky heart, (or any heart), happier.

    This all sounds like the ultimate utopia to me. God does it way better than we do. And by His grace, utopia reaches down to us.

Be encouraged! I'd love to hear any questions or comments (other than Calvinism debates), down in the comment section!
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora