Splintered Science Fiction
I've been thinking about how to sub-divide my science fiction books. The categories I see most people use ("Hard" vs "Soft," or "Space Opera," "Military SF," and the like) don't really work for me. They're too subjective and hard to define.
After a lot of thought I think I've come up with one story characteristic that is always a question in science fiction, but can be objectively evaluated: how far from Earth has human civilization spread? This also has the advantage of being similar to the trait I used for my Fantasy categories.
So, these are the categories I'll be using:
- Earthbound Human civilization only exists on Earth. There may be a tiny research presence on other bodies or artificial stations, but if an extinction level event happens to the planet the species is toast. Examples: The real world.
- Earth System There are significant numbers of people living in a permanent settlement on the moon or in other (natural or artificial) satellites orbiting Earth. The species might survive an extinction event, but not easily. Examples: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
- Sol System Humanity has spread through a significant portion of this star system, but has no significant presence around any other stars. The species would survive most disasters that only affect Earth, but is still vulnerable to Sol going nova or a similar disaster. Examples: ? (Can't think of any right now.)
- Local Systems Humanity has settlements at some of the nearer star systems, but has not spread into the majority of the Milky Way galaxy. Examples: ? (I'm drawing a blank at the moment.)
- Galactic Humanity has spread throughout this galaxy, but not beyond it. Examples: Dune by Frank Herbert
- Inter-Galactic Humanity has a significant presence in multiple galaxies. Examples: ? (still blanking)
Comments? Suggestions? Examples? (I'll edit examples of my own in as I think of them.)
After a lot of thought I think I've come up with one story characteristic that is always a question in science fiction, but can be objectively evaluated: how far from Earth has human civilization spread? This also has the advantage of being similar to the trait I used for my Fantasy categories.
So, these are the categories I'll be using:
- Earthbound Human civilization only exists on Earth. There may be a tiny research presence on other bodies or artificial stations, but if an extinction level event happens to the planet the species is toast. Examples: The real world.
- Earth System There are significant numbers of people living in a permanent settlement on the moon or in other (natural or artificial) satellites orbiting Earth. The species might survive an extinction event, but not easily. Examples: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
- Sol System Humanity has spread through a significant portion of this star system, but has no significant presence around any other stars. The species would survive most disasters that only affect Earth, but is still vulnerable to Sol going nova or a similar disaster. Examples: ? (Can't think of any right now.)
- Local Systems Humanity has settlements at some of the nearer star systems, but has not spread into the majority of the Milky Way galaxy. Examples: ? (I'm drawing a blank at the moment.)
- Galactic Humanity has spread throughout this galaxy, but not beyond it. Examples: Dune by Frank Herbert
- Inter-Galactic Humanity has a significant presence in multiple galaxies. Examples: ? (still blanking)
Comments? Suggestions? Examples? (I'll edit examples of my own in as I think of them.)