Science Fiction and Computing: Essays on Interlinked Domains

by David L. Ferro (editor), Eric G Swedin (Editor)

The prevalence of science fiction readership among those who create and program computers is so well-known that it has become a cliche, but the phenomenon has remained largely unexplored by scholars. What role has science fiction played in the actual development of computers and computing? And likewise, how has computing (including the related fields of robotics and artificial intelligence) affected the course of science fiction? The 18 essays in this critical work explore the interrelationship of these domains over the span of more than half a century.

329 pages, ebook

First published May 17, 2011

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a good collection of essays on science fiction, it is a specialized look at the genre- but you could tell that from the title. The examination of science fiction through computer programming has its insights, salvation through cyberspace for instance, it is dreadfully dull. I read 6 essays for a paper I am working on and literally fell asleep reading this for an hour. So it had all the information you need, you just have to stay conscious to get it.