The Science In Science Fiction: 83 SF Predictions That Became Scientific Reality

by Robert W. Bly

Science fiction fans and technology buffs will treasure this guide to the sci-fi ideas that have influenced and inspired scientific advances in the real world. Many of the most fascinating ideas in science originated not in the laboratory but in the minds of such science fiction writers as Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury. The former's 1945 article on communications satellites was the original idea behind modern satellites; the latter's "Martian Chronicles" has been attributed as the main inspiration behind NASA's many missions to Mars. From bionics to black holes and warp factors to worm holes, this is the quintessential guide to the many links between science fiction and science reality.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

367 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 2005

About the author

Bob Bly is a freelance copywriter with 4 decades of experience in direct response and business-to-business marketing. He is the author of 100 published book on topics ranging from science, sex, satire, and science fiction -- to small business, writing, advertising, and online marketing. McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly “America’s top copywriter.”

Reviews

[Mehrad Rousta · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب به طرز خوبی میاد و تک تک موضوعاتی که توی فهرستش مشخص کرده رو در بخش زیادی از ادبیات و آثار علمی‌تخیلی که از قرن ۱۹ تا سال ۲۰۰۵ (سال انتشار کتاب) بررسی می‌کنه و اشارات و پیشرفت‌های علمی اون موضوع رو گردآوری می‌کنه. به طور کلی کتاب خوبی بود اما نویسنده این کتاب فرد عجیبیه. تقریبا تمام کتاب‌های دیگه‌ای که نوشته در مورد بازاریابی و شعار‌های تبلیغاتی و قص علی هذا.

کتاب بیشتر از ۸۰ موضوع رو بررسی می‌کنه و که هر موضوع بین دو تا ۱۵ صفحه است. نسخه‌ای که دارم از انتشارات مازیار هست و فکر نمی‌کنم نسخه دیگه‌ای از این کتاب به فارسی ترجمه شده باشه. ترجمه کتاب هیچ گونه پانویسی نداره و هیچ کلمه‌ای که ترجمه شده به انگلیسی موجود نیست! همینجا از عمه‌ی نویسنده یک تشکر ویژه می‌کنم که کار ما برای جست و جوی نویسنده‌ها یا اسم کتاب‌های معرفی شده رو سخت کرده!

با اینکه خیلی اوقات کتاب صرفا یک سری اطاعات خسته کننده رو شاید بده،‌ اما از آشنایی که با نویسندگان ادبیات علمی تخیلی پیدا کردم خوشحالم و یک لیست بلند بالایی هم از اسم نویسندگان و کتاب‌هایی که جذاب به نظر اومد در آوردم (در وبلاگم منتشر خواهم کرد) که از این بابت از کتاب متشکرم.

[Bridgitte · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cool concept...lists of texts that predicted real-world science. The lists are really incomplete, though. I did find a few short stories I'll read.

[Edna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice list of old science fiction stories. Considering having my science class read a sci-fi book so it gave me a large list to offer.

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Ray Bradbury, although sometimes derided by the hardcore “hard” science fiction fans, inspired millions with his fantastic tales about Mars. Some of those he inspired ended up becoming scientists, whose intellectual fires, first kindled by Bradbury, eventually had practical applications.
Science fiction, then, can have an effect on science reality. Sometimes it inspires it, acting as a driving force, while at other times, it acts more as a predictor. Sometimes the predictions are fairly wide of the mark, while other times they are eerily on the nose, almost prescient.
A very informative and entertaining book could be written on the subject of the relationship between science fiction and science fact. Unfortunately, “The Science In Science Fiction” ain’t it. Yes, the book is entertaining enough, but it’s not too informative, and is ultimately pretty facile.
Part of the problem is that it is arranged alphabetically, with a handful of entries for each letter. Sometimes—as in the case of less-used letters—there’s only one entry. This categorization could have worked if the book were longer and thus a solid reference material. Most of the entries are only thumbnail-sized in length; a few concepts, like Heinlein’s “Waldos” rate only a paragraph or two. Some of the concepts treated—again, in only the most cursory and glancing fashion—are a real stretch. They’re probably no closer to being a reality now than they were when Hugo Gernsback was selling anti-zeppelin insurance in the back of his speculative pulps.
This is ultimately the kind of book that’s best left on the water tank in the bathroom, and read in small bursts. After that, it’s best used either as a doorstop or something to add to the pile that goes to the used bookstore when it gets too big too fit on the shelf. Meh.