Robert Heinlein

Sci-Fi Suggests That We Can’t Run Away From Our Problems, Even If We Go to Space

Sci-Fi Suggests That We Can’t Run Away From Our Problems, Even If We Go to Space

ByJoelle Renstrom

Last week, Elon Musk shared SpaceX’s vision to put humans on Mars and eventually start a colony. Colonizing Mars is an appealing idea, especially among those, such as Stephen Hawking, who believe our future as a species relies on our ability to become interplanetary. In science fiction, off-Earth colonies often have disheartening results.

Just Suppose: Poetry for Fans of Speculative Fiction

Just Suppose: Poetry for Fans of Speculative Fiction

ByColleen Abel

Robert Heinlein, the prolific author of Starship Troopers and other sci-fi works, coined the term “speculative fiction” in 1947. In the essay, Heinlein defines “speculative fiction” as “the story embodying the notion ‘Just suppose—’ or ‘What would happen if—’.” For Heinlein, this narrative hypothesis creates “a new framework for human action.”