Hard Science Fiction HQ

Welcome to the group that focuses on fictional works that focus on the word SCIENCE when it comes to science fiction. This is the place for fans of the genre to express their interest and find the authors, books, and movies that they enjoy. Do you have a lens that fits into this category? If you do, feel free to join the group. If you love an author, book, or movie that belongs here, become a lensmaster (if you're not already one) and create a lens about it. It's free and easy!

So, What is "Hard" Science Fiction?

The answer is more elusive than you might think

Different people have different ideas about what the definition of hard science fiction is. Wikipedia defines it like this: "Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both." I tend to think of it as fiction that presents its readers with plausible ideas. They don't necessarily have to be proven theories. But the idea should adhere to the current understanding of natural laws.

Hard Sci Fi at it's Best

Check out the lenses on these authors

featured lens Robert J Sawyer

If you like science fiction that is believable, entertaining, and thought provoking all at the same time - then check out the works of Robert J Sawyer! His books are filled with good characters, well-devoloped theories, and engaging plotlines. I disc...

featured lens John Varley

John Varley is a science fiction writer with several Hugo and Nebula awards to his credit.  He has produced a wide array of short story collections and novels in his career. His most recent novel is ROLLING THUNDER, the sequel to RED LIGHTNING an...

featured lens Philip K Dick

The first time I encountered Philip K Dick was in the 10th grade when I was working at the local library as a clerk. I spent most of my time "working" actually holed up in the stacks reading books. One of those books was Do Androids Dream o...

featured lens Robert A. Heinlein : Science Fiction Master

His name evokes awe and reverence among science fiction fans and writers alike. I read my first book by Robert Heinlein (pronounced hineline) in my early 20's and have been an avid fan ever since. That's when I began voraciously reading everything wr...

featured lens William Gibson

Wiliam Gibson came to widespread attention with his 1984 novel NEUROMANCER, winning both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.  The word and concept of "cyberspace" was invented by him.

Recent Additions

Create a lens for the group and get listed here!

featured lens H.G. Wells - Novelist

Some of the first books I read when in Junior High--and those that kept me awake at night turning pages--were from the imagination of H.G. Wells.  His fascinating stories are well-written, well thought out, and have excellent plots and settings....

featured lens Kevin J. Anderson, Novelist

Kevin J. Anderson brings a lot of background to his writing. I met him when we were working as technical editor-writers at Livermore National Laboratory. At the time, his writing resonated with me because much of what he describes in his&nb...

featured lens Michael Crichton - MD, Archeology, Dinosaurs, and Time Travel

Whether it's bioengineered and cloned dinosaurs, intelligent nanoparticles, space-borne mutating viruses, diamond-mines guarded by mutant gorillas, airplane crash investigations, time-travel by archeologists, or robotic cowboys, or climate change and...

featured lens Lazarus Long

One of Robert A Heinlein's most lovable characters is undoubtedly Lazarus Long. This man is a rugged individualist and an eccentric non-comformist. He has a unique perspective on the human condition, the character of individual people, and the human...

featured lens Jules Verne - Novelist and Futurist

From the first time I read Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, I was hooked. Much of his imaginative ideas in his writings have come true--including nuclear submarines and space flight and moonlandings. He was a prolific writer and had ideas t...

Hard Science Fiction Defined - Other Websites

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Grading Science Fiction for Realism

A suggested rating scale for science fiction regar more...1 point

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Hard science fiction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia has a well developed article about the g more...1 point

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Hard SF: The hardsf.org site & index

This site is devoted to the genre. Lots of info ab more...0 points

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Article Abstracts: #60 (Special Section: Hard Science Fiction)

A little dry reading...But, there's an extensive l more...0 points

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SF Citations for OED

A wide variety of other people's attempts to defin more...0 points

Featured Lensmasters

So what do you like?

Many people have different ideas about what science fiction is...

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Say Hello!

If you're a fan of hard science fiction or science fiction in general, give us a wave!

MobyD

I've just submitted my six lenses on the Hugo Awards, plus lenses for Spider Robinson, John Varley, and Allen Steele. There are some very good lenses in this group!

Posted December 26, 2007
EditorDave

Michael Crichton's works use existing weirdnesses in science to make great stories! See how close to reality Jurassic Park and Prey and State of Fear get! I've created lenses on Jurassic Park, Octopi, and Monitor lizards that show how easy it is to blur the line between hard science and fiction!

Posted December 15, 2007
cosmicxeelee

I'm a 31 yr old artist/illustrator & aspiring writer, but working on non SF book-currently all I read is SF, mostly hard, some soft-favortite authors are the 5Bs, Traviss, E. Bear, Tepper, McDevitt, Vinge, Schroeder. Working on a lens about how hard SF is relevant to today's issues. Need more books

Posted December 03, 2007
Tolovus

Welcome EditorDave! "Bent" is fine, as long as it isn't psuedo-science, magic, supernatural powers, etc...

Posted October 24, 2007
EditorDave

Just added three of my favorites (lots of science in their writing!):
http://www.squidoo.com/Kevin_J_Anderson
http://www.squidoo.com/Clive_Cussler
http://www.squidoo.com/James_Rollins
Some of the science is a little "bent"--but it works well in their novels enough to get your blood moving!

Posted October 24, 2007
 
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