soft science fiction
Character-driven speculation
Soft science fiction is a variety of science fiction that doesn't emphasize scientific or technological accuracy.
Where hard science fiction builds plots around plausible physics and engineering, soft science fiction uses futuristic settings to explore social dynamics, psychology, or philosophical questions.
The science may be vague, implausible, or merely decorative: Star Wars is soft science fiction—the Force isn't meant to be scientifically coherent.
Between two or more people
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- relationshipConnection between entities
- character-drivenLed by personalities, not events
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
motivation · psychological · human condition · identity · alienation · belonging · growth · conflict
Study of human cultures
- sociologyStudy of human communities
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- cultureCollective social practices
- social dynamicsPatterns of human interaction
humanity · relationships · ethnography · linguistics · behavioral · identity · community · diversity
Constructing imaginary universes for fiction
- extrapolationExtending data beyond bounds
- alternate historyGenre reimagining past outcomes
- what-ifHypothetical scenario query
- thought experimentHypothetical scenario for reasoning
scenario · premise · plausibility · conjecture · imagination · possibility · projection · futurism
Humanity's alien introduction
- time travelMovement across temporal points
- parallel universeHypothetical coexisting separate reality
- space operaDramatic sci-fi in cosmos
- cyberpunkDystopian tech-noir fiction
dystopia · utopia · aliens · androids · cloning · telepathy · virtual reality · generation ship
Forced choice between undesirables
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
rights · justice · responsibility · humanity · empathy · compassion · fairness · choice
interpersonal
Between two or more people
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- relationshipConnection between entities
- character-drivenLed by personalities, not events
introspection · motivation · psychological · human condition · identity · alienation · belonging · growth · conflict · connection
anthropology
Study of human cultures
- sociologyStudy of human communities
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- cultureCollective social practices
social dynamics · humanity · relationships · ethnography · linguistics · behavioral · identity · community · diversity · norms
worldbuilding
Constructing imaginary universes for fiction
- extrapolationExtending data beyond bounds
- alternate historyGenre reimagining past outcomes
- what-ifHypothetical scenario query
thought experiment · scenario · premise · plausibility · conjecture · imagination · possibility · projection · futurism · hypothetical
first contact
Humanity's alien introduction
- time travelMovement across temporal points
- parallel universeHypothetical coexisting separate reality
- space operaDramatic sci-fi in cosmos
cyberpunk · dystopia · utopia · aliens · androids · cloning · telepathy · virtual reality · generation ship · uplift
dilemma
Forced choice between undesirables
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
bioethics · rights · justice · responsibility · humanity · empathy · compassion · fairness · choice · autonomy
soft science fictionhard science fiction
Speculative fiction emphasizing accuracy
techno-thriller · realistic fiction · non-fiction · documentary
soft, soften, softly, softness, softer, softest, science, sciences, scientific