Everything Everywhere Daily: "The History of Science Fiction"

Host: Gary Arndt
Date: February 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary Arndt chronicles the fascinating history of science fiction as a genre, exploring not only its origins and key developments, but also its profound impact on technology, society, and imagination. Gary breaks down the distinctions between science fiction and similar genres, profiles pioneering authors, and traces the genre’s evolution from ancient stories to modern movements like cyberpunk. He highlights how science fiction both predicts and inspires real-world scientific progress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Science Fiction

• Distinction from Fantasy (04:00)

  • Science fiction imagines worlds grounded in speculative extensions of science and natural law, whereas fantasy uses supernatural or magical elements.

  • Notably, even works like Star Wars are debated as to whether they truly fit the science fiction mold due to their reliance on unexplained technology and "magical" forces.

    “Science fiction builds its imagined worlds on speculative extensions of science and natural laws, while fantasy tends to rely on supernatural forces.” — Gary Arndt (04:44)

2. Ancient and Pre-Modern Precursors

• Early Works Resembling Science Fiction (06:10)

  • Ancient writers speculated about voyages beyond known worlds, artificial life, and miraculous technologies, though not always with scientific rigor.

  • Examples include:

    • True History by Lucian of Samosata (second century) — features space travel and alien encounters, though intended as satire.
    • Johannes Kepler’s Somnium (1608) — a dream-vision of life on the moon, underpinned by real scientific knowledge.
    • Margaret Cavendish’s The Blazing World (1666), Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis (1627), and Cyrano de Bergerac’s Voyage to the Moon (1657).

    “Somnium represents perhaps the first attempt to ground an imaginative tale in rigorous scientific thought, making it a watershed moment in the prehistory of science fiction.” — Gary Arndt (10:05)

3. The Birth of Modern Science Fiction

• Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (12:30)

  • Widely considered the first true science fiction novel.

  • Explored the consequences of scientific ambition and creation without supernatural explanation.

  • Central themes: scientific hubris, creator’s responsibility, dangers of unchecked advancement.

    “What sets this novel apart is that Victor Frankenstein's creation of life through scientific means… marks a departure from supernatural or divine explanations.” — Gary Arndt (13:22)

4. 19th-Century Expansion

• Edgar Allan Poe (15:30)
  • “The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall” and “A Descent into the Maelstrom” use scientific principles or rational observation as key plot elements.
• Jules Verne and H.G. Wells (17:10)

  • Verne: Technical accuracy and plausible extrapolation from contemporary science (“Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”).

  • Wells: Radical scientific breakthroughs to probe social, philosophical, and political questions (“The Time Machine,” “War of the Worlds”, “The Island of Dr. Moreau").

    “Verne's work established the paradigm of hard science fiction where technical accuracy and scientific plausibility are paramount.” — Gary Arndt (18:42)
    “Wells was willing to postulate radical scientific breakthroughs as premises for examining social, philosophical, and political questions.” — Gary Arndt (19:28)

5. Pulp Era and Genre Crystallization

• Rise of Science Fiction Magazines (21:00)
  • Hugo Gernsback, founder of Amazing Stories in 1926, is pivotal; publishes new and classic works; coins "scientifiction," later "science fiction."
  • Hugo Awards named after him.
• Golden Age and ‘The Big Three’ (23:10)
  • Isaac Asimov: “Robot stories” and Foundation series—emphasis on history and consequences of science.
  • Arthur C. Clarke: “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Childhood’s End,” “Rendezvous with Rama”—futuristic predictions.
  • Robert Heinlein: “Stranger in a Strange Land,” “Starship Troopers”—explores political systems and social commentary.

6. New Movements and Themes

• The New Wave (1960s–70s) (25:35)
  • Brings literary experimentation, psychological and sociological focus.
  • Authors: Frank Herbert, Ursula K. Le Guin, Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Stanislaw Lem.
• Cyberpunk Era (1980s) (27:15)

  • William Gibson’s Neuromancer foregrounds digital networks, AI, and technology’s blurred impact on human identity.

    “As the pace of technical change in society has accelerated, science fiction has changed along with it.” — Gary Arndt (28:02)

7. Impact of Science Fiction on the Real World

• Cultural and Inventive Influence (28:20)

  • Expands belief in what’s possible (space travel, AI, global communications).

  • Raises questions about ethical and practical consequences of technology—helps society imagine outcomes, not just achievements.

  • Inspires real scientists, engineers, and inventors.

  • Science fiction cited in legal patent disputes as prior art, proving its influence on the conception of new ideas.

    “Engineers and inventors tend to focus on whether something can be built, while science fiction often asks what happens after it's built.” — Gary Arndt (29:14)

8. Enduring Value of Science Fiction

• Reflection and Inspiration (30:25)
  • Not just storytelling, but a “way to view our world through a different lens and consider what it could or might be.”
  • Some inventions and discoveries are direct descendants of ideas first imagined by science fiction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the challenge of defining science fiction:

  “...defining it can be a bit trickier. Science fiction is a storytelling genre concerned with imagined futures, alternative worlds, or transformed presents that arise from speculative changes in science, technology, or the systematic application of rational inquiry.” — Gary Arndt (03:18)

• On the impact of Frankenstein:

  “The thing that should always be noted about Frankenstein is that Mary Shelley was only 18 years old when she wrote it.” — Gary Arndt (14:15)

• On the real-world legacy of science fiction:

  “Science fiction isn't just about interesting and compelling stories. It's a way to view our world through a different lens and to consider what it could or might be.” — Gary Arndt (30:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 04:00 — Distinguishing science fiction from fantasy
• 06:10 — Ancient and pre-modern proto-sci-fi works
• 12:30 — Mary Shelley and the birth of the genre
• 17:10 — Verne and Wells: Divergent paths in 19th-century sci-fi
• 21:00 — The rise of pulp magazines and Hugo Gernsback
• 23:10 — The Golden Age and The Big Three
• 25:35 — The New Wave and literary experimentation
• 27:15 — Cyberpunk and society’s digital turn
• 28:20 — Science fiction’s influence on science, invention, and law
• 30:25 — The broader purpose and lessons of the genre

Summary

This episode provides a sweeping yet detailed journey through the evolution of science fiction, framing it as a genre that doesn’t just tell imaginative stories but serves as a vital laboratory for world-changing ideas. From ancient moon voyages to debates about present-day AI, Gary Arndt illustrates how science fiction simultaneously reflects and shapes human aspirations, anxieties, and dreams for the future. This episode is essential listening—and now reading—for anyone curious about where science fiction came from, why it matters, and how it continues to inspire.