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[[Image:Daria13.gif|right|frame|Daria as [http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4095711488/tt0062711 Barbarella]]]
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction Science fiction]''' is imaginative writing about the consequences of advancements in science and technology. Science fiction differs from fantasy in that whatever happens in science fiction is expected to be possible within the laws of nature, as understood today or as might be understood in the future. What happens in fantasy is assumed to be impossible under any circumstances ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_Three_Laws Clarke's Third Law] aside). Speculations about exotic discoveries like teleportation, faster-than-light spacecraft, and time travel are included, as many elements of the modern world (e.g., computers, spacecraft, vaccines, nuclear power) were also once thought impossible.
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction Science fiction]''' (sometimes hyphenated as '''science-fiction''' or abbreviated as '''SF''' or '''sci-fi''') is imaginative writing about the consequences of advancements in science and technology. Science fiction differs from [[fantasy]] in that whatever happens in science fiction is expected to be possible within the laws of nature as they are understood today or as they might be understood in the future. What happens in fantasy is assumed to be impossible under any circumstances ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_Three_Laws Clarke's Third Law] aside). Speculations about exotic discoveries like teleportation, faster-than-light spacecraft, and time travel are included, as many elements of the modern world (e.g., computers, spacecraft, vaccines, nuclear power) were also once thought impossible.



==Science Fiction in ''Daria'' Canon==
==Science Fiction in ''Daria'' Canon==
[[Image:Spacebabes1.gif|right|frame|Jane and Daria as alien sex goddesses on ''Sick, Sad World'' ("[[The Lawndale File]]")]]
Science fiction was only lightly touched on in the ''Daria'' series, through [[Artie]]'s fantastic tales of being kidnapped by aliens and the unfortunate appearance of [[Daria]] and [[Jane]] as alien sex goddesses on TV. "[[The Lawndale File]]" parodied ''The X-Files'' series and other SF stories, but presented nothing of a true SF nature. The UFO convention in "[[Esteemsters]]" used its SF elements to humorous effect.
Science fiction was only lightly touched upon in the ''[[Daria (TV series) | Daria]]'' series, primarily through [[Artie]]'s fantastic tales of being kidnapped by aliens and the unfortunate appearance of [[Daria Morgendorffer | Daria]] and [[Jane Lane | Jane]] as alien sex goddesses on [[Sick, Sad World]]. "[[The Lawndale File]]" parodied ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Files The X-Files]'' series and other science fiction stories, but presented nothing of a true science fiction nature. The UFO convention in "[[Esteemsters]]" used its SF elements to humorous effect.


[[Off-canon canon#Fantasy Episodes and Scenes|Controversial episodes]] that many fans consider to be fanciful, such as "[[Depth Takes a Holiday]]" and "[[Daria!]]," are here considered to be [[fantasy]]. Some fanfics spun off from those episodes, however, qualify as science fiction.
[[Off-canon canon#Fantasy Episodes and Scenes | Controversial episodes]] that many fans consider to be fanciful, such as "[[Depth Takes a Holiday]]" and "[[Daria!]]", are here considered to be [[fantasy]]. Some fanfics spun off from those episodes, however, qualify as science fiction.


==Science Fiction in ''Daria'' Fanworks==
Like [[fantasy]] writing, science fiction works are usually sorted into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction#Subgenres broad subgenres] like cyberpunk and alternate history. ''Daria'' SF has certain subgenres that appear frequently, while others are almost never seen (e.g., steampunk). The better-known types of ''Daria'' SF are named below, with examples of each. [[Crossovers]] are included under the appropriate heading. Note that a story can fall into multiple subgenres depending on its content.


==Science Fiction in ''Daria'' Fanfiction==
Like [[fantasy]] writing, science-fiction works are usually sorted into broad subgenres like cyberpunk and alternate history. ''Daria'' SF has certain subgenres that appear frequently, while some subgenres of mainstream SF are almost never seen (e.g., steampunk, space opera). The better-known types of ''Daria'' SF are named below, with examples of each. [[Crossovers]] are included under the appropriate heading. Note that a story can fall into multiple subgenres, depending on its content.


[[Image:Tiffany07.gif|right|frame|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial E.T.: Extraterrestrial Tiffany]]]
===Alien Contact===
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_Encounters_of_the_Third_Kind Close Encounters of the Third Kind], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28film%29 Independence Day]


The core of the alien contact tale is the interaction between humans (one or more of the ''Daria'' cast) and creatures or intelligent beings from other worlds. Alien invasion stories fall under this group.
[[Image:Tiffany07.gif|right|frame|E.T.: Extraterrestrial Tiffany]]
===Alien Contact SF===
The core of the tale is the interaction between humans (one or more of the ''Daria'' cast) and creatures or intelligent beings from other worlds. Alien invasion stories fall under this group.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* "[[And I on the Opposite Shore Will Be]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[And I on the Opposite Shore Will Be]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* "[[Behind Enemy Lines]]," by [[Brother Grimace]]
* [[Behind Enemy Lines]] by [[Brother Grimace]]
* "[[Bump, the System Lord]]," by [[Brother Grimace]] (Daria/Stargate)
* [[Bump, The System Lord]] by [[Brother Grimace]] (Daria/Stargate)
* "[[Daria vs. Predator]]," by [[Bob Marley]] (Daria/Predator)
* [[Daria vs. Predator]] by [[Bob Marley]] (Daria/Predator)
* "[[Doctor Who Gives a Damn]]," by [[Yui Daoren]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* [[Doctor Who Gives a Damn]] by [[Yui Daoren]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* "[[Hard Contacts]]," by [[Ranchoth]]
* [[Hard Contacts]] by [[Ranchoth]]
* "[[It's That Guy]]," by [[Richard Lobinske]]
* [[It's That Guy]] by [[Richard Lobinske]]
* "[[Like Angels' Visits, Short and Bright]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[Like Angels' Visits, Short and Bright]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[Mother's Love]] [[series]], by [[Richard Lobinske]]
* [[Mother's Love]] [[series]] by [[Richard Lobinske]]
* "[[The Outers]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[The Outers]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* "[[They Came from Planet Xulfanex]]," by [[Kara Wild]]
* [[They Came from Planet Xulfanex]] by [[Kara Wild]]




[[Image:Flip69.gif|right|frame|Trent Lane of the rock band Teutonic Spiral]]
[[Image:Flip69.gif|right|frame|Trent Lane of the rock band Teutonic Spiral]]
===Alternate History SF===
===Alternate History===
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline-191 Timeline-191], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plot_Against_America The Plot Against America]
It is explained in the section on [[alternate universes]] that most [[AU]] ''Daria'' tales revolve around twists in the personal histories of the series cast or [[Lawndale]] alone, not the larger history of the world itself. Fanfics covering greater historical change are included here as SF.


It is explained in the section on [[alternate universe]]s that most [[AU]] ''Daria'' tales revolve around twists in the personal histories of the series cast or [[Lawndale]] alone, not the larger history of the world itself. Fanfics covering greater historical change are included here as science fiction.
'''Examples'''
* "[[The Alternate History Teacher]]," by [[TAG]]: Daria's earlier-than-canon birth causes political change in the U.S.
* "[[Been Here Before]]," by [[The Sidhe]]: The Confederacy wins independence during the Civil War in an [[alternate universe]].
* "[[Das Elendskücken]]," by [[TAG]]: Nazi Germany wins World War II.
* "[[Gone]]," by [[TAG]]: World War III breaks out during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
* "[[Indivisible]]," by [[Dennis]]: Nazi Germany wins World War II.


===Apocalyptic SF===
Disaster on an epic scale strikes the world, and civilization crumbles before it.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* [[The Alternate History Teacher]] by [[The Angst Guy]]: Daria's earlier-than-canon birth causes political change in the U.S.
* "[[Apocalyptic Daria]]," by [[Doggieboy]]
* [[Das Elendskücken]] by [[The Angst Guy]]: Nazi Germany wins World War II.
* "[[Daria AE]]," by [[Greystar]]
* [[Gone]] by [[The Angst Guy]]: World War III breaks out during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
* "[[Darkness]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[Indivisible]] by [[Dennis]]: Nazi Germany wins World War II.
* "[[Fimbul]]," by [[NightGoblyn]]
* [[The Other Side of Time]] by [[The Sidhe]]: The Confederacy wins independence during the Civil War in an [[alternate universe]].
* "[[Gone]], by [[TAG]]
* "[[Lambda]]," by [[SigDiff]] (Daria/Half-Life)
* "[[Last Night in Lawndale]]," by [[Erin Mills]] (Daria/Last Night on Earth)
* "[[Of Metal and Men]]," by [[legendeld]]
* "[[The Omega Jane]]," by [[TAG]] (Daria/The Omega Man)
* "[[The Road Worrier, Part 2]]," by [[Milo Minderbinder]]




===Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic===
===Comedy SF===
Non-''Daria'' examples: The [http://terminator.wikia.com/wiki/Terminator_Wiki Terminator] franchise, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_%28franchise%29 Mad Max] franchise
SF cliches have been effectively parodied in ''Daria'' [[crossovers]].

Disaster on an epic scale strikes the world, and civilization crumbles before it. This can come from virtually any source, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, extra-terrestrial invasion, or pandemic. [[Zombiefic | Zombie-overrun futures]] are very popular in the ''Daria'' fandom. In other fandoms, this sort of story is called [http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=Post-Apocalypse Apocafic] for "(Post-)Apocalypse fiction."


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* [[Apocalyptic Daria]] by [[Doggieboy]]
* "[[Abruptly Amy in 'Silly Sci-Fi Crossover']]," by [[PBC]] (Daria/Red Dwarf)
* [[Daria AE]] by [[Greystar]]
* "[[Attack of the 50 Foot Butt]]," by [[Bobby Birks]] (Daria/[[Beavis and Butt-head]]/The X-Files)
* [[Darkness]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* "[[Cornholio, Emperor of Outer Space!]]," by Cyde (Daria/[[Beavis and Butt-head]])
* [[Daylight]] [[shared world]] by various authors
* "[[A Cynical Guide to the Galaxy]]," by [[Jill Palmer]] (Daria/The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
* "[[Hard Contacts]]," by [[Ranchoth]]
* [[Fimbul]] by [[NightGoblyn]]
* [[Gone]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* "[[The Hitch Hiker's Guide to Sarcasm]]," by [[TAFKA]] (Daria/The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
* "[[Silly Rabbit, Matrix Are for Kids!]]" by [[John Berry]] (Daria/The Matrix)
* [[Lambda]] by [[SigDiff]] (Daria/Half-Life)
* "[[Warped Speed Captain]]," by Thea Zara (Daria/Star Trek)
* [[Last Night In Lawndale]] by [[Erin Mills]] (Daria/Last Night on Earth)
* [[Of Metal and Men]] by [[legendeld]]
* [[The Omega Cynic]] by [[Mystik Slacker]] (a [[dream world]])
* [[The Omega Jane]] by [[The Angst Guy]] (Daria/The Omega Man)
* [[The Road Worrier, Part 2]] by [[Milo Minderbinder]] (Daria/The Road Warrior)
* [[Shining Star]] [[shared world]]
* [[Submariner Series]] by [[Wildgoose]]




[[Image:Dariaquinn.gif|right|frame|An unfortunate if rather amusing atomic mutation]]
===Cyberpunk SF===
===Comic Science Fiction===
Cyberpunk is very rarely seen in this fandom, which is odd since the Internet and cutting-edge technology are behind-the-scenes features of ''Daria''.
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_Quest Galaxy Quest], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Attacks! Mars Attacks!]


A mix of science fiction and [[comedy]], often using SF cliches to generate amusing situations. Most comic SF in ''Daria'' fanworks tend to be [[parody | parodies]] of and/or [[crossovers]] with other works of science fiction comedy.
'''Example'''
* "[[Cybercity Lawndale]]," by [[JJXB]]


'''Examples'''
* [[Abruptly Amy in 'Silly Sci-Fi Crossover']] by [[PBC]] (Daria/Red Dwarf)
* [[Alter Egos: Daria-Space Goddess]] by [[Mir]]
* [[Attack of the 50 Foot Butt]] by [[Bobby Birks]] (Daria/[[Beavis and Butt-head (TV series)|Beavis and Butt-head]]/The X-Files)
* [[Attack of the Fifty Foot Fashion Club]] by [[Gregor Samsa]]
* [[Cornholio, Emperor of Outer Space!]] by Cyde (Daria/[[Beavis and Butt-head (TV series)|Beavis and Butt-head]])
* [[Could Someone Turn Down the Sun?]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[A Cynical Guide to the Galaxy]] by [[Jill Palmer]] (Daria/The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
* [[Hard Contacts]] by [[Ranchoth]]
* [[The Hitch Hiker's Guide to Sarcasm]] by [[TAFKA]] (Daria/The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
* [[Monsters]] by [[Wyvern337]]
* [[Silly Rabbit, Matrix Are for Kids!]] by [[John Berry]] (Daria/The Matrix)
* [[Warped Speed Captain]] by [[Thea Zara]] (Daria/Star Trek)


===Cyberpunk and Postcyberpunk===
[[Image:Robottom.gif|right|frame|The Tombot]]
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromancer Neuromancer], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diamond_Age The Diamond Age]
===Mecha SF===

So far, all military-oriented SF ''Daria'' stories featuring giant battle robots (''mecha,'' in Japanese anime lingo) are [[crossovers]], some also being complete [[reinventions]].
Cyberpunk stories revolve around near-future settings in which technology has continued to advance while society has gradually decayed. Cybernetics, advanced computer systems, and corporate corruption are common themes in this subgenre. Postcyberpunk features much the same, but tends to focus on nanotechnology and a more optimistic, less gritty view of the future.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* "[[Daria 3059]]," by [[Greystar]] (Daria/BattleTech)
* [[Cybercity Lawndale]] by [[JJXB]] (Cyberpunk)
* "[[Earthfall]]," by [[legendeld]] (Daria/Robotech)
* [[Daria: Hunter]] [[series]] by [[Jim North]] (Postcyberpunk)
* "[[Stacy Rowe, Evangelion Pilot]]," by [[Austin Covello]]




===Social SF===
===Gadget SF===
Non-''Daria'' examples: The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_%28film_series%29 James Bond] film series, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocketeer The Rocketeer]
The "soft" sciences of psychology, sociology, and political theory seem like they would be reasonably appropriate to ''Daria,'' and a few stories in this vein have appeared.

Someone invents or otherwise stumbles across a futuristic gadget or gadgets. This tends to cause trouble, either through unexpected effects of the device itself or because other people are willing to go to desperate lengths to procure the item for themselves.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* [[DAR]] by [[Gregor Samsa]]
* "[[A Bouquet for the Brain]]," by [[Milo Minderbinder]] (Daria/Flowers for Algernon)
* "[[Civil War]]," by [[legendeld]]
* [[A Little Vacation]] by [[Doggieboy]]
* "[[Inauguration]]," by [[Ranchoth]]
* [[Moon over Daytona]] by [[Milderbeast]]
* "[[Next in Line]]," by [[TAG]]
* "[[Sarcasm at 1600]]," by [[Mike Xeno]]
* "[[Stacy Rowe, Seeker]]," by [[jtranser]]
* "[[Three Ways of Looking at a Tiffany Blum-Deckler]]," by [[TAG]]




[[Image:Astronaut1.gif|right|frame|Jodie on the moon]]
[[Image:Robottom.gif|right|frame|The Tombot]]
===Space Exploration===
===Mecha SF===
Non-''Daria'' examples: The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam Gundam] franchise, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Jox Robot Jox]
''Daria'' was not an SF series, and space exploration is a hard-core SF theme, so it stands to reason that there won't be many fanfics about going to the moon. There are a few, however.

Mechas are large, human-piloted robots that are typically designed for combat purposes. These machines can range virtually any size, from just slightly larger than the human inside to taller than skyscrapers. Most instances of mecha SF in ''Daria'' fanworks are [[crossovers]] with [[anime]] series, in which the mecha subgenre is very popular.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* "[[Daria and Jane Go to the Moon]]," by [[echopapa]]
* [[Daria 3059]] by [[Greystar]] (Daria/BattleTech)
* "[[Drive]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[Earthfall]] by [[legendeld]] (Daria/Robotech)
* [[Stacy Rowe, Evangelion Pilot]] by [[Austin Covello]] (Daria/Neon Genesis-Evangelion)
* "[[Every Hour Saved from That Eternal Silence]]," by [[TAG]]
* [[Steel Jaguar God Battler Oxidiser X]] [[series]] by [[DJW]]




===Space Opera===
===Soft and Social SF===
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four 1984], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451 Fahrenheit 451]
The collision of fleets of war spacecraft, the rise and fall of space empires, the epic tales of derring-do that span the universe, these are the elements of space opera. ''Daria,'' predictably, has very little of it except in [[crossovers]]. A number of Star Wars parodies and spin-offs have been done here.

Social SF concentrates on the "soft" sciences of psychology, sociology, political theory, and the like. The harder, technological advances themselves present in these stories often take a back seat to the societal, mental, and philosophical ramifications that they cause by their existence. In some cases, the "hard" SF elements may be done away with entirely to focus solely on the changes made to the overall human condition.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* [[Cynic Wars]] series, by [[Matt]] (Daria/Star Wars)
* [[A Bouquet for the Brain]] by [[Milo Minderbinder]] (Daria/Flowers for Algernon)
* "[[Daria/Star Wars]]," by [[Ranger Thorne]] (Daria/Star Wars)
* [[Civil War]] by [[legendeld]]
* [[Darkness]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[Inauguration]] by [[Ranchoth]]
* [[Next in Line]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[Sarcasm at 1600]] by [[Mike Xeno]]
* [[Stacy Rowe, Seeker]] by [[jtranser]]
* [[Three Ways of Looking at a Tiffany Blum-Deckler]] by [[The Angst Guy]]




[[Image:superhero1.gif|right|frame|Stacy Rowe of the Fashionable Four]]
[[Image:Astronaut1.gif|right|frame|Jodie lands on the moon]]
===[[Superhero]] SF===
===Spaceflight===
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Astronaut_Farmer The Astronaut Farmer], the [http://memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Main_Page Star Trek] franchise, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Truckers Space Truckers]
Caped crimefighters and criminals are well covered elsewhere in [[superhero|DariaWiki]]. Though nearly all superhero fanfics in ''Daria'' fandom are [[crossovers]], no two are remotely alike.

Spaceflight based SF covers a broad range of stories which heavily utilize the creation, discovery, and use of spacecraft. This includes near-future stories in which ''Daria'' characters visit local astronomical areas and phenomenon, such as the moon or Mars, and more distant tales involving the exploration of faraway sectors of space via faster-than-light technology or cryogenic sleeper ships.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* "[[Back in Fifteen Minutes]]," by [[Brother Grimace]]
* [[Daria and Jane Go to the Moon]] by [[echopapa]]
* "[[A Cynical Shade of Green]], by [[echopapa]] (Daria/Green Lantern)
* [[Drive (TAG story)|Drive]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[Every Hour Saved from That Eternal Silence]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* [[Daria’s Web]] [[series]], by Fezenclop (a.k.a. Ranger Thorne) (Daria/Spider-Man)
* [[Daria Von Doom]] [[series]], by [[Richard Lobinske]] (Daria/Doctor Doom)
* "[[Eldritch Evolution]], by [[LSauchelli]] (Daria/Heroes)
* "[[The Gem and the Sword]]," by [[Ranger Thorne]] (Daria/Teen Titans)
* "[[Lawndale’s Finest: The Last Daughter of Krypton]] (Daria/Superman), by [[NightGoblyn]]
* [[Legion of Lawndale Heroes]] [[series]] (Daria/DC Comics Legion of Superheroes), by [[Roentgen]] and [[Brother Grimace]]
* "[[Outcasts From Beyond]]," by [[TAG]] (Daria/Marvel Universe/DC Universe)
* "[[Power Rangers: Lawndale Force]]," by [[Cyke]] (Daria/Power Rangers)
* "[[Three Ways of Looking at a Tiffany Blum-Deckler]]," by [[TAG]]




[[Image:Sphinx.gif|right|frame|Time-traveling Jane fixes the Sphinx]]
===Time Travel SF===
===Time Travel===
Whether into the past or into the future, time travel presents special opportunities and dangers. Doctor Who crossovers are not uncommon, though not all deal with time travel alone.
Non-''Daria'' examples: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Time_Machine The Time Machine], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_%28novel%29 Timeline]

Whether into the past or into the future, time travel presents special opportunities and dangers.


'''Examples'''
'''Examples'''
* "[[All You Outcasts]]," by [[Robert Nowall]]
* [[All You Outcasts]] by [[Robert Nowall]] (Daria/—All You Zombies—)
* "[[Back to the Future, Again!]]" by [[Milo Minderbinder]] (Daria/Back to the Future)
* [[Back to the Future, Again!]] by [[Milo Minderbinder]] (Daria/Back to the Future)
* "[[Doctor Who Gives a Damn]]," by [[Yui Daoren]]
* [[Death Takes a Holliday]] by [[The Angst Guy]]
* "[[The House on Space-Time Lane]]," by [[Lawndale Stalker]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* [[Doctor Who Gives a Damn]] by [[Yui Daoren]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* "[[Lane Change]]," by [[Ranger Thorne]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* [[The House on Space-Time Lane]] by [[Lawndale Stalker]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* "[[Lawndale 2500]]," by [[Atomius]]
* [[Lane Change]] by [[Ranger Thorne]] (Daria/Doctor Who)
* "[[Temporal Friends]]," by [[Crusading Saint]]
* [[Lawndale 2500]] by [[Atomius]]
* "[[A Time for Us]]," by [[aeverett]]
* [[Temporal Friends]] by [[Crusading Saint]]
* [[A Time for Us]] by [[aeverett]]



==Science Fiction vs. Science Fantasy==
[[Science fantasy]] is a genre that combines elements of science fiction with [[fantasy]]. Unlike science fiction, science fantasy works on rules that are more ill-defined, and may even include entirely impossible elements that are merely treated as if they have a scientific basis. Some science fantasy may include straight science fiction, but also has straight fantasy elements such as magic featured alongside it. As it is difficult to quantify exactly how much infused fantasy causes the flip from one genre to the other, a hard line may never be drawn between the two genres.


[[Category: Fanwork Conventions]]
[[Category: Fanwork Conventions]]

Latest revision as of 14:55, 27 July 2010

Daria as Barbarella

Science fiction (sometimes hyphenated as science-fiction or abbreviated as SF or sci-fi) is imaginative writing about the consequences of advancements in science and technology. Science fiction differs from fantasy in that whatever happens in science fiction is expected to be possible within the laws of nature as they are understood today or as they might be understood in the future. What happens in fantasy is assumed to be impossible under any circumstances (Clarke's Third Law aside). Speculations about exotic discoveries like teleportation, faster-than-light spacecraft, and time travel are included, as many elements of the modern world (e.g., computers, spacecraft, vaccines, nuclear power) were also once thought impossible.

Science Fiction in Daria Canon[edit]

Jane and Daria as alien sex goddesses on Sick, Sad World ("The Lawndale File")

Science fiction was only lightly touched upon in the Daria series, primarily through Artie's fantastic tales of being kidnapped by aliens and the unfortunate appearance of Daria and Jane as alien sex goddesses on Sick, Sad World. "The Lawndale File" parodied The X-Files series and other science fiction stories, but presented nothing of a true science fiction nature. The UFO convention in "Esteemsters" used its SF elements to humorous effect.

Controversial episodes that many fans consider to be fanciful, such as "Depth Takes a Holiday" and "Daria!", are here considered to be fantasy. Some fanfics spun off from those episodes, however, qualify as science fiction.

Science Fiction in Daria Fanworks[edit]

Like fantasy writing, science fiction works are usually sorted into broad subgenres like cyberpunk and alternate history. Daria SF has certain subgenres that appear frequently, while others are almost never seen (e.g., steampunk). The better-known types of Daria SF are named below, with examples of each. Crossovers are included under the appropriate heading. Note that a story can fall into multiple subgenres depending on its content.


E.T.: Extraterrestrial Tiffany

Alien Contact[edit]

Non-Daria examples: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Independence Day

The core of the alien contact tale is the interaction between humans (one or more of the Daria cast) and creatures or intelligent beings from other worlds. Alien invasion stories fall under this group.

Examples


Trent Lane of the rock band Teutonic Spiral

Alternate History[edit]

Non-Daria examples: Timeline-191, The Plot Against America

It is explained in the section on alternate universes that most AU Daria tales revolve around twists in the personal histories of the series cast or Lawndale alone, not the larger history of the world itself. Fanfics covering greater historical change are included here as science fiction.

Examples


Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic[edit]

Non-Daria examples: The Terminator franchise, the Mad Max franchise

Disaster on an epic scale strikes the world, and civilization crumbles before it. This can come from virtually any source, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, extra-terrestrial invasion, or pandemic. Zombie-overrun futures are very popular in the Daria fandom. In other fandoms, this sort of story is called Apocafic for "(Post-)Apocalypse fiction."

Examples


An unfortunate if rather amusing atomic mutation

Comic Science Fiction[edit]

Non-Daria examples: Galaxy Quest, Mars Attacks!

A mix of science fiction and comedy, often using SF cliches to generate amusing situations. Most comic SF in Daria fanworks tend to be parodies of and/or crossovers with other works of science fiction comedy.

Examples

Cyberpunk and Postcyberpunk[edit]

Non-Daria examples: Neuromancer, The Diamond Age

Cyberpunk stories revolve around near-future settings in which technology has continued to advance while society has gradually decayed. Cybernetics, advanced computer systems, and corporate corruption are common themes in this subgenre. Postcyberpunk features much the same, but tends to focus on nanotechnology and a more optimistic, less gritty view of the future.

Examples


Gadget SF[edit]

Non-Daria examples: The James Bond film series, The Rocketeer

Someone invents or otherwise stumbles across a futuristic gadget or gadgets. This tends to cause trouble, either through unexpected effects of the device itself or because other people are willing to go to desperate lengths to procure the item for themselves.

Examples


The Tombot

Mecha SF[edit]

Non-Daria examples: The Gundam franchise, Robot Jox

Mechas are large, human-piloted robots that are typically designed for combat purposes. These machines can range virtually any size, from just slightly larger than the human inside to taller than skyscrapers. Most instances of mecha SF in Daria fanworks are crossovers with anime series, in which the mecha subgenre is very popular.

Examples


Soft and Social SF[edit]

Non-Daria examples: 1984, Fahrenheit 451

Social SF concentrates on the "soft" sciences of psychology, sociology, political theory, and the like. The harder, technological advances themselves present in these stories often take a back seat to the societal, mental, and philosophical ramifications that they cause by their existence. In some cases, the "hard" SF elements may be done away with entirely to focus solely on the changes made to the overall human condition.

Examples


Jodie lands on the moon

Spaceflight[edit]

Non-Daria examples: The Astronaut Farmer, the Star Trek franchise, Space Truckers

Spaceflight based SF covers a broad range of stories which heavily utilize the creation, discovery, and use of spacecraft. This includes near-future stories in which Daria characters visit local astronomical areas and phenomenon, such as the moon or Mars, and more distant tales involving the exploration of faraway sectors of space via faster-than-light technology or cryogenic sleeper ships.

Examples


Time-traveling Jane fixes the Sphinx

Time Travel[edit]

Non-Daria examples: The Time Machine, Timeline

Whether into the past or into the future, time travel presents special opportunities and dangers.

Examples


Science Fiction vs. Science Fantasy[edit]

Science fantasy is a genre that combines elements of science fiction with fantasy. Unlike science fiction, science fantasy works on rules that are more ill-defined, and may even include entirely impossible elements that are merely treated as if they have a scientific basis. Some science fantasy may include straight science fiction, but also has straight fantasy elements such as magic featured alongside it. As it is difficult to quantify exactly how much infused fantasy causes the flip from one genre to the other, a hard line may never be drawn between the two genres.

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