Sci-fi Genre (Middle years)

Casual world-building

World building! It’s an essential part of sci-fi stories. Is it set in the present, the future, an alternate universe, or in a galaxy far, far away? Is it a utopia where society is at its peak, a dystopia where everyone is trying to survive, or somewhere inbetween?

This snippet shows a troubled Earth in a dystopian future where some of our current problems are dialled up. The author has written a laundry list of features to quickly paint a picture. It’s told from the point of view of the main character, who sees everything as normal.

At first, I couldn’t understand why the media was making such a big deal of the billionaire’s death. After all, the people of Planet Earth had other concerns. The ongoing energy crisis. Catastrophic climate change. Widespread famine, poverty, and disease. Half a dozen wars. You know: “dogs and cats living together … mass hysteria!” Normally, the newsfeeds didn’t interrupt everyone’s interactive sitcoms and soap operas unless something really major had happened. Like the outbreak of some new killer virus, or another major city vanishing in a mushroom cloud. Big stuff like that. 

Ready Player One(2011)

A family in spacesuits on Mars.

Here’s an example using the same ‘laundry list’ style as the snippet, based on the picture. It’s a little closer to a utopian vision, especially for its main character. 

I couldn’t believe my luck, being transferred from my hometown of D’rudge to the towering metropolis that was T’Morro City. It had everything you could imaginably want to raise a family, and more! Sustainable energy. Climate control. Endless food, trade, and health. A peaceful, multicultural community. You know, the whole “living together in perfect harmony” cliche. Normally, my newsfeeds were about farming equipment; now, as we approached the city, I could see interactive sitcoms, soap operas and actual major news events. Like wiping out disease and vanishing crime rates. Cool stuff like that. 

Now it's your turn.

Write a small feature-filled passage that sets up a sci-fi world. It could be a utopia, a dystopia, or somewhere inbetween. Again, use the picture as a starting point.
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