MakeUseOf - Science Fiction

The Best Gifts for Sci-Fi Fans

Rob Webb — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:45:14 GMT

Science Fiction has captured the imagination of millions of people for generations, spawning endless amounts of books, movies, franchises, and TV series; not to mention legions of adoring fans. Chances are, even if you're not a confirmed sci-fi fan yourself, one of your nearest and dearest will be.

5 Spectacular Sites to Read Free Science Fiction Short Stories and Series

Mihir Patkar — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:30:13 GMT

From short stories by amateurs to award-winning literature by famous writers, you can read some stellar science fiction on the internet without paying a cent.

Game of Thrones Writers Bring The Three-Body Problem to Netflix

Joe Keeley — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:10:38 GMT

Netflix is no stranger to gripping sci-fi series, with past hits like Altered Carbon and Sense8 thrilling viewers.

The Best Science Fiction Books for Geeks: 10 Absolutely Worth Reading

Philip Bates — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:00:00 GMT

With so many great science fiction novels available, readers really are spoiled for choice. Some involve artificial intelligence. Others are grand space-operas. And some have even been banned from public distribution for dubious reasons.

10 Gift Ideas for the Science Fiction Fan in Your Life

Brent Dirks — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:00:00 GMT

When it's time to find a gift for any science fiction fan, the task might be harder than it seems---especially if you aren't invested in the genre yourself.

The Best Sci-Fi Short Films to Watch Online

Rob Nightingale — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:00:00 GMT

If you're looking to get your sci-fi fix, but don't have the time to settle down for to watch a full-length sci-fi movie, these amazing sci-fi short films should scratch that itch.

The 10 Best Cyberpunk Films to Watch Online

James Frew — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:00:00 GMT

Cyberpunk is a profound and unsettling sub-genre of science fiction, reflecting some of the bleakest predictions of a technologically advanced future.

The Best Superhero TV Shows and Where to Stream Them

Mihir Patkar — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

We are living in the greatest age for live-action movies based on comic books. This is the best time for superhero TV series as well, but there have also been some other excellent shows in the past.

10 Black Mirror Episodes That Will Mess With Your Head

Joel Lee — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:00:00 GMT

This article is purposely free of major spoilers.

How Disney Ruined Star Wars for Everybody

Philip Bates — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 23:00:00 GMT

As millions of people flock to see The Last Jedi, it's time to admit it: Star Wars just isn't that good any more.

Warhammer Video Games: A Beginner's Guide

Dann Albright — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Zelda. Final Fantasy. Ultima. These names conjure images of epic games that span not only a range of digital worlds, but swaths of history as well. Another name that should be on this vaunted list is Warhammer.

Netflix's Black Mirror Goes "High-Tech" [UK]

Amazon UK Deals — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 10:00:35 GMT

After becoming a hit in the UK, Channel 4's Black Mirror started streaming worldwide on Netflix in late 2014. Charlie Brooker's sci-fi anthology show became a huge international hit, even prompting a new season to be released on Netflix, with a further two currently in development.

Love The X-Files? 10 More Shows to Watch on Netflix

Kayla Matthews — Fri, 26 May 2017 22:00:00 GMT

The X-Files has been a hit TV show from the time it first aired in the 1990s right up to today. Unfortunately, for Mulder and Scully fans, The X-Files, isn't always available to watch, even on Netflix. With that in mind, it's good to have other shows to watch when The X-Files is off the air.

Stranger Things 2 Lands on Netflix This Halloween

Dave Parrack — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:30:46 GMT

Stranger Things is returning to Netflix, with a second season of the immensely popular science fiction series coming this Halloween. We know because Netflix teased Stranger Things 2 with an ad shown during Super Bowl LI. Yes, Stranger Things 2 warranted its own Super Bowl ad.

3 Ways Black Mirror Will Make You Think Different

Joel Lee — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

If you haven't watched Black Mirror yet, stop what you're doing and load up the first episode on Netflix. Watch it, take it all in, and then come back here. That first episode is a great intro to what the show is all about, but you have to experience it to understand.

Finished Black Mirror? The 10 TV Shows You Should Watch Next

Rob Nightingale — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Black Mirror is making waves as a must-see show for geeks everywhere. Unfortunately, this Netflix Original only comprises a limited number of episodes, so it's entirely possible to binge-watch Black Mirror over a long weekend.

How Star Trek Predicted the Future We Now Live In

Derek Walsh — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

It has been 50 years since Star Trek first appeared on our screens and changed the cultural landscape forever. The characters, the ship, and the aliens are well known even among those who have no interest in science fiction. The vision of a future free of sexism, racism, and poverty is a profoundly positive one. But it is probably the technology available in the 23rd and 24th centuries that has most captured the public imagination.

We're in the Future: 4 Sci-Fi Technologies That Already Exist

Matthew Hughes — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 18:00:00 GMT

I love science fiction, because not only does it often paint an optimistic picture of who we may become as a society, but what the future might hold.

The Easy Way to Catch Up on 50 Years of Star Trek

Harry Guinness — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:30:00 GMT

Star Trek is big. Like, really big. There have been six TV series totaling more than 700 episodes, 13 movies, and a whole host of companion novels, comics, and video games. Which all adds up to more Star Trek than you could hope to get through in years of hardcore binge-watching.

7 Geeky Books Everybody Should Read In August 2016

Dann Albright — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Another month, another set of book recommendations direct from MakeUseOf HQ. This article highlights geeky books that we think our readers will enjoy reading over the next month. The coming weeks are a little light on non-fiction releases with a strong tech angle, but there are still plenty of good books to choose from.

What Is Cyberpunk? An Introduction to the Sci-Fi Genre

Dann Albright — Tue, 10 May 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Despite being a popular genre across different types of media, the definition of "cyberpunk" can be a bit nebulous and tough to pin down, especially given its constantly evolving nature. But the world of cyberpunk is a great place to hang out, especially if you know what you're getting yourself into. Here's a crash course in cyberpunk to help you jump right in.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens... To Buy or Not to Buy?

Mihir Patkar — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:30:00 GMT

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the most anticipated movie of 2015, had some high expectations to live up to. For most fans, director J.J. Abrams managed to give them a new hope (almost literally) for future episodes in the saga.

6 New (ish) Science Fiction Movies Better Than Star Wars

Joel Lee — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:00:00 GMT

Star Wars is back in a big way, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens kicking off a new era for this long-running series, making people giddy with excitement. But while the hype is palpable, one has to wonder if it's justified. Is Star Wars really the pinnacle of science fiction movies set in space? Haven't several films already surpassed the Star Wars series?

The Ultimate Guide to the Gadgets of Back to the Future II

Mihir Patkar — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

It's the movie that made us all dream. Back to the Future II, released in 1989, has the protagonist Marty McFly jumping into the future to show us a world full of hoverboards, holograms and clean energy. That "future" was dated October 21, 2015.

4 TV Shows That Get Artificial Intelligence Right

Joel Lee — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

With every year that passes, artificial intelligence shifts away from science fiction and more towards pure science. Some scientists think we should be scared of AI while others think that AI will make our lives better. The only guarantee is that artificial intelligence will happen, and most likely sooner rather than later.

AdBlock Sells Out to Mystery Buyer, Google to Do the Right Thing... [Tech News Digest]

Dave Parrack — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:30:43 GMT

AdBlock sells out, Alphabet employees do the right thing, self-driving taxis arrive in Japan, The Martian mobile game, and the live streamer who set his house on fire.

The Martian, and the Rise of Serial Publishing

Harry Guinness — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:30:00 GMT

Serial publishing is nothing new. To explain what it is, it's when, over the course of months or years, an author publishes their work in several parts, one or two chapters at a time. Once a book has been published serially, it's normally republished in a single collected volume.

How "Molecular Legos" Open Door to True Nanotechnology

Briallyn Smith — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 02:00:00 GMT

Robots are cool. Robots that operate at a molecular level? Those are even cooler -- and there's no limit to what they could accomplish.

Read El Capitan Reviews, Facebook Will Always Be Free... [Tech News Digest]

Dave Parrack — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:30:24 GMT

El Capitan gets reviewed, a reminder that Facebook is free, Google launches its iPad Pro competitor, Twitter considers offering more than 140 characters, and the dangers of time travel are revealed.

DARPA Creates Robot Hand That Can Actually Feel

Andre Infante — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:30:00 GMT

Science fiction has long promised us prosthetic limbs that can meet or exceed the ability of their flesh and blood counterparts. Videogames and movies like Deus Ex and I, Robot have squeezed a lot of mileage out of this trope. For many years, though, this idea has been a bit of a sick joke for real amputees, who are often stuck using simple mechanical claws.

Create Your Own "Neural Paintings" with DeepStyle & Ubuntu

Andre Infante — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:00:00 GMT

Neural networks can do a lot of things. They can interpret images, understand our voices, and translate conversations. But did you know they can also paint?

6 Ways You Can Read Star Wars Fan Fiction Online

Dann Albright — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 17:00:00 GMT

The Star Wars universe extends far beyond the original and prequel trilogies; there are hundreds of books, comics, video games, and other media in which our favorite galaxy far, far away has been explored. And Star Wars fans aren't content to just consume: they want to create.

Lexus Made a Real Hoverboard - But It's Not What You Think

Brad Merrill — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Following a month of teasers, rumors, and speculation, Lexus has unveiled a fascinating pet project to the world: a real, working hoverboard. It doesn't quite live up to the expectations set by Back to the Future, but it's an amazing piece of gear nonetheless.

Want to Live Forever? 6 Technologies That Could Stop Aging

Joel Lee — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:00:00 GMT

Nobody wants to die.

4 Reasons Why You Should Watch Rick and Morty

Andre Infante — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 20:30:00 GMT

Rick and Morty is the smartest, darkest, and most original comedy on television right now. If you still find yourself binge-watching old Futurama episodes despite its cancellation, consider this a more than adequate replacement.

The Terminator Genisys Movie Review for Geeks... Arnie Is Back, Unfortunately

Andre Infante — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 18:30:00 GMT

All the while I was watching Terminator Genisys, the same phrase kept coming back to me… "We have to go back in time and kill the screenwriter."

Beam Me Up, Scotty! The 5 Greatest TV Engineers of All Time

Rachel Kaser — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Geeky television shows are filled with robots, spaceships, and various other gadgets and gizmos, but they didn't get there by themselves. Someone, somewhere, has to invent, build, and maintain all of the technology we see on TV.

Geek TV: 18 of the Best Television Shows for Geeks

Dave Parrack — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 05:30:15 GMT

There have been countless geeky television shows produced over the years, from comedies to dramas, from reality TV to science fiction. But which are the absolute best every self-respecting geek should have watched by now?

The Earliest Accurate Predictions of Wikipedia, Skype, Netflix, Online Learning, and The Internet Itself

Jessica Coccimiglio — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:00:00 GMT

We live in an amazing age. Some would say what we can do through the web now, must have been unimaginable in pre-Internet times.

The Tomorrowland Movie Review for Geeks... Disney's Dour Destiny

Andre Infante — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:30:00 GMT

Are you an optimist, or a pessimist? That's the question at the heart of Tomorrowland, which portrays a world literally dying of pessimism. The film is based loosely on the retro-futuristic Disneyland attraction of the same name. It follows its protagonist, Casey Newton, on an adventure across time, space, and the audience's suspension of disbelief.

The Mad Max: Fury Road Movie Review for Geeks... One Long Crazy Car Chase

Harry Guinness — Wed, 27 May 2015 19:30:00 GMT

A full 30 years after the release of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, George Miller revisits post-apocalyptic Australia with Mad Max: Fury Road, a reboot which sees Tom Hardy replace Mel Gibson. Fury Road isn't a direct sequel to Thunderdome, instead it takes place at an unspecified time earlier in the series' chronology.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Changing Stories Across Mediums

Justin Pot — Tue, 05 May 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Mediums have different strengths and weaknesses, and adapting a text from one to another sometimes calls for substantial changes. No one understood this better than legendary science fiction author Douglas Adams.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Launches First Suborbital Rocket

Andre Infante — Sun, 03 May 2015 19:30:00 GMT

What is it with tech billionaires and space?

5 Reasons to Avoid Buying Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection

Dave Parrack — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 19:30:00 GMT

Star Wars is almost universally beloved by geeks around the world. Sure, it may be more space opera than science fiction, and sure, the Prequel Trilogy may have been so underwhelming as to undo a lot of the good of the Original Trilogy, but Star Wars is still legend.

Get Smart: Watch the Best Futuristic Action Movies

Andre Infante — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:00:00 GMT

Action movies can be absolutely fantastic, but they're rarely smart. They're fun, loud, and engaging - but not usually thought-provoking. Even sci-fi action movies tend to eschew cerebral concepts for a litany of explosions.

Could the Military Really Build a Terminator?

Mark O'Neill — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Robots have been filtering into popular culture for decades, from C3PO to HAL 9000, the Iron Giant to Wall-E.

4 Fantastical Books Featuring Memorable Robot Characters

Rachel Kaser — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Robots are a staple of science fiction literature. They've been heroes, villains, set dressing, dei ex machina, and the metaphorical children of humanity. They've also featured in modern classics like Star Wars, Star Trek, Blade Runner, and countless others.

How Close Are We to Cloning a Mammoth?

Andre Infante — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Doo da DOO doo doo, doo da DOO doo doo, doo da doo-oo doo doo doooooooooo...

The Star Trek Tech We Hope to See in Our Lifetimes

Saikat Basu — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 21:00:00 GMT

One day, a former bomber pilot brought up on pulp fantasies dreamt up a story. He would go on to write it as a not-so-successful TV show called Star Trek.

Celebrate a Decade of the Doctor with the Doctor Who BitTorrent Bundle

Angela Randall — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 19:30:00 GMT

The BBC has just made the groundbreaking decision to release Doctor Who on BitTorrent as a legal download. This is fantastic news for fans worldwide and will hopefully pave the way for more legal BBC content via BitTorrent in the future.

How Hollywood Has Depicted Artificial Intelligence Over The Years

Ryan Dube — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 17:00:00 GMT

Humanity has always had a love-hate relationship with technology, and robots are no different. Over the years, there have been hundreds of movies about sapient robots, and the portrayals have varied wildly.