What is Sci-fi: Definition and 127 Discussions

Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Launched on September 24, 1992, the channel deals in programming relating to the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres.
Syfy is available to 92.4 million households in America.

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  1. Y

    Planet with a year of 13 fifty-two day months

    I want to describe a planet that has 13 fifty-two day months and a 36 hour day. IF someone could point me to a place where I can figure this, it would be appreciated. What's the math?
  2. chad hale

    What Sci-Fi clichés do you resent?

    I want to ask you about all of those dreaded Sci-Fi clichés, and which ones would you list among the worst? The Chosen one - I absolutely resent having a hero being central to the story because that individual is a veritable McGuffin or is prophesized to be The only one who can do "X". The...
  3. pac0master

    Alien technologies as portrayed in Sci-fi

    This is something that got me thinking for a while. Especially after learning the basic of physics and chemistry. Basically, pretty much every movies, novel, etc that feature an advanced race of aliens(or any alien in general), they gives them some sort of technology or their organic...
  4. N

    B Why technology & science progress slow / slower than sci-fi?

    In science fiction (sci-fi), everything seems to be much more 'cool' / cooler than in reality. Space travel (like Interstellar), teleport / teleportation, time travel / time machine, going to another planet / another dimensions / another universes, cell regeneration even to the point of...
  5. AaronK

    Any good sci-fi that features semi-accurate physics/science?

    I want to find some good examples of sci-fi where at least fairly solid science (physics if I'm being particular) is featured or explained prominently in the story? Even if the stories are just referencing theoretical work that hasn't yet been experimentally established (like superstring theory...
  6. Y

    A How much energy to fly Spaceships from sci -fi movies

    Hi there, I am currently working for fun project and will like to know if anybody out there could help us with some calculations on how much energy its needed to fly different spaceships, please get in touch if you are interested in participating in the project.
  7. hsdrop

    Science fiction stuff that could never happen

    I would not mind hearing about some of the things that we have either read or watched in the sci-fi world that could never happen in real life (pet peeves and/or total imposables) just to have a little fun debunking and setting strate some of the thing that we have all seen that other may...
  8. F

    Would space stations of sci-fi fame actually work?

    Would a spinning space station as depicted below that use centrifugal force to create artificial gravity actually work? I'm thinking that it would not, this is because the centrifugal force would not affect an astronaut inside unless he was actually fastened mechanically to the hub. The fact...
  9. A

    What would you do if you thought you'd found a portal?

    If you found a portal, what would you do? Who would you tell? What experiments could you think to do and what information would you try to extract? Should you be concerned? Presuming you knew yourself not to be the world's greatest authority on portals/bridges/stargates or whatever, how would...
  10. Willfrid Somogyi

    What Species are "People" in Star Wars?

    One big plot hole seems to be the fact Star Wars is set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away and yet somehow there are humans. Can anyone tell me whether they are actually humans or whether they just have an extremely uncanny resemblance but are in fact another species, is there concrete...
  11. EnumaElish

    Aliens as FTL Humans: Scenario from Sci-Fi Novel

    What do you think of the following scenario*? Aliens are future humans who discovered faster than light travel. They propagated throughout the universe. In so doing they traveled back in time, to our time, or even earlier times. *I read this in a popular space opera novel. It may have been...
  12. Zephyr007

    Is Sherlock Holmes a Sci-fi novel?

    We all know our favorite detective Sherlock Holmes is a fiction character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But do we consider the novels "A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, etc." a sci-fi novel due to the detective's deductions or does it belong to another genre?
  13. Docscientist

    Which Sci-fi novels explore a diverse range of biological concepts?

    Hello friends, I just wanted to know if there is any Sci-fi novel which involves a lot of biological stuffs.
  14. N

    I Why teleportation, time travel, virtual reality haven't happened yet?

    (I apologize beforehand if I'm asking such an 'amateur' question , I admit that I'm not a physics student / physicist nor scientist / science student ,.. but , as just a 'normal ordinary' person, at least I am very interested in these things ,. and how I deeply wish Humanity / Mankind can 'leap...
  15. S

    Writing: Input Wanted Building a Sci-Fi Fantasy Solar System & Planet

    I'm hoping that some of you brilliant scientists can help me understand the realities of a world that I'm building for a story in a distant solar system... I’m building a sci-fi world for a story that takes place on a distant planet that is multiple times the size of earth, but hosts similar...
  16. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Searching for the Perfect Norwegian Fantasy/SciFi Book

    I am looking for a good book to brute force my way through in Norwegian. I'm not looking for anything like Peace and War, or whatever, just a nice fantasy/SciFi book to read. One that I was looking at was Vindens Navn, it seemed pretty neat, but the best I could find (amazon) was an audio book...
  17. E

    Time Warps: Exploring Sci-Fi Hypotheticals

    Okay so I have a completely sci - fi question. Lets say we build something that warps space to travel a shorter distance, would time be warped aswell? Lets say this hypothetical ship travels at 99% of the speed of light without the warp, then time would be diffrent both because of the speed and...
  18. G

    Writing: Input Wanted Exploring the Possibilities of Ancient-Themed Planets in Sci-Fi

    There are several examples of it. Western in Star Wars, Firefly, Cowboy Bebop. Medieval things in W40k. I wonder, whether it can be something cool, new thing, to shape another planet like ancient Egypt? Or is it just forced, lame? Cons : It makes that planet less imaginable in the future...
  19. H

    The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds: A Thrilling Sci-Fi Tale

    The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds. Very well crafted. The usual good-guys-bad-guys shtick.
  20. Ubique

    Which Type of Sci-Fi is Better: Hard or Soft?

    I am a passionate sci-fi fan because of the specific ideas and themes the genre allows authors and readers to experience. It is unique among the literary scene for focusing specifically on a discipline(s) present in every aspect of our lives; that from which we can't escape: SCIENCE. Sci-Fi is...
  21. Digitalism

    New Sci-Fi Series: Babylon 5 & Matrix Creators' Latest

    It's a new series on Netflix from those involved with Babylon 5 and the Matrix. Has anyone here seen it yet? What did you think about it?
  22. Zeedr

    Is this idea remotely possible in the distant future?

    Hello, I was just brainstorming for futuristic inventions with context for a sci-fi, high fidelity game (because I'm too cool to revise for exams) - and I thought of one, but my physics and engineering knowledge is at best sketchy when it comes to gravity and nuclear fusion combinations, I was...
  23. dQniel

    Wormhole the Moon through the Earth

    I'm working on a potential sci-fi story that takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The idea is Something Horrible 1A happens, then, 15-20 years later, Something Horrible 1B comes to finish us off. In a perfect world, the Moon is gone after 1A. Initial possibilities included a long orbit...
  24. M

    What are the Best Sci-Fi Movies About Interstellar Travel?

    After doing my own research I would like to know if anyone can recommend a good Sci-Fi movies on mankind's first interstellar voyage, besides the movie 'Interstellar', which I have seen?
  25. A

    Can a Chaotic Three-Body System Save a Planet from Destruction?

    I am writing a science fiction book, and have had a lot of fun writing it so far. However, I am facing a technical astronomical problem right now that I would appreciate some advice concerning: I am looking for a plausible scenario in which one of a pair of "fraternal" twin suns is about to...
  26. voodooattack

    Flashover: A hard sci-fi novel I'm working on

    Here's a story I've been working on for the past week. It's more of an experiment really. This novel does (or will eventually) interact with a myriad of fields, including computer science, nanotechnology, molecular biology, and quantum mechanics. I'd really love to see some input from...
  27. M

    Fleshing out a sci-fi setting - could use help

    Hi, everyone. I'm planning to write a hard sci-fi story to get some relief from all the fantasy I've been writing lately. I've been brainstorming about a penal colony on a toxic world. It's s mineral rich world (is this Master of Orion talking to me from the grave?) but the organic material...
  28. jedishrfu

    Sci-Fi Swings towards Positivism

    Science fiction is becoming too dystopian and some sci-fi authors are now reconsidering more realistic and more positive storylines: http://www.studio360.org/story/power-of-positive-sci-fi/
  29. A

    Part of the starting of my sci-fi stories

    So tell me what you think folks, is any of this jargon good or does it suck? I claim that it is all original and from me, I did not borrow form anyone. if someone wishes to use my ideas from these stories then do not forget to credit me. all this material is typed from what has remained in a...
  30. M

    Standard Sci-Fi Battles Using Fluid as the Medium?

    Hello! I'm working on creating a sci-fi setting for a tactical space combat video game and short story series, and I had a few questions I couldn't find much info on after googling. I'll be playing a little bit loosely with the laws of physics for the sake of gameplay and storytelling, but I...
  31. N

    Sci-fi FTL and hyperspace jumps and their worries

    I didn't really know where to put this, so I just put it here. What I wanted to discuss was the following: often in sci-fi movies or series they have the capability to travel faster than light one way or another. Whether it is by means of FTL, hyperspace, wormholes or whatever they always...
  32. rrw4rusty

    RFC: The believability of a sci-fi concept: Gravity is an element of e

    Hello, I’m a sci-fi writer and I wish to gage the believability of (or lack of) the following which I’m using in a story. Concerning the extensions to cosmology and quantum physics, one of the cornerstones of my book’s sci-fi universe stems from a strange and intriguing fact that I’ve...
  33. R

    Request for comments about over-complication when writing sci-fi

    Having taken many years to write a huge tome, I'm surprised and very pleased to find this section of the forum. I have already asked about the math involved in accelerating a huge vessel in space, but was acutely aware of typical forum rules about self-promotion. I really would like some...
  34. S

    A sci-fi trilogy background. real science advice needed PLEASE

    I thought I just made a fool of myself trying to post this thread in a wrong place on this forum,and one of precious admins had deleted my thread and put a warning on me, LOL, I just wanted it to be more real and intense. Well, a warning is intensive enough, so, I'd better play smart this time...
  35. W

    What Secrets Could a Giant Spaceship Uncover in Saturn's Rings?

    I am using this in a science fiction novel I am working on for National Novel Writing Month, most of my novel is "soft" but I want to know what we could actually know in this situation. If it helps any the spaceship is about the size of 20 Earths and its going through Saturn.
  36. E

    Sci-Fi Survivalism Game: Challenge Your Mind & Resources in Space

    Hey, I've been practising with 3d modelling programs and mod development and I'm looking to make a game that I've come up with a story for. Basically I'm looking for some realistic advice on what you guys consider fundamental to a game that is based in space. The back story: In the far flung...
  37. onomatomanic

    Boost Your Sci-Fi Writing with Atomic Rockets, Forensics Demystified & More!"

    Dare I suggest another sticky? (Apparently so.) Atomic Rockets Forensics DemystifiedCommonly referred-to scales: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness Kardashev Scale of Technological Advancement @ Wikipedia Unsure about whether or not to include more...
  38. onomatomanic

    Sci-Fi Writing Tips: Dos and Don'ts for Plot Construction

    Could we have a sticky to collect some of the more helpful general advice on the do's and dont's of plot-construction in speculative fiction? I've been reading some of the older threads which have been moved to this board, and came across two insights so far which I found personally useful and...
  39. V

    Sci-fi question: Would the power required to sustain a g-force during acceleration be

    On the way into work this morning, happily reading my book (Leviathan Wakes, would suggest it to any sci-fi space opera fan) and there was a passage that read along the lines “they reduced acceleration to sustain a 1g force during the meal” or something along those lines. Its something you...
  40. S

    How Do You Calculate the Destructive Energy on a Kamikaze Spaceship?

    I hope someone can help me with this. i have a question about kinetic energy and kamikazi spaceships. If i have say a 40,000 Metric ton spacecraft that rams another ship at a specified velocity the other ship not moving i understand that i would apply the kinetic energy of the ramming ship to...
  41. J

    Nuclear fusion to heat a body of water yes, this is a sci-fi question.

    I'm not as smart as many of you, nor is this something I've looked into deeply. I say that not only to excuse my stupidity, but also to appear modest and hopefully likeable/helpable. And I say that (as well as this) not only to appear honest, but also to begin with a little humor. I've...
  42. B

    Which came first? Sci-fi or science?

    So maybe this should go under Philosophy, but I was thinking about this for a while and I need professional input. Read a 1950s science fiction novel. Compare it to modern science that either exists or is on the works. Humanoid robots that think for themselves, living in giant metal structures...
  43. J

    Sci-Fi: speculation about a desert planet

    I'm trying to cook up an interesting desert planet. Dune made me wonder if a tool-using species could turn a planet with plenty of water into a desert planet. Say, one nation starts hoarding water via the "catchments" we saw on Arakis (with some plausible mechanism to prevent evaporation)...
  44. S

    Science fiction writer needs help on sci-fi weapon

    i'm not a physics major so i have to ask a question and i may not know what I'm talking about but here goes. if i had a giant circular accelerator accelerating a metal slug from zero velocity to high velocity with say 10^12 watts per electromagnet in a circle of 10 electromagnets is it possible...
  45. A

    Can a Giant Moon and Enclosed Desert Planet Coexist Realistically in Sci-Fi?

    Greetings Physics Brainiacs, Please advise about the planetary / solar / lunar relationship I've developed in my sci-fi novel. It should be believable and devoid of issues with gravity. The protagonist wakes up on another world. The reader knows only what she does: the day is 44 hours in...
  46. S

    What would a dimension with unstable forces be like?

    Ok, I am no physics major…. I am a writer, but I truly need to get some Physics information. I am sure that should I get this work in progress published, some physics major will be able to blow huge holes in my idea, as it stands today. So I would like to throw out some suppositions here and...
  47. W

    Recommendations for Good Sci-Fi Books for Math Students

    Hey, as you might know, some scientists ( or studiers of science ) gain some sort of inspiration from certain sci-fi books ( such as asimov? ). I'm a math student, but I've never *really* been into sci-fi ( especially not the "technobabbley" kind ), but I have to say that I've been reading a...
  48. C

    What Should We Name Our Sci-Fi Inspired Band for a $200 Prize?

    We really need help naming our band, I just found this forum and it seems like an excellent place to try, so a little contest: If we choose a name you come up with you will receive $200 usd by paypal. The ideal name should grab people's attention. If it helps: we’re inspired by sci-fi...
  49. L

    Time dilation question for a sci-fi story premise

    Greets! Sorry for the random question... I realize this forum is about real physics, so I apologize if this post is inappropriate. I'm not speculating that this is possible -- it's more of a thought experiment about how it would appear if it were. :) I'm pondering a sci-fi plot where...
  50. C

    I need some ideas for a sci-fi essay related to the accident of a LHC.

    Hi all, I'm writing a sci-fi story for a competition, are there any more realistic ideas of what accident can LHC cause that has massive impact on the whole earth? currently, my idea is the formation of massive black holes from quantum ones which led to the Earth being swallowed. How...
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