Today, January 2nd, is National Science Fiction Day. National Science Fiction Day is a day that celebrates the science fiction genre-its stories, ideas, and impact on science, technology, and culture.
The date of January 2nd was chosen to observe National Science Fiction Day because it is the birthdate of famed science fiction author (and one of the most influential figures in the field) Isaac Asimov, born January 2, 1920. It has been observed since 2011.
Science Fiction and Me
To the best of my recollection, when I started reading as a child the first genre of interest for me was science fiction.
First, I was reading superhero comic books which are certainly a form of science fiction, such as (obviously) Superman. But even earthbound heroes like Batman and others had their phase of science fiction adventures in the late 50’s and early 60’s.
Second, the first books I found intriguing were the stories of Tom Swift (or more accurately Tom Swift Jr.) because of their grounding and setting in science and science fiction. Those were followed by authors such as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and then Robert A. Heinlein, Pohl Anderson, Madeleine L’Engle, Arthur C. Clarke, James Blish, Ray Bradbury and others.
That interest in reading about science fiction also held true in my media viewing choices because…
Third, the first TV series I had real interest in were science fiction based. I grew up watching westerns because that’s what my dad watched and series like Lassie and Rin Tin Tin because what boy doesn’t love stories about dogs, (except maybe the current occupant of the White House) but when shows like The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Lost in Space, Star Trek, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Invaders came on the scene they were all I had an interest in watching (somehow I missed ever even being exposed to Doctor Who in my youth, but I made up for that lack later in life).
Fourth, my favorite movies of my childhood were films like The Time Machine, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Planet of the Apes, First Men in the Moon, and Fantastic Voyage (Raquel Welch, notwithstanding, lol).
And I remember being at the doctor’s office when I was 8 or 9 and he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My answer; an astronaut. However, my near complete non-aptitude for math scuttled that dream.
But even today, though my reading and viewing interests have grown and expanded, my default subject and genre choice is science fiction.
How Can You Celebrate National Science Fiction Day?
People often celebrate National Science Fiction Day by:
- Reading a science fiction story
- Watching a science fiction-themed TV show, series or movie
- Sharing their favorite science fiction stories or characters on social media (#NationalScienceFictionDay)
- Discussing how science fiction inspires REAL science and REAL inventions
- Participating in themed events at libraries, book stores, conventions or other gatherings
It is, at its core, a day to appreciate and celebrate the imagination, curiosity, and future-thinking that makes up the basis of what we call Science Fiction.
So, Happy National Science Fiction Day!
