Has sci-fi become more mainstream in the last five years?
You might scan the cinema or TV listings and wonder whether more of the shows have a science-fiction leaning while enjoying the limelight of popular slots on popular channels. You might think about shelf-space in your local library or bookstore and you might even wonder about recent music videos and others works of art and wonder if there’s more sci-fi influence there than ever before.
Geek Native’s research shows that geeks are fairly divided as to whether sci-fi has become more “mainstream”, more mass market and generalist, over the years. Those who don’t identify as geek are far more certain though; sci-fi has become more mainstream.
The stats come from a poll run to support a giveaway of the second series French sci-fi Metal Hurlant Resurgence. To enter the giveaway readers had to say whether they thought of themselves as geeks or not and whether they saw sci-fi becoming more mainstream in the last five years. This method of polling isn’t hugely scientific but does provide some fun analysis.
The exclusive research suggests that 56.5% of geeks, just over half, think sci-fi has become more mainstream in the last
What do you think
Do you agree with these findings? Do they surprise you? You can see how to compare to a live poll of Geek Native’s readers by taking part in the widget vote below.
Image credit: Ruben
I think the definition of sci-fi has gotten a little diluted. There are those who include things like Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. These stories are fantasy. Star Wars and even the more recent Star Trek movies are not so much sci-fi in nature and sci-fi in setting. A space ship and ray gun does not necessarily make a sci-fi story. In true sci-fi, the science, whether real or made up, is central to the story, without it the story would fall apart. Still, I think it is a good thing. There are more sci-fi – type books… Read more »