The idea of creating an artificial human is an old one. One of the earliest science-fictional novels, Frankenstein, concerned itself primarily with the hubris of creation, and oneâs relationship to oneâs creator. Later versions of this âartificial humanâ story (and indeed later adaptations of Frankenstein) changed the focus to more modernist questionsâĻ What is the nature of humanity? What does it mean to be human? These stories continued through the golden age of science fiction with Isaac Asimovâs I Robot story cycle, and then through post-modern iterations from new wave writers like Philip K. Dick. Today, this compelling science fiction trope persists in mass media narratives like Westworld and Ridley Scottâs Blade Runner, as well as twenty-first century science fiction novels like Charles Strossâs Saturn's Children and Paolo Bacigalupiâs The Windup Girl. The short stories in More Human than Human demonstrate the depth and breadth of artificial humanity in contemporary science fiction. Issues of passing . . . of what it is to be human . . . of autonomy and slavery and oppression, and yes, the hubris of creation; these ideas have fascinated us for at least two hundred years, and this selection of stories demonstrates why it is such an alluring and recurring conceit.
Sciencefiction en fantasy