Science Fiction as a Worldwide Phenomenon: A Study of International Creation, Consumption and Dissemination

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that science fiction is a truly global phenomenon, with diverse creators and consumers across many countries and languages, challenging the notion that it is primarily Western or English-centric.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence of the international creation and consumption of science fiction through network analysis, retailer data, and surveys, highlighting its global reach.

Findings

Science fiction is created in multiple countries and languages.

It is widely consumed across non-English speaking regions.

The international presence of science fiction is confirmed by multiple research methods.

Abstract

This paper examines the international nature of science fiction. The focus of this research is to determine whether science fiction is primarily English speaking and Western or global; being created and consumed by people in non-Western, non-English speaking countries? Science fiction's international presence was found in three ways, by network analysis, by examining a online retailer and with a survey. Condor, a program developed by GalaxyAdvisors was used to determine if science fiction is being talked about by non-English speakers. An analysis of the international Amazon.com websites was done to discover if it was being consumed worldwide. A survey was also conducted to see if people had experience with science fiction. All three research methods revealed similar results. Science fiction was found to be international, with science fiction creators originating in different countries and writing in a host of different languages. English and non-English science fiction was being created and consumed all over the world, not just in the English speaking West.