Sci-Friday: Small Stories Filled With Big Ideas

Essential night stand staples for the Sci-Fi lovin' futures thinker.

Several years ago, I discovered "The Big Book of Science Fiction" edited by Jeff VanderMeer and Ann Vandermeer. Spanning over 1,200 pages, this comprehensive anthology features a myriad of short stories from some of the genre's most distinguished writers. The collection is thoughtfully organized in chronological order, beginning with pioneering tales from the dawn of the 20th century. Notably, it also showcases non-western science fiction, reflecting the rich diversity of its contributors.

More than a source of entertainment, this book offers an exploration of the genre, providing insights into the historical and cultural contexts in which these stories were penned.

A few weeks ago, Jared from Raptor Velocity reached out to me. He's the editor behind "The Big Book of Cyberpunk," a sequel in spirit to the VanderMeers' esteemed anthology. He graciously provided me with an advanced copy, and I've since delved into numerous stories within (108 to be exact). Many are penned by trailblazers in the genre, and some even predate the cyberpunk movement itself.

Be sure to check out this post from Jared where he unearths a few stories that didn’t make the final edit of the book but are still worth reading.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi or a practitioner of Design Fiction looking for some diegetic prototypes or scenario inspiration, this book is chalk-full of prescient predictions.

I'm genuinely enjoying this "Big Book" series and eagerly anticipate future editions, perhaps covering themes like Solarpunk, Planet Colonization, and Artificial Intelligence.