Science Friction: An Argument for More Sex in Sci-Fi
This first appeared in Lit Hub’s Craft of Writing newsletter—sign up here. For centuries, sailors enduring months-long voyages would gaze out at sea mammals sunning themselves and think the thought as old as thought itself: “Would.” Even famously reliable Christopher
Science Friction: An Argument for More Sex in Sci-Fi
For centuries, sailors relied on the allure of sea mammals to alleviate the monotony of lengthy voyages. Even the infamous Christopher Columbus mistakenly identified manatees as mermaids, a tale that originated long before his time. This primal urge, isolated men on a ship in a vast sea, would likely result in intimate encounters.
The fascination with sex in science fiction is often absent, as writers tend to prioritize science over romance, treating desire as a primitive and impractical technology. However, with the advent of artificial gravity in fictional worlds, there's no reason to shy away from depicting human relationships. In reality, no one has ever engaged in space sex, but the concept is not entirely unfeasible.
Writers who have included sexual content in their works often approach it with a sense of absurdity and kinkiness, reflecting the genre's tendency to push boundaries. Despite the inherent weirdness and awkwardness, it is essential for science fiction to acknowledge the universal human experience of desire, even in the most extreme environments.
By incorporating genuine human emotions and relationships, sci-fi stories can better resonate with readers and maintain the genre's focus on exploration and explanation.
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