The text explores various emerging speculative fiction microgenres that reflect diverse global perspectives on the future, moving beyond the traditional cyberpunk narrative. Ranging from chaohuan, a genre reflecting the rapid changes in contemporary China, to Afrofuturism, which imagines futures through the lens of African and diasporic cultures, each microgenre engages with social, political, and environmental themes. Other notable genres include Gulf Futurism, Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi), Solarpunk, Water Crisis Thrillers, Kitchen Sink Dystopia, Woke Space Opera, and The New Weird. Each genre not only presents unique storytelling but also comments on current societal issues, showcasing the rich tapestry of modern speculative fiction.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergence of Chinese Sci-Fi and Chaohuan | A growing trend in Chinese speculative writing capturing rapid societal changes. | Shift from traditional literature to speculative genres to reflect China’s rapid transformation. | In ten years, we may see a dominant global niche for Chinese literature in speculative genres. | The Chinese society’s pace of change needs new forms of expression beyond realism. | 4 |
| Revival of Afrofuturism | Afrofuturism gains traction following Black Panther, emphasizing black narratives in the future. | Shift from Eurocentric narratives to foregrounding African and diasporic perspectives in speculative fiction. | Afrofuturism may redefine global narratives, showcasing diverse futures and cultures. | A desire for empowerment and visibility in storytelling among marginalized groups. | 5 |
| Gulf Futurism Critiques | Gulf Futurism emerges critiquing hypercapitalism in the Gulf States. | Change from gleaming fantasy portrayals of the Gulf to critical explorations of social issues. | Expect a more nuanced understanding of identity, culture, and social justice in Gulf narratives. | The need for social justice and critique of existing power structures within hypercapitalism. | 3 |
| Climate Fiction Movement | Rise of ‘Cli-Fi’ as a response to climate change narratives in literature. | Shift from irrelevant contemporary themes to incorporating climate change as a central plot element. | In ten years, mainstream literature may universally integrate climate change as a core theme. | The urgent awareness of climate change impacts on humanity and the environment. | 5 |
| Emerging Solarpunk Ideology | Solarpunk offers positive, sustainable visions contrasting with cyberpunk’s dystopian themes. | Shift from violent and nihilistic futures to hopeful sustainable societies. | In a decade, solarpunk narratives could inspire real-world changes towards sustainability. | A collective yearning for hope and viable solutions in a warming world. | 5 |
| Water Crisis in Literature | Focus on water scarcity and crises as a pressing narrative in contemporary fiction. | Shift from general dystopic themes to specific, urgent scenarios regarding water shortages. | Expect more real-world inspired narratives focusing on essential resources like water. | Increasing global awareness of environmental issues like drought and water management. | 4 |
| Kitchen Sink Dystopia Concepts | Emerging narratives explore mundane realities under extreme socio-economic conditions. | Transition from traditional dystopias to more subtle, realistic socio-economic critiques. | Over time, these narratives may provoke deeper societal conversations about capitalism. | The normalization of socio-economic critiques in day-to-day life as a theme in storytelling. | 3 |
| Woke Space Opera Emergence | A new wave of space opera features contemporary sociopolitical themes. | Shift from traditional sci-fi plots to those that tackle contemporary social issues. | In a decade, woke space operas may reshape perceptions of traditional sci-fi genres. | Current socio-political climates demand reflection in all genres, including space narratives. | 4 |
| Resurgence of the New Weird | The New Weird genre blends horror and speculative fiction in eerie settings. | Transition from conventional narrative forms to bizarre, unsettling compositions. | Expect new storytelling forms that challenge reality and human identity conventions. | A cultural fascination with the uncanny as a response to our complex world. | 2 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Censorship and Political Sensitivity in Literature | The authors face restrictions on critiquing the government, leading to indirect political commentary. | 4 |
| Social Issues and Cultural Representation in Speculative Fiction | Emerging genres like Afrofuturism and chaohuan address current societal challenges and historic narratives. | 5 |
| Environmental Impacts and Climate Change | The rise of climate fiction reflects growing concerns about environmental catastrophe and its societal effects. | 5 |
| Water Scarcity and Crisis | Speculative narratives examine the dire implications of water shortages as a growing global issue. | 5 |
| Hypercapitalism and Consumerism | Critique of consumer culture and its impact on identity and society within Gulf Futurism and other genres. | 4 |
| Technological Surveillance and Control | Fiction exploring the weaponization of smart home technology raises concerns about privacy and abuse. | 3 |
| Inequality and Class Stratification | Fiction depicting societal divisions highlights concerns about economic polarization and social justice. | 5 |
| Alternative Histories and Futures | Genres like Afrofuturism challenge dominant narratives, proposing new ways of envisioning the future. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Chaohuan | A new literary genre from China that captures a reality stranger than fiction, addressing social issues while maintaining a fabulous quality. | 5 |
| Afrofuturism 2.0 | A movement reclaiming narratives of black lives and futures, expanding beyond fiction to critique and engage with technology and ethics. | 5 |
| Gulf Futurism | Explores hyperdevelopment aesthetics in the Gulf region, critiquing isolation, consumerism, and social justice issues. | 4 |
| Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) | Fiction centered on climate change, pushing the boundaries of traditional narrative forms to grapple with the Anthropocene. | 5 |
| Solarpunk | A hopeful vision of a sustainable future, focusing on community, eco-activism, and ingenuity as resistant narratives. | 5 |
| Water Crisis Thrillers | Thrillers focusing on imminent water scarcity and drought, reflecting real-world environmental challenges. | 4 |
| Kitchen Sink Dystopia | Minimally speculative futures that explore the debasement of daily life under capitalism, highlighting mundane societal issues. | 3 |
| Woke Space Opera | A genre merging classic sci-fi with contemporary sociopolitical themes, challenging traditional narratives within space opera. | 4 |
| The New Weird | A blend of supernatural horror and sci-fi, featuring mutated characters and uncanny environments that challenge human norms. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| A genre capturing modern China’s rapid, often surreal changes, blending realism with speculative themes. | 4 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| A movement envisioning futures centered on black culture and history, challenging colonial narratives. | 5 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Explores hyperdevelopment in Gulf states while critiquing consumerism and erasure of history. | 3 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Fiction focusing on climate change’s impact, encouraging narratives that reflect today’s ecological crises. | 5 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Envisions sustainable societies, merging eco-activism with speculative fiction and art. | 4 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Explores narratives around impending water scarcity and its societal impacts. | 4 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Telling mundane stories that divulge the subtleties of late capitalism and technological desensitization. | 3 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| Science fiction that incorporates social justice themes within space exploration narratives. | 4 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| A genre blending horror with speculative elements, presenting uncanny and bizarre narratives. | 3 | ea514604c28fcc0a7026b08afac03909 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Sci-Fi and Chaohuan | Emerging genre that reflects the rapid changes in China, utilizing indirect critique and magical realism to address social issues. | 4 |
| Afrofuturism | A movement broadening the spectrum of speculative fiction by centering African and diasporic cultures and histories in future narratives. | 5 |
| Gulf Futurism | A concept exploring hyperdevelopment and its societal impacts within the Gulf region, with a critique of consumerism and historical erasure. | 3 |
| Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) | A rapidly growing genre focused on climate change narratives, reflecting existential crises and environmental degradation. | 5 |
| Solarpunk | A hopeful narrative movement envisioning sustainable futures and communities, contrasting cyberpunk’s dystopian outlook. | 4 |
| Water Crisis Thrillers | Fiction exploring imminent realities of water scarcity and crisis, emphasizing ecological degradation and survival. | 4 |
| Kitchen Sink Dystopia | Explores the mundane debasement of everyday life under capitalism, revealing dystopian aspects in minimalistic settings. | 3 |
| Woke Space Opera | A new approach to space opera that incorporates contemporary sociopolitical issues and diverse perspectives. | 4 |
| The New Weird | Blending supernatural horror with speculative fiction, this genre explores bizarre and unsettling narratives beyond traditional tropes. | 3 |