Evolution in science fiction

[Jeff Hecht <jeff@jeffhecht.com>]

I'm going to be moderating a panel this weekend at a science fiction convention 
called Readercon in suburban Boston. The title is "Is Darwinism Too Good for 
SF?" and it's asking if evolutionary theory "has been _too good_, too 
unassailable and too full of explanatory power, to leave the wiggle room where 
speculative minds can play" that science fiction writers need to write 
memorable stories. Are there evolutionary counterparts of time travel and 
faster-than-light? 

I know a few science-fiction fans are on the list, and I'm curious how you'd 
answer those questions. Stephen Jay Gould's idea that trying to repeat 
evolution wouldn't produce the same results comes to my mind. What comes to 
yours?  


-- 
Jeff Hecht, science & technology writer
jeff@jeffhecht.com or jhecht@nasw.org
525 Auburn St., Auburndale, MA 02466 USA
tel. 617-965-3834  http://www.jeffhecht.com