Discover published sets by community

A term coined by Robert A. Heinlein in his novel 'Stranger in a Strange Land', meaning to understand something so thoroughly that it becomes part of the observer's own being.

A science fiction theme where a more advanced species helps a less advanced species progress technologically or evolutionarily, as seen in David Brin's 'Uplift' series.

A fictional faster-than-light (FTL) spacecraft propulsion system, often seen in 'Star Trek', that allows for travel between star systems in shorter times than would be possible at sub-light speeds.

A science fiction weapon that fires beams of energy, typically used in classic sci-fi and space opera genres.

Hypothetical particles that travel faster than light, often used in science fiction to side-step the relativistic limitation that nothing can exceed the speed of light.

A term coined by William Gibson in his novel 'Neuromancer' that refers to the virtual reality space of computer networks, especially the internet, as a tangible world.

A hypothetical megastructure that completely encompasses a star and captures a large percentage of its power output for civilization's use, theorized by physicist Freeman Dyson.

A physical phenomenon in quantum mechanics where pairs or groups of particles interact in such a way that the state of each particle cannot be described independently, often used in science fiction to explain FTL communication and computing.

A simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world, used in science fiction to explore themes of perception, reality, and illusion.

A hypothetical device capable of instantaneous or faster-than-light communication, often used in science fiction to enable communication across vast interstellar distances.

Refers to an actual or hypothetical human being whose capabilities are so radically improved from the norm as to merit the label of a new species, commonly explored in transhumanist science fiction.

In science fiction, an enormous artificial structure, such as a space habitat or a Dyson Sphere, which often serves as the setting or subject of a work.

The hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology of a planet, moon, or other body to be similar to those of Earth to make it habitable by Earth-like life.

In the context of science fiction, it often refers to the technological singularity, a hypothetical point in the future when technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, leading to unforeseeable changes to human civilization.

Abbreviation for Faster Than Light, referring to travel or communication that exceeds the speed of light, a common staple in science fiction for enabling interstellar travel.

A spacecraft designed for long-duration flights, where multiple generations of the crew are born, live, and die aboard the ship before it reaches its destination.

Short for Hard Science Fiction, a subgenre that emphasizes scientific accuracy, logic, and rigorous attention to detail in its scientific and technical aspects.

A field of science and engineering focused on the design and creation of structures and machines at the scale of atoms and molecules, often employed in science fiction to explain advanced technological capabilities.

A proposed non-rocket spacelaunch method in which a structure reaches from the surface of the Earth into space with a cable that vehicles can ascend, seen in various science fiction stories.