Jack London: SF Pioneer?

[knivesout]

So claims Dr. Clarice Stasz, Sonoma State University.

London explored numerous styles of science fiction: pre-history, apocalyptic catastrophe, future war, scientific dystopias, technocratic utopias. Running through most stories are the ideas of social evolution, racialism, and anti-capitalism. In some stories, London emphasizes "social science fiction," the problems of society, particularly the exploitation of workers and the materialism of capitalism.

More here: http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/London/Essays/scifi.html

(Also check the 'First SF Story' topic for a link to an Ambrose Bierce story which, even though it is mainly horror, uses scientific principles as the basis for its horror. I'm not trying to claim every writer ever for the SF genre, just exploring the SF-like tales that can be found in areas you'd usually not expect them. It helps in gaining a broader understading of what this SF thing is, and definitely introduces me to some great new stories!)

[Foxbat]

I remember many many many moons ago reading a Jack London story called 'The Scarlet Plague'. It was a story of survivors and how they try to rebuild their lives and civilisation. Considering the number of Post-Apocalypse stories flying around nowadays, I think it fair to say that London was something of a pioneer (along with many others). A fine read from what I remember. Methinks I'll have to go get me a new copy

[tschurter]

Jack London?

Wasn't he the author of numerous outdoors novels, particularly with dogs?

Or am I completely confused???

[knivesout]

It's the same chap - author of White Fang, Call of The Wild, and scores of short stories a small percentage of which just may qualify as proto-sf!

[I, Brian]

Ah...the did ring a bell.

[fallenstar]

I thought he was just a writer of adventure stories and things like hunting and stuff. I just did a commentary on his short story "The Law of Life". Don't think a lot of you heard of that, but that was a long boring story (I wonder why I chose that one), and so are my commentary, long and boring. From then I DO NOT like him.......by the way how is he a SF pionner??I don't remember reading a some how related to SF story by Jack London

[Foxbat]

how is he a SF pionner??

As I mentioned earlier - The Scarlet Plague. It holds its own with many of the post apolcalypse type films and stories we have been subjected to in recent years. Given the time it was written (a time most agree when SF was in its infancy) this, in my opinion, qualifies him as something of a pioneer - but, as I said earlier, only one of many. I would also call Poe, Verne, Swift and others pioneers.