Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post - Terrorism in Sci fi

Dave · 5th March 2007, 02:51 AM

It all depends how you define Terrorism. I remember a programme on BBC TV about 10-15 years ago (maybe just after the Berlin Wall came down) with an army general and others, predicting the future of warfare. They said that the old kind of conventionally fought wars would be a thing of the past. That future armies would fight factions and terrorists each with there own agenda. I am still amazed at how close their prediction was, and how soon it came true.

I don't have a definition to hand but Terrorists use 'Terror' to terrorize the general public's opinion towards their stated goals.

However, if you use a more general definition, wouldn't you also include - Luddites, Saboteurs, Chartists, Female Emancipators, Abolitionists, American Black Civil Rights?

As such, this kind of direct violent political struggle has always been with us. I'm sure someone else (JD) can give you an even earlier example, but '1984' has a Resistance movement known as the Brotherhood.

Edit: I have my own. I just watched 'Metropolis' and I don't think you can get an earlier example of a workers revolution in a scifi film than that.

5th March 2007, 02:51 AM	#34 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 11,443	Re: Terrorism in Sci fi - Thesis Question Help Appreciated! It all depends how you define Terrorism. I remember a programme on BBC TV about 10-15 years ago (maybe just after the Berlin Wall came down) with an army general and others, predicting the future of warfare. They said that the old kind of conventionally fought wars would be a thing of the past. That future armies would fight factions and terrorists each with there own agenda. I am still amazed at how close their prediction was, and how soon it came true. I don't have a definition to hand but Terrorists use 'Terror' to terrorize the general public's opinion towards their stated goals. However, if you use a more general definition, wouldn't you also include - Luddites, Saboteurs, Chartists, Female Emancipators, Abolitionists, American Black Civil Rights? As such, this kind of direct violent political struggle has always been with us. I'm sure someone else (JD) can give you an even earlier example, but '1984' has a Resistance movement known as the Brotherhood. Edit: I have my own. I just watched 'Metropolis' and I don't think you can get an earlier example of a workers revolution in a scifi film than that. Last edited by Dave; 8th March 2007 at 10:19 PM.