About Nicholas Michalczyk

In my storytelling, I strive to imitate the antiquated science fiction books I used to gather in a local used bookstore over a decade ago. The vibrant, surreal cover illustrations showing mysterious other worlds are as intriguing to me now as they were back then. Many of these books were written long before robotic space exploration revealed what the other planets look like up close; some were even written before the first Moon landing. Thus, it seems to me that now, in a time when space programs are attempting to send humans back to the Moon and on to Mars, the science fiction space-adventure story should again find its place on the popular reading shelf.

Recently, the rise of artificial intelligence has raised troubling questions about the nature of human beings and their relationship with machines, questions that were often pondered by the science fiction writers of the twentieth century. Because today’s hopes and concerns about the future of AI reflect the expectations found in the science fiction of prior generations, there is much to be gleaned from reading these stories and carefully considering the assumptions they make about the human person, the nature of technology, and the meaning of consciousness. Understanding these narratives may provide insights into how AI systems can be best integrated into society, as well as supplying material for today’s science fiction narratives, which will no doubt play a role in forming future generations of thinkers and engineers.

Another pervasive theme that appears in many science fiction stories is the theme of spirituality. Whether it’s a messiah that shall come in the distant galactic future or a computer that creates the universe, science fiction stories frequently converse with traditional religious narratives. Much of my previous research into science fiction has focused on highlighting how the genre has been used as a vehicle for grappling with the ultimate questions. My own writing likewise introduces these motifs.