Introduction: Nostalgia Science Fiction at 2020

1 NOSTALGIA SF AT 2020 Aris Mousoutzanis and Yugin Teo Introduction: Nostalgia Science Fiction at It is perhaps just as valid to suggest that we live in nostalgic times it claim science-fictional times. The latter has been reiterated several since Jean Baudrillard wrote his “Simulacra Fiction” (1981), Donna Haraway suggested “the boundary between science fiction social reality an optical illusion” (149), Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr. described sf “not a genre of literary entertainment, but mode awareness” (388)—an argument validated more recently by Veronica Hollinger her description less “narrative genre” “mode discourse” (139). But this never pertinent than our when, through unprecedented global pandemic, spend most days front screens on platforms such Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams. At the same time, nostalgia boom 2010s—echoing Andreas Huyssen’s “memory boom” 1990s—was already evident films Artist (2011) television series Mad Men (2007-2015). Eventually, trend reached sf, seen Stranger Things (2016-), Black Mirror episodes “San Junipero” (2018), Ready Player One (2018). 2020, also acquired different meaning are reminiscing about not-so-long-ago, pre-COVID-19 As worked project midst found emerged major determinant current structure feeling and, sense, special journal issue seems timelier ever. seeks challenge assumption essentially past thus out place within conventionally associated with future. perception future-oriented itself challenged studies, but, generally, relationship both affect temporality historicity now much complex. Fredric Jameson’s best known persistently registers inability imagine future case point: transforms “our own present into determinate something yet come” provides “a structurally unique ‘method’ for apprehending history” (“Progress” 153). A similar may be nostalgia: reminisced not actual was then experienced rather “imagined, idealized memory desire” “less present” (Hutcheon 20). Furthermore, Svetlana Boym argues Future (2001), conjoins temporal trajectories so “fantasies determined needs have direct impact realities Consideration makes us take responsibility tales” (xvi). Boym’s work very influential studies foundational many 2 SCIENCE FICTION STUDIES, VOLUME 48 (2021) contributors. For example, Natalia Tobin highlights “neither reflective nor relate or Instead, they concerned unrealized, unpredictable, unarticulated” (16). Nostalgia, Matthias Stephan affirms issue, “is double bind, look back (whether real imagined) hope romanticized will become future” (110). This complex indebted defining aspect nostalgia, its liminality. What defines distinguishes from combination apparently contradictory emotions. bittersweet affectionate towards mournful past—it no coincidence Freudian uncanny various scholars, including herself (76) Linda Anderson, who claims “invokes effects time” (71...