Developed with:
"Despite the fact that I write at length about what people would consider to be metaphysical issues, I'm a rationalist. I think that the lesson that one should take from science fiction is that there's nothing that's outside of the boundaries of science... The favorite review of my book is one from the Toronto Star which says, 'Sawyer forces us to grapple with questions that we used to think were too metaphysical to deal with rationally.' That's what I think good science fiction is: the rational approach to the metaphysical."
-- Robert J. Sawyer (from an interview)
Robert J. Sawyer is Canada's only full-time science fiction author. Author of 12 novels (with 3 more pending), winner of the Nebula and Hugo awards as well as many other international awards, and former President of the Science Fiction Writers' of America.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rob at Eeriecon III, in Niagra Falls, NY. I had scheduled an interview with him because I was incredibly impressed with his work, and wished to get his views on various topics. We discussed writing (both in general and his work specifically), as well as the themes of what science is meant to do, immortality, evolution, and other topics. It was honestly some of the most fun I've had in a long time, and I was as impressed with him in person as I was with the fine stories that he tells.
Rob's work tackles heavy themes, and does not shirk from the consequences of them. Whether it's science, religion, or man's role in the universe, Rob is able to juggle these themes on the level of a master of literature. Though not exhaustive, what follows is a list of some topics and themes that have a strong presence in Rob's work:
- Evolution & Creationism
- Neanderthal Parallax Trilogy (Hominids, Humans, Hybrids), Quintaglio Trilogy (Far-Seer, Fossil Hunter, Foreigner), The Terminal Experiment, Illegal Alien, Starplex, Frameshift & Calculating God
- Immortality
- The Terminal Experiment, Starplex, & FlashForward
- Existence of the soul
- Neanderthal Parallax Trilogy, The Terminal Experiment
- Role of science in the world (explicit discussions)
- The Terminal Experiment, FlashForward & Calculating God
- Man vs. Machine
- Golden Fleece & Factoring Humanity
- Fate vs. Free Will
- FlashForward
- Artificial Intelligence/Consciousness
- Golden Fleece & Factoring Humanity
- Replicated Consciousness
- Golden Fleece & The Terminal Experiment
- Collective unconscious
- Factoring Humanity
- Racial issues
- Neanderthal Parallax, Starplex & Illegal Aliens
- Repressed & implanted memories
- Factoring Humanity
- What is life?
- Starplex, Illegal Aliens & Calculating God
- Genetics
- Frameshift, Illegal Alien, & Calculating God
- Nanotechnology
- The Terminal Experiment
- Quantum physics
- Starplex, FlashForward, Golden Fleece, & Factoring Humanity
- Quantum computing
- Neanderthal Parallax Trilogy, Factoring Humanity & Golden Fleece
- Time travel
- Starplex, End of an Era & FlashForward
Robert J. Sawyer
speaks
(Selected topics from interview,
along with references to specific books where applicable)
Full interview with Robert J. Sawyer
Rob's books
Bibliography with comments/overviews
Robert J. Sawyer, shrouded in mystery whilst signing my books.
Two pictures of me with Rob.
I knew that, eventually, someone would figure out how to get the damn flash
to work!
Pictures Copyrighted 2001, Andrew Zimmerman Jones
See AZJones' work at:AZJ Essay Appears in My essay,
"Exploring the Dark Side of the Rainbow," is out in Don't know the connection? "Diminished Capacity" Other stories available in these anthologies: |