Will you be at Awesome Con in D.C. this weekend? If so, come listen to me pontificate on the panel, “Rise and Prevalence of Dystopian Science Fiction in Pop Culture,” which is set to take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th, at 11:15 a.m. in Room 206.

Here’s what you’ll hear Clyde Wilcox, Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, Robert Chase, and me chewing over should you drop by:

What is the behind the rise of dystopian science fiction and fantasy in pop culture today, and the corresponding decrease of optimistic science fiction? Shows like The Walking Dead and Continuum show different spectrums of a dystopian fate for humanity—one is so-called “apocalyptic,” while the other portrays a future devoid of democracy and ruled by corporations. Most sci-fi movies also have some kind of anti-future bent, and few and far between are movies and television programming showing a positive example of the future. Mixing discussion and clips from example shows and films, panelists— some of whom will include sci-fi and comic authors—will discuss the merits of using dystopian vs. optimistic sci-fi for storytelling, and also try to explain the rise of dystopian sci-fi over the past two decades and the effect these two models of science fiction have on society. Is there a corresponding trend in literature, as well?

If you’ll be at the con but can’t make the panel, let me know anyway. I’d love to catch up.

Hope to see you there!