Parsec & Prose

Faster than light travel is the engine that makes most of our favorite galaxy-spanning stories possible — and, as far as physics currently knows, it is also impossible. That gap between what writers need and what the universe allows is where the fun lives. This guide is for readers who want the story and the science: we’ll cover why FTL breaks the rules, the clever workarounds authors use, and which books handle it with real care. In this guide Why FTL is the genre's favorite rule-break What real physics says Warp drives and spacetime Wormholes and shortcuts Hyperspace and jump drives The causality problem Stories that handle it thoughtfully FAQ Quick answer: Faster-than-light travel almost certainly can’t happen under known physics, because nothing with mass can reach the speed of light — so science fiction leans on loopholes such as warping space, wormholes, or leaving normal space entirely to get around the limit. Why FTL is the genre's favorite ...

If you’ve ever seen a rain-slicked street glowing with neon and wondered exactly what is cyberpunk, you’re asking about one of science fiction’s most influential and instantly recognizable modes. This guide is for anyone who loves the look but wants to understand the ideas underneath it. We’ll cover the heart of the subgenre, where it came from, its themes and aesthetic, and the books and films that define it. In this guide Cyberpunk in one phrase: high tech, low life Where cyberpunk came from Core themes: power, tech, the body The aesthetic Foundational books Cyberpunk on screen Post-cyberpunk and offshoots FAQ Quick answer: Cyberpunk is a science fiction subgenre built on “high tech, low life” — near-future worlds of powerful computers, cybernetic bodies, and dominant megacorporations, seen from street level by hackers, criminals, and the people the future left behind. Cyberpunk in one phrase: high tech, low life The fastest ans...