Paradoxes of the Russian Popadanets` Science Fiction

Abstract

The author supports proposed by R.N. Abramov interpretation of the Russian science fiction development in the genre of alternative history as a reflection of the mass consciousness dynamics of Russians, but attempts, taking into account bibliometric data, to significantly clarify it. The development of this genre should be seen in the context of the evolving historical mentality of "post-Soviet" Russians, which turned out to be characterized by a commitment to virtual versions of historical events. This finds expression in the mass popularity of not only pseudo-scientific literature on the topics of Russian history (for example, so called “new chronology”), but also frankly fantastic “popadanets`s” alternative history. The perception of many periods of Russian history as a trauma that one would like to get rid of by rewriting or “replaying” real events is, to a large extent, a projection onto the past of the critical attitude of many Russians to the post-Soviet present. The decisive motive in this case is a desire for revenge - to change the results of historical events that were unsuccessful for Russia (first of all, military defeats).