I would say that if a story uses that sort of thing, it has a science fiction element. - Edit 2
Before modification by Ghavrel at 28/09/2009 05:23:08 AM
I think that any story which relies so thoroughly on sophisticated/non-existent technology is a science fiction story, since the element of science fiction is integral to the plot.
Brave New World is more obviously more futuristic than Nineteen Eight-Four, but I don't think that precludes the latter from being considered science fiction.
EDIT: By way of analogy, I don't really consider Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lions of Al-Rassan to be fantasy, since the only element of the supernatural is the visions of a minor character. If said character's visions were expanded upon and made the centerpiece of the plot, then I'd call the book a fantasy novel.
Brave New World is more obviously more futuristic than Nineteen Eight-Four, but I don't think that precludes the latter from being considered science fiction.
EDIT: By way of analogy, I don't really consider Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lions of Al-Rassan to be fantasy, since the only element of the supernatural is the visions of a minor character. If said character's visions were expanded upon and made the centerpiece of the plot, then I'd call the book a fantasy novel.