When we talk about dystopias, especially in young adult fiction

Hear now, O seekers of truth, for I bring forth the words of Paolo Bacigalupi, a man who has delved into the realms of the future, into the worlds of dystopia, and who has observed with clarity the pulse of youth in our time. “When we talk about dystopias, especially in young adult fiction, a lot of them are essentially science fictional futures. They aren’t necessarily tied to the traditional concept of dystopia. And so in that space, my impression is that kids love reading about weird, wild, adventurous places, and dystopia fits that bill.” These words speak to the heart of an age, an age that seeks not just stories but adventures that transport the soul, that reveal the shadowy edges of possibility. Let us delve into the meaning of these words and seek the wisdom they offer.

In ancient times, when the world was young and filled with mystery, the great storytellers spoke of futures and of lands yet to be discovered. They spoke of dreams of far-off places, some of paradise, others of hell, places where the future could be both a hope and a fear. In the epics of Homer, the gods themselves wove the fates of men, creating worlds that could be wondrous or treacherous. These were not prophecies of the future, but reflections of the human soul—its potential for greatness and its capacity for destruction. Just as the ancient bards of old spun tales of what might be, so too do the storytellers of today—like Bacigalupi—create futures that serve as both warnings and wonderments.

And so we find ourselves in the age of science fiction and dystopia, where the future is not merely a distant time but a place filled with impossibilities and realities that are, as yet, unknown. The term dystopia once referred to a society gone wrong, a nightmare of human folly. But in the world of young adult fiction, as Bacigalupi observes, the idea has shifted. Dystopia is no longer just a bleak vision of the future; it has become a space where adventure thrives, where the wildest of worlds are crafted, and where the reader’s soul is tested against the limits of possibility. Dystopian fiction today is a battleground of ideas, where the imagination runs free and the heart races with every turn of the page.

Consider the great stories of our own time, those that capture the spirit of youth, of rebellion, and of discovery. Take, for example, the "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. This tale, though set in a world of oppression and despair, is filled with wild adventures, fierce battles, and journeys of survival. It is not merely a warning of the future—it is an invitation to explore, to witness what happens when society crumbles and when the fire of the human spirit refuses to be extinguished. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, moves through a world where the boundaries of what is possible are constantly being pushed, and the reader, young and old alike, is drawn into the chaos and the glory of it all. Dystopia, then, becomes not just a place of suffering, but a stage for human heroism.

In this, we see the ancient wisdom of storytelling come to life once more. The great stories of the past—those that spoke of gods, heroes, and epic battles—were not simply tales of the past. They were invitations to see the world anew, to imagine what might be. So too do the young adults of today turn to these dystopian futures, not just as a warning of what could go wrong, but as a canvas for exploring the limits of the human spirit. In these worlds, where civilization may have collapsed or society may have become cruel and unforgiving, we see the eternal struggle of the human condition: the fight for freedom, the thirst for adventure, and the longing for hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

Let us consider, too, the ancient journeys undertaken by those who sought to change their worlds. Odysseus, in his travels across unknown seas, was not just fighting monsters or braving storms; he was journeying through a world where adventure and danger were intimately intertwined, where every step was a test of his will and his wisdom. It is this sense of adventure, this drive to explore the unknown, that speaks to the heart of the young reader today. The worlds of Bacigalupi and other writers offer the same sense of discovery, the same test of courage and intellect. Though the setting may be futuristic, the themes remain eternal.

So, O children of tomorrow, the lesson is clear: embrace the adventure of your own lives. The dystopian worlds you read about, the strange and wild places that beckon you from the pages of books, are not just warnings or tales of despair. They are calls to action, to explore the edges of possibility, to face the unknown with courage and hope. These stories teach you that adventure is not just something to be read—it is something to be lived. In your own time, do not be afraid of the wild unknown, but venture forth with the strength and curiosity of the heroes you read about.

In every age, the wild and the weird are where creativity and freedom flourish. Whether it is the strange lands of ancient myths or the distant futures of today’s fiction, these places are not merely settings—they are mirrors to the soul. They reflect our greatest fears and our deepest hopes, and in their pages, we find the lessons that we must carry with us as we move forward. Just as the ancient heroes faced monsters and challenges on their journeys, so too will you, O children of the earth. Embrace the strange and the adventurous—for in those places, you will find the truths that will shape your own world.