List of Science Fiction Clichés

Editor's Note:
This is a list of clichés (An idea so often used that its original power has been drained away). I receive many emails pointing out that some book uses one of these Clichés usually followed by calling me an idiot.

The point is that many of these Clichés are USED in good books, or even movies. The first time, great! The next time, not so great. The hundredth time - it is overused. If you use one of these in a new work, you are guilty of using an idea that has appeared often enough in the past to be an obvious overused Cliché.

A few hacks have taken the list and pointed out works in the past that use the Clichés. Rather than making a point, they are proving that these are just what it says, overused Clichés.

Others have taken the list and shown that there is some veracity in them. Usually explaining why some fantasy character acted like they did, or why a unicorn should be in a story. This has nothing to do with the fact that the concept is overused.

Please note that once a plot, character, setting or concept has been used once in any Star Trek episode, it is forever poisioned, and it cannot be used in any Science Fiction story ever again with impunity.

The Symbols:

	The green check marks those items which are not so bad, but have been used so many times that it takes a really strong treatment to lift them out of the slush pile. They will not destroy an otherwise well-written story, and some of the classics employ these elements (and employ them well).
	The yellow check marks those items which were mildly interesting the first time around, but simply provoke a response along the lines of " been there, done that" on the re-runs. Only a truly bizarre twist on these ideas can give them new life.
	The red check marks those items which have been used over and over and over, making them a classic cliche. Writers who use this idea should have their fingers broken and be forever banned from writing Science Fiction.
	The green cross marks those items which are baloney, but are tolerable for the sake of dramatic effect as long as the events of the story do not depend on them.
	The yellow cross marks those items which are lame, and support the plot in some way, but can be saved if there is a supporting justification. For instance, having a robot bleed oil when it gets shot is pretty lame; having a hydraulically-powered robot leak hydraulic fluid when shot is creditable.
	The red cross marks those items which flatly contradict the known laws of nature, introduce an irreconcilable contradiction, require the characters involved to have the IQ of a banana peel, or are abysmally stupid for some other reason.
	The Starfleet logo marks those items for which Star Trek has been an offender, Or an idea that has appeared in a Star Trek episode forever poisoning it for future use.
	The pig marks those items that are unconscionably sexist.
	The klan symbol marks those items that show racial, ethnic, or religious bigotry. This might be subtle or unintentional. Sometimes the offense may be the product of different times and different standards, but viewed today makes one cringe.

Add your own Cliche

Overused Plots and Storylines:

Overused Settings and Characterizations:

Overused story events and plot devices:

Silly Science:

Add a new Cliché to the list

Note: The original Grand List of Overused Science Fiction Clichés was originally developed elswhere. A one point I added the ability for users to add new clichés. This User supplied list has reached the point where the original list is superfluous and I have removed it. The current user supplied list is more interest.