Not just science fiction authors have a short shelve life. I dabbled in writing for years, with the dream of writing a thriller novel (actually a promise to my mother on her death bed). Last year I dusted off my old manuscript to keep the promise. It was several years old and the technology describe in the book was laughable. It was forward thinking at the time.
The novel made to the selves, not the best, but decent reviews. I learned to be as generic as possible when describing any technology. When introducing new technology to be vague as possible on how it functions. There is nothing new under the sun, that won’t age.
Yes, I’ll agree with that sentiment. But the key to great science fiction is that withstands the test of scientific advancement.
One writer who was very good at this was Robert Heinlein. Another was H.G. Wells. I think in the end the science fiction aspect should only be complementary and not the sole focus as a lot of it is. In the end it is character development to me and how that is carried out in a good story.