There exists the Griever Hole – a piece of cutting-edge technology that acts as a portal and control station. Through Thomas' visions, he gains knowledge that "'There's a computer station . It also shuts down the Grievers so they can't follow" them (Dashner 309). This use of advanced technology also indicates that scientific concepts have a strong presence in the text. These reasons begin to demonstrate that science fiction reigns as The Maze Runner's dominant genre. .
Second, novels of the science fiction genre, by definition, include smart, man-made creatures, which The Maze Runner demonstrates. "Artificial intelligence and nanotechnology are current popular themes that fascinate readers and writers alike" (Saricks) in the science fiction genre of literature. The theme of artificial intelligence is present when Thomas and his friends have to experience the Grievers – clever, half-animal half-machine monstrosities, capable of creating strategies. The Griever "looked like an experiment gone terribly wrong – something from a nightmare. Part animal, part machine" (Dashner 126). The Gladers must use this half natural, half synthetic aspect against the Grievers which proves to be an interesting conflict. Likewise, the Beetle Blades are controlled creatures able to traverse the maze. In late chapter 9, Thomas "looked down just in time to see the sun flash off something metallic – a toy rat – scurrying past him A beetle blade. It's how they watch us, Alby had said" (Dashner 65). These beetle blades are tiny creatures created by scientists to spy on the Gladers for the Creators and the Grievers. Both of these artificial beings have deep roots in James Dashner's novel as a theme.
Finally, The Maze Runner incorporates how people would react and what the world would become following an environmental crisis – a significant aspect to science fiction.
