Why is Speculative Fiction Important?

Post date: Nov 15, 2016 10:21:10 AM

In class, we are looking at the question of why speculative fiction (SciFi/Fantasy) is important. Here is an interesting article discussing that topic, specifically through the lens of Science Fiction. Below is an excerpt of the article discussing three reasons the author puts forth:

Why science fiction is important?

Science fiction is important for at least three reasons. Firstly, by considering worlds that are logically possible, science fiction can be used to explore our place in the universe and consider fundamental philosophical questions about the nature of reality and the mind. Books that explore these issues include Flatland by Edwin Abbott Abbott, Ubik by Philip K. Dick, and 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. Clarke once described science fiction as "the only genuine consciousness-expanding drug"[3].

Secondly, science fiction can inspire more people to become scientists. Edwin Hubble, who provided strong evidence for the big bang theory, and was the first person to prove that galaxiesexist outside of the Milky Way, was inspired to become a scientist after reading Jules Verne novels[4]. Astronomer and science fiction author Carl Sagan was influenced by Robert A. Heinlein[5], and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku enjoyed the television show Flash Gordon as a child[6a].

Kaku stated that:

"years later, I began to realize that the two passions of my life - that is, physics and understanding the future are really the same thing - that if you understand the foundations of physics, you understand what is possible and you understand what could be just beyond the horizon"[6b].

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, science fiction is the only genre that depicts how society could function differently. This is the first step towards progress as it allows us to imagine the future we want, and consider ways to work towards it. It also makes us aware of futures we wish to avoid, and helps us prevent them.

Perhaps the most famous example of the positive effect of science fiction comes from the inclusion of a multiracial cast on the original Star Trek television series. When Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura, was considering leaving the series, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. convinced her to stay[7a]. King argued that her inclusion on Star Trek was important because, as a black woman, she helped represent a future people could aspire to, one where people were judged solely on the content of their character.

Shortly after, Nichols publicly criticized NASA for only selecting white male astronauts, she was invited to NASA headquarters and asked to assist in convincing former applicants to reapply[7b]. This led to the selection of Sally Ride and Guion Bluford, who became NASA's first female and first black American astronauts respectively. NASA's first female black American astronaut, Mae Jemison, directly citied Star Trek as an influence[8], and later appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

In some ways, society has changed dramatically since Star Trek first aired in 1966. Many things that were once science fiction have already become reality: we have walked on the Moon, we have created clones, and synthetic life, and many people now have access to almost all human knowledge through a device that can fit in their pocket. Technology is progressing so fast that it is changing society, leading to unprecedented moral dilemmas and scientific challenges. This means that science fiction is more important now than ever.

As well as considering the effects of current and developing technologies, science fiction can help address long-term problems, such as global warming. It can help with the development of space exploration, and prepare us for problems we may not anticipate. One day, time travel, teleportation, or the genetic engineering of humans may happen, we might communicate with aliens, invent simulated realities, or build intelligent robots, and we'll be better prepared to deal with these, and other potential dilemmas, if we have already thought about them.

Scientist and science fiction author Isaac Asimov summarised the importance of science fiction in 1978, stating:

"It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be...Science fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may be inevitable, solutions are not.

Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today - but the core of science fiction, its essence...has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all"[9].