Down To Earth: An Introduction to Science Fiction and Society
"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." --Isaac Asimov (1920–92)
When you look up at the sky at night, the stars twinkling in their stations keeping, pale light flooding the landscape, reflected off a dark rock scarred by celestial bombardment millions of years before life emerged on this small planet, what do you see?
The answer is different for each person. Some see a vast unexplored realm forever inaccessible to mere mortals. Others see a most majestic example of artistry put forth by the Creator, as Ptolemy did when he placed the Earth at the center of a universe that rotated around us on crystalline spheres. Yet others see the next step in human evolution--the starchild of Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Regardless of what it means to each individual, there is no doubt that the cosmos inspire the collective human soul.
It is this star-born inspiration that has fueled one of the greatest forms of modern literature--science fiction. At the end of the twentieth century and the dawn of a new millennium, the world has fervently embraced this genre. As evidenced by the popularity of recent films such as Independence Day, Men In Black, and Star Wars: Episode I, as well as the continuing prosperity of the Star Trek franchise, there has never been a better time to love sci-fi.
WHAT IS SCIENCE FICTION?
But what is this thing we call science fiction? Is it aliens flying around in spaceships at "warp speed" (Star Trek)? Is it the threat to Earth from giant cockroaches (Starship Troopers)? Is it the plot of an evil senator to control an empire in a galaxy far, far away (Star Wars)?
Well, it’s all of this and more. The great thing about science fiction is that it can truly be enjoyed on different levels. If you just want some entertainment, take notice of the surface elements--spaceships, aliens, ray guns, warp engines, purple food. If you want to do some philosophizing, take notice of what’s underneath--exploration of human emotions, political systems, social injustices, religions, environmental dangers.
Isaac Asimov once said that "modern science fiction is the only form of literature that consistently considers the nature of the changes that face us, the possible consequences, and the possible solutions."
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