How does Science Fiction project a positive image on future societies?

Introduction:

Science fiction can encompass sub-genres, which can interchange within a single text; combinations of sub-genres could involve romantic-sci-fi, war-sci-fi, comedic-sci-fi and so on. With the exception of the comedy genre, science fiction holds a versatility no other genre can compete with. A notable definition for science fiction is that “[science fiction] texts will concern a world displaced from the reader’s empirical environment in time or space…” (Spencer, 1983, p.45-46). This definition brings forth the idea that science fiction texts are not solely regarded as literature-based around aliens and outer space (Spencer, 1983, p.46), yet an imaginary setting which the reader/viewer recognises but certain aspects of the society has evolved or devolved.

The science fiction genre provides two theme settings for science fiction texts: hard-sci-fi and soft-sci-fi. David Hartwell’s definition of ‘hard-sci-fi’ is “[being] about the emotional experience of describing and confronting what is scientifically true.” (1994, pp.30-34). This brings forth the arguments that ‘hard-sci-fi’ deals with the ‘harder’ sciences such as “…physics, astronomy, mathematics, engineering and chemistry.” (Wilde, 2017). Whereas, ‘soft-sci-fi’ can be argued as encompassing ‘soft sciences such as “…sociology, anthropology, and psychology.” (Kazlev, 2016). A science fiction film such as The Martian (Scott, 2015) therefore can be viewed as a ‘hard-sci-fi’ example, and Indiana Jones and The Crystal Skull (Spielberg, 2008) can be viewed as a ‘soft-sci-fi’. Within this essay, there are examples of future societies in science fiction texts, and how these texts have positively affected the developments in our society today; touching on how it has influenced the development of technology and how it has helped medical professionals to treat patients more efficiently.

Identifying what a positive society is can be subjective, people may believe the current society is a positive one; advancements have been made in healthcare and the economy is relatively stable, which contributes to prosperity and growth. Wherever there is a positive advancement within a sector of our society, it usually results in driving mankind forward with a positive step into the future. Furthering societies knowledge and understanding in areas such as technology enables mankind to further understand the role played within their existence. Future societies depicted on TV such as Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-69) and The Next Generation (1987-94) provide a more positive view of our future as a developing society. In these two TV shows, a future with no limits in our ability as a species to explore and understand our existence can be seen. This utopian theme commonly explored within the genre of science fiction, “[a] imaginative projection, positive or negative, of a society that is substantially different from the one in which the authors lives.” (Claeys & Sargent, 1999, p.1). A dystopian future is that of a depicted society “considerably worse than the society in which the reader lives.” (Claeys & Sargent, 1999, p.2). In comparison to a utopia, the future society in Blade Runner (Scott, 1982) can be perceived as a dystopian future, as we control our environment and have negatively affected it; within this society, people suffer from malnutrition and are forced into manual labour to have any chance of survival. This is not to say that the negative depictions of future societies are solely deleterious, indeed they can provide a subjective view of where our current society is failing. The variability of science fiction texts enables the facility for contradictory statements regarding projections of our societal future. However, some of the most major technological, medical and military advancements in our society today have been based on what the literature of science fiction has imagined.

Medical Technologies:

Taking all the Star Trek texts and dissecting the technologies used within the television series and films, key technologies, which have crossed over into society today can be identified. Bill Bucy states that “diagnostic technology will grow…, from the use of minimally invasive techniques using sound waves to create images of the body’s internal organs.” (Bucy, 1996). This technology is similar to that used by Doctor Beverly Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, she uses a ‘Tricorder’ (See Figure 1) to get biometric scans of her patients without having to place sensors onto their skin.

Figure 1. Star Trek: The Next Generation Medical Tricorder (Memory Alpha, 2019)

This type of medical technology was at this time believed to be ‘science fiction’ (Hopey, 2008). However, in a World-wide competition (Heller, 2017), competitors were tasked with designing a functioning medical device. Multiple contestants designed and created functioning portable ‘tricorder-like’ prototype, which enabled doctors to “…detect …up to 12 conditions (including [anaemia], atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes).” (Heller, 2017). This ability to complete a medical test in the field provides “…essential information [to be] quickly [accessed by] health professionals …miles away.” (Heller, 2017). Moreover, in another similar competition other contestants were able to design a ‘tricorder’ that “can evaluate the environment’s atmospheric conditions, temperature and humidity” (Report, 2015). This projection from a science fiction future society in Star Trek, enabled our society to develop positive change and advancement in our medical industry, giving doctors the ability to assess a patient’s vital signs quickly and efficiently. This medical procedure will be beneficial in crisis areas when and if there is a disease outbreak. Therefore, through the Star Trek’s characters ability to diagnose and treat diseases easier, Star Trek has projected a positive image onto society through its advancements in both the medical and technological industries. Nevertheless, society has not yet reached the limits of what science fiction can teach us today, especially within the context of Star Trek.

In the film Edge of Tomorrow (Liman, 2014), Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt’s characters wear exoskeletons to provide extra strength and stamina to cover ground quicker whilst carrying more equipment than a regular soldier. Despite exoskeletons mainly being used to fight a war in the film, the range of possibilities for exoskeletons are endless, enabling humans to become stronger and faster; our physical limits will be extended. In this society, exoskeletons not only help physically disabled but also advance physical ability within many areas of society. In a recent article, a paralysed man has been given the opportunity to walk again using an exoskeleton. Through surgery doctors implanted “six electrodes” that read the man’s brainwaves and “[converted] them into instructions for controlling the exoskeleton” (Gallagher, 2019). This research is still in its infancy and only being tested in a lab; however, if we, as a society are at this stage now, it could be argued that looking into the future societies of science fictions films such as Edge of Tomorrow, provides a positive image for future societies.

Figure 2. Prototype Exoskeleton (Gallagher, 2019) & Exoskeleton in Edge of Tomorrow (IMDb, 2014).

Military Technologies:

Another example as to how science fiction has influenced society is in our military technologies, in defensive or offensive weapons. During the 1980s and the 1990s, there was a project funded by the United States (U.S), Government with the code name ‘Star Wars’. This project was aimed at producing small portable devices used for defensive capabilities, such as intercepting a ballistic missile if one was being aimed at a ship, building, boat and so on. The researchers could not achieve their goal of developing an offensive weapon as they could not develop a sufficiently compact fibre laser machine (Extance, 2015). There is a clear connection to be drawn between the technologies seen in the original Star Wars Trilogy (1977, 80, 83) and the developments achieved by the U.S, Chinese and European military. This research into weapons developed around lasers is still continuing today, as the current systems are still too big (See Figure 3) (Harper, 2015).

Figure 3. High Energy Mobile Laser used to take down drones (Extance, 2015) & Han Solo’s Heavy Laser Pistol (Wookiepedia, 2019).

Furthermore, the developments into the field of lasers has enabled engineers to create computers that can hold and store more information than before. The predictions brought by Star Wars have provided a positive step for developments in computational power and storage alongside the developments for defensive systems. In the beginning of each Star Wars film, there is a piece of text that states, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” (Star Wars Trilogy,1977, 80, 83), clearly suggesting it is a future society. However today, Star Wars can still be viewed as a future society; as we see in the films societies with advanced technologies and industries. For example, in The Empire Strikes Back (Kershner, 1980), Luke gets his hand cut off by Darth Vader, Luke gets it replaced with a robotic arm. Once again, this reference to advancement of medical sciences depicts a positive effect in society; we are now able to replace limbs with robotic prosthetics, providing full functional use. For this same reason, Star Wars can be argued to be hard and soft-science fiction. As for soft-science fiction, Star Wars includes technology such as hovering cities, cars and spaceships. These technologies depict a positive future society that has developed a way of travelling and living within inhospitable environments. These types of technologies are common themes throughout science fiction genre films; Blade Runner, Back to the Future II (Zemeckis, 1989), Spaceballs, Total Recall (Verhoeven, 1990) and so on.

Multiculturalism & Feminism:

The entire collection of Star Trek literature shows how unified and devoid of all ego society can be, both in terms of its gender politics and its race equality. Science fiction enables gender activists and supporters to “stimulate a new and productive discussion around this issue.” (Zukerman, 2014). A core ideological theme in Star Trek is stated with Star Trek: First Contact (Frakes, 1996) by Captain Jean Luc Picard, “The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in our lives. We work to better ourselves, and the rest of humanity.” (Frakes, 1996). In the society of Star Trek, their society is no longer focused on monetary values but rather an exploration into their existence; therefore, emphasising their humility rather than their ego. This ethos of a society can only be seen as a positive projection due to its ‘eutopian’ themes of a “…considerably better …society.” (Claeys & Sargent, 1999, p.1). Using other science fiction texts as a reference, we can see multiple examples of different races and genders coming together and existing alongside one another. In films such as Guardians of the Galaxy (Gunn, 2014) and TV shows such as Rick and Morty (Harmon & Roiland, 2013), examples of how different races can not only co-exist but thrive. To revolutionise our existence today in terms of its gender politics and racial equality, we as a race should heed the examples set by these positive future societies.

The current state of our modern society is still fighting for equality with the prominent ‘#MeToo’ movement (Me Too Movement, 2019). Hollywood has been slowly increasing its female-led films (Dry, 2019). However, issues remain in the level of diversity in the selection of actresses to play science fiction roles. Malcolm Matthews argues that Hollywood’s “cultural mechanism” of Scarlett Johansson, “…challenge[s] the implication that her …corresponding characters represent figures of female empowerment.” (2018, p.5). Going further to state “[Johansson is] …suited to advertise a type of disguised misogyny reflective of male resistance…” (2018, p.5). This is more of a reflection of the state of our society and how much it needs to improve, in comparison to the societies based within the science fiction. Nevertheless, societies want for stronger female characters is starting to change according to Laurie Penny (2017) “…stories about women remaking the world are finally finding a wide and enthusiastic audience across film, television and literature.”. With this increase comes diversity in stories, roles and mindset. The positive image of feminism and female empowerment within science fiction texts can be positioned as an example of how a society can function in equal definitions of gender (Zukerman, 2014).

Conclusion:

All these developments in the medical, military industries and societal norms have proven positive in our current society. Indeed, we are able to continually develop and create new technologies that help our everyday lives; every month there are new technologies available (Apple Inc, 2019). We can monitor the vital signs of patient’s without having to use an invasive tool (Heller, 2017). We are able to detect and stop a ballistic missile from hitting its intended target, allowing for safe societies across the World. These positive advancements have either started in the science fiction we consume or have developed from the same concepts brought by science fiction texts.

Science fiction provides a positive image of our society in which to place ourselves, yet it does not restrict society from continually developing in its own individualistic manner. Science fiction can provide lessons in how society conducts itself and can provide inventions and mindsets that change the World as we know it. Companies create and develop new technologies, which become regularly available to the general public. In September of 2019, Apple launched four new smartphones at once (Apple Inc, 2019); within the next year, these phones will become outdated by the next stage of technological development. The speed in which we are able to advance and develop new technologies is a testament to our ability to evolve. This is mirrored in the science fiction of the tv series and films we consume. In the context of Star Trek, the positive image of society is evident in how their society functions without money, egos or not ‘so many’ wars (Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-1994). Their sole existence is to drive space exploration and develop their understanding of the role civilisations must play within it; this message is clear from the shows very beginning.

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise, its continuing mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations – to boldly go where no one has gone before.

(Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987-1994)

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