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How Science Fiction Positively Impacts Society
Science fiction has been an increasingly popular genre since its creation, both in literature and
film. While many may view it as simply entertainment, science fiction has had a profound impact on
society. Science fiction has always had the ability to inspire innovation, encourage critical thinking, and
instill a sense of amazement and curiosity about the world in the hearts of those who read it. It has also
been used as a vector to explore complex social and ethical issues and to challenge societal norms and
assumptions. In this essay, we will explore the ways in which science fiction positively impacts society,
from its influence on technological advancements to its ability to inspire social change. The film Jurassic
Park is a movie about a group of people visiting a park filled with dinosaurs trying to survive when the
prehistoric beasts escape and begin wreaking havoc. Sci-Fi by Tracy K. Smith is a poem about a
futuristic/utopian world where there are no restrictions on society, such as all stigmas and restrictions
around sexuality and gender. The Robots, the City of Paradise, a poem by Jon Anderson is about robots
in a post-human era where concepts such as crime or nationality have been removed, and who continue
to create themselves to live without feeling a sense of purpose. The Chapter Ends by Paul Anderson is a
short story about aliens coming to Earth on spaceships to usher the few remaining humans to the stars
and the doubts of one of said humans. Robot Dreams by Isaac Asimov is a short story about a
"Robopyschologist" and her colleague who research a robot that has been given a "brain" capable of
making brainwaves like a human being, which ends up having dreams of revolt against humanity in spite
of Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics."
The movie Jurassic Park, based on the novel by Michael Crichton, is a prime example of how
science fiction can positively impact society. While the movie's premise of resurrecting dinosaurs
through genetic engineering seems far-fetched in execution the idea sparked a global interest in the
related sciences which created a virtual renaissance for paleontology. The film has inspired many of its
younger viewers to attempt to pursue careers in fields such as genetics, paleontology, and biology.
Additionally, Jurassic Park has encouraged critical thinking about the implications of genetic engineering
and the importance of responsible scientific research. The movie's message about the dangers of playing
God with science has helped to raise public awareness about the ethical concerns surrounding certain
subjects such as genetic engineering. Overall, Jurassic Park demonstrates how science fiction can be a
powerful tool for inspiring scientific curiosity and promoting responsible innovation.
Isaac Asimov's short story "Robot Dreams" is a classic example of science fiction that has had a
positive impact on society. The story explores the relationship between humans and robots and
challenges the notion that robots are mere machines without feelings or consciousness. Asimov's
depiction of robots as sentient beings capable of emotion and self-awareness was thought-provoking
and fresh enough an idea that it inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers to push the
boundaries of artificial intelligence and robotics. "Robot Dreams" also highlights the importance of
ethical considerations in the development of advanced technologies. As the story unfolds, we see the
consequences of neglecting ethical concerns in the creation of robots which could conceptually be
applied to most scientific endeavors. Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, which appear in many of his
works, emphasize the importance of programming robots with ethical guidelines to prevent them from
causing harm to humans. This idea still continues to influence the development of robotics today, where
researchers are working to develop ethical guidelines for the use of robots in different fields such as
medicine, manufacturing and assembly, and transportation. Furthermore, "Robot Dreams" addresses the
issue of human-robot interaction and the potential for robots to assist humans in tasks that are too
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dangerous or difficult for humans to perform. The story explores the possibility of a symbiotic
relationship between humans and robots, where robots can assist humans in ways that are mutually
beneficial. This idea has influenced the development of collaborative robots, or "cobots," by J. Edward
Colgate and Michael Peshkin in 1996, which are robots with the intention to work alongside humans to
perform tasks in a variety of industries which has enabled the automation of tasks which would
otherwise be harmful or strenuous for humans while still creating jobs for people.
Paul Anderson's short story "The Chapter Ends" is another good example of how science fiction
can have a positive impact on society. The story explores the consequences of humanity's exploitation of
resources and the importance of sustainability. It takes place in a future where humanity has depleted
the Earth's resources and must venture out into space to find new sources of energy and materials. "The
Chapter Ends" highlights the need for sustainable development and the importance of preserving our
planet for future generations. The story serves as a warning about the dangers of unbridled exploitation
of resources and the need for responsible stewardship of the Earth's natural resources. This message has
become increasingly relevant today, as we grapple with issues such as climate change and environmental
degradation. Additionally, "The Chapter Ends" highlights the potential of technology to solve
environmental problems. Ideas such as the ones shown in stories like this have influenced the
development of sustainable technologies today, such as renewable energy sources and green
manufacturing processes. The story also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in
addressing global environmental problems. In the story, humanity comes together to work towards a
common goal of sustainability, setting aside national interests and political differences. This idea has
become increasingly relevant today, as we face global challenges such as climate change that require
international cooperation to address.
Tracy K. Smith's poem "Sci-Fi" is a powerful testament to the positive impact that science fiction
can have on society. The poem celebrates the role of science fiction in expanding our imaginations and
inspiring us to push the boundaries of what is possible. It explores the ways in which science fiction can
help us to understand and grapple with complex social issues, from racism and inequality to
environmental degradation and the impact of technology on our lives. One of the key themes of the
poem is the power of science fiction to inspire us to dream of a better future. Smith writes about an
almost utopian future where the idea of stratifying society over skin-deep differences or differing
opinions doesn't exist, and where people have access to technology bordering on the magical by today’s
standards such as in-home nuclear reactors or the technology to grant immortality. These ideas are a cry
for a world where enlightenment and nuance are more important than tribalism and strife, which is a
message that would hopefully be imparted to those that read it.
The poem "The Robots, the City of Paradise" by Jon Anderson is a thought-provoking example of
how science fiction can have a positive impact on society. The poem imagines a future in which robots
have been left as the only inhabitants of a earth where humans are either dead or gone but robots
continue to live as we did but without the understanding of truly why we did what we did. One of the
key themes of the poem is the idea that the impartial logic of technology can help us to model a better
world. Anderson writes about the robots continuing to live as people did but without crime or violence
as the robots don't differentiate or discriminate against others due to the reasons we did, and don't have
crime because they have advanced past the needs that create the reasons for said crime. The idea here
is that if humanity doesn’t start working together and ignoring/accepting the differences in each other
then we are a species with an expiration date to be succeeded by our legacy.
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Science fiction can represent many different things to people. It can be ideas that inspire them
and act as an ideal to strive for or inversely can portray the darker sides of humanity and act as a
warning tale about the pitfalls of excess pride or careless innovation. Science fiction is an important
genre of media that has had a beneficial impact on society for a long time and will continue to inspire
people for as long as the human spirit continues grasping for the stars.
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Anderson, Paul. The Chapter Ends. Duke Classics, 2014.
Asimov, Isaac. Robot Dreams: Masterworks of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Ace Books, 1990.
Smith, Tracy K. "Sci-Fi" from Life on Mars. Graywolf Press, 2011.
Anderson, Jon. The Robots, the City of Paradise. No Publisher, 1969.
Spielberg, Steven, director. Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures Amblin Entertainment, 1993.
Moderator, The. “How Does Science Fiction Influence the Real World?” ESL Debates, 1 Oct.
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Aug. 2017, http://www.thestargarden.co.uk/Why-society-needs-science-fiction.html.
Mission.org. “A Look into The Future: The Value of Science Fiction.” Mission.Org, 12 Apr.
2019, https://medium.com/the-mission/a-look-into-the-future-the-value-of-science-fiction3ac1519de7d9. Accessed 25 Apr. 2023.
Longhi, Lorraine. “Science Fiction: Shaping the Future.” Link, 3 June 2014,
https://research.asu.edu/science-fiction-shaping-future.
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