Science Fiction as a Form of Brainwashing - Term Paper Example

Science fiction, while seeming to be about the future, is most often about the role of the individual in present day society. With the technological advancement in our world today, a lot of fantasy and imagined science advancement is a commonality. However, this fantasy has been classified into a literature genre that tries to illuminate imagination of science in future. In addition, these imaginations do not necessarily mean that they are not founded within what the possibilities of science, only that they are idealistic, that is, can only be put in literal form. Some of these science fictions have been depicted through movies, for example, the recent avatar movies are an example of man intelligence in imagination and use of technology. People have always been left with disbelief as science tries to assert the possibility of alien’s existence in the outer space far from the universe. While some of the science fictions try to explain some of the scientific discoveries, they sometimes contradict what is commonly believed to be true, though exaggeration. Although the importance of science fiction have always questioned it is important to note the background of fictional science. Some people believe that fictional science can be traced back in the history of myths and mythical stories. Fictional science critics therefore are always adamant in questioning the validity of fictional science application in the contemporary world that does not borrow much from myths. Could it be possible that fictional science is just another lie? Does fictional science really predict the future or does is it have any significance in the present? This paper therefore, seeks to know the role of fictional science in the future as well as its impacts to the present. The history of fictional science Fictional science also has a history. Roberts (, pp37), in his book science fiction, is very categorical that the history of science fiction is indefinite and there are various versions that critics use to determine the history of science fiction. From Robert’s perspectives, the history of science fiction can be dated back a hundred years ago when literature fanatics wanted to add in some fiction in their literary works. This argument agrees with the general perception tat science fiction is literature genre of fantasy. Robert (pp37) proceeds by saying that the artistic element of science fiction could also have emanated from historical and cultural phenomenon such as going to the moon and plants beyond earth. The latter explanation is an example of the intelligence experience d during the industrial revolution ages supplemented by anxieties to learn more about the field of metaphysics. The most critical approaches to determining the history of science fiction is traceable in; gothic approach to science fiction, gernsbackian approach to science fiction etc. in the gothic approach o science fiction, science w viewed as a phenomenon that drew aspects such as diversity of cultures, what is unearthly, supernatural powers, mysteries and other distant sensationalism. An example of such can be traced Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, an example of how many could create a double of himself or man able to create life through science. The Gernsbackian approach of science fiction is credited to a modern fictional science pioneer, Hugo Gernsback. The pioneer an electric engineer himself started to publish a lot of science fiction magazines that could only depicted a literal side of science fiction. His works entailed much of what technology would achieve and this idealism was hardly proven, although the advancement of radio, and television media was a part of his predictions in science fiction. From Gernsback approach of science fiction, a lot of publishers came into being most of them trying to describe a utopia state of life, governments and technology. An example o f such a writer and publisher was Isaac Asimov in his book “the foundation”. Asimov tries to predict the future, through imagined or real situation that people are living under; he conceptualizes the idea of a bad government through a character and then tries to solve the problem through a stipulated future kingdom that has already been established. Gary (1999, pp1) agrees that the historical idea behind science fiction was started by Gernsback and later by John Campbell. Although Gernsback and Campbell ideas were later improved and advanced from literal to non0literal science or what was commonly referred to as non-academic, other science fiction pioneers came up with concepts of cyber plunk science fiction. This became even more popular during the renaissance as people’s ideas became savvier to ideas such as democracy and idealism. Is science fiction about the future? Perhaps a lot of questions need be answered regarding the importance of science fiction. The emergence of science in early days was more concerned about the future, fantasizing and imagining what the future would be like, mostly from people who wanted democracy, religion freedom, political freedom and an ideal sate of governance during the period of renaissance or great awakening or what industrial revolution in western cultures. John (May 9, 2009) in one of his article sin CNN News website, sites an example of how science was initially believed to be the symbol of a great future. While John maintains that much of that future is fizzled, he recognizes the various developments that emanated from science fiction, this included; the innovation of a robot that could do normal human duties, the invention of a jet back-pack etc. however, the much fictional 21st century is finally here and predictions made in during the 20th century are yet to be achieved. It is funny that people still thought there would be no traffic jams in our cities today, or living on earth would be a safe haven. According to john the science fiction is unpredictable o the impacts it can make in future. Howard (, pp1) agrees that science fiction has intrinsic value in the future. He views how science fiction shaped the culture of both European and American cultures during the 19thcentury and this was later evident during the 20th century. Science fiction during the 19th century was conceptualized through literature and cultures only theses ideas to be recreated in form of technology advancement during the 20th century. Howard argues that a society is able to reflect future possibilities from the achievement of the present, especially if the society demand for material survival is in question. However, not all science fiction predictions can be realized in future, especially if their ethical and moral foundation contradicts the morals of the society. An example of such has been on the creation of normal human life that was predicted by Mary Shelley in her work Frankenstein. Science fiction and the role of individual in the present day society Although science fiction has been depicted to have shaped societies, the role of an individual in such is still wanting. For example, the freedom of an individual is sometimes infringed by science fiction through fictional stories that are brainwashing and oppressive (Patrick, 1980). To be precise, science fiction, addresses the present situation of humanity. Many science fiction theorists and pioneers were said to have developed their ideas in what was though to be dreams, hallucinations etc. such people thought that they would solve their problems by creating scientific models that were for the betterment of the society. A typical example of how individuals used science fiction for individual interest or society benefits can be founded from classical philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. Some individuals who are obliged to share what they feel about certain elements of a present predicament use science fiction as a means of communication. For example, there are literal science fiction have been used by political analyst in educating the masses against certain government policies. Socrates used such fiction like ‘the symposium” to highlight the problem of the ruling elite as at that time or Isaac Asimov book , foundation, depicts how colonialism came into being through the conquering of the first foundation and finally freedom through the second foundation. Therefore, science fiction is a clear indication of how to educate individuals in the present society. Science fiction has offered individuals freedom of expression in one of the modest manner without raising unnecessary tension in the society. Individuals are also expected to use science fiction for purposes such as new innovations either in the field of technology or science as a matter of developing the society. It is interesting to note that science fiction has evoked a sense of innovation in people who have talents in the present society and encouraged them to do the impossible by developing tem into reality. Individuals have become more informed and conscious of either their political, economical and social aspects. Different from traditional fictional science that relied on myths, individuals in the contemporary world are using science fiction to overcome traditional challenges like, overburdening taboos and cultural boundaries and instead replaced them with openness towards diversity of cultures and varied options instead of preconceptions. It therefore necessary for an individual to consider that although science fiction is a theoretical representation of an ideal concept, the same can be realized in the present society context, without a presumption that science fiction is based on coming future. Are not robots part of the 19t and 20th century science fiction? Yes they were and now they are a reality. Conclusion Science fiction will for a long time, attract a lot of criticism due to its failure to achieve its prediction. In fact, some will critics will continue to view it as a form of brainwashing by individuals who have lacked respect of the society’s morals and ethics. However, science fiction will continue to be pat of human and society development in present and future. For pro-science fictionist, this will be a continued form of developing human intelligence and using it for their own gain as well as for the gain of the society in economic, political and social aspects. Science fiction is here to stay. References; Gary W. 1999. The mechanics of wonder: the creation of the idea of science fiction. Liverpool: Liverpool university press Howard B. F. 1995.future perfect: American science fiction of the nineteenth century: an anthology. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press John B. 2009. Why our ‘amazing’ science fiction future fizzled. May 29, 2009 [Online] http://articles.cnn.com. Accessed on 24/01/2011. Patrick P. 1980. Science fiction: its criticism and teaching. New York: Taylor & Francis Roberts A. C. 2006. Science fiction. New York: Taylor & Francis Read More