Okay, so because I am a major nerd (imagine that), I love Science Friday on NPR. Hubby and I listen to that weekly, along with Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me. (This probably says a lot about us, huh? But don't knock it unless you've checked out some of the podcasts!) Anyhow, the show was talking about some of the best science films from the past year, from the standpoint of the judges in this category at the Sundance Film Festival. They got into this discussion about the sci-fi genre, too, and made some points that really peaked my interest:
Sci-fi often portrays a situation where new tech, aliens, or some other major event in the future changes the world for the worse.
Think about it: a virus is created and gets accidentally released, killing off a ton of people. Aliens arrive, and either kill off all humans or we kill off them, with loads of destruction. We figure out how to change our genomes, but the world is thrown into chaos. Through technological innovation we have tons of progress, but we destroy our planet. Kind of get the idea? A lot of time, sci-fi deals with things getting worse. And I don't just mean the story arc of troubles happening, but in general, the future (or time period that's portrayed) isn't exactly appealing.
What do you all think about this? Can you think of any stories that don't show this kind of pattern?
The program mentioned one recent film that bucks this trend--HER, that released a month or so ago. I saw the film and found it fascinating. I won't go into any spoilers, but the creation of AI computers (which I REALLY would love) leads to a guy falling in love with his operating system. While there is definitely conflict in the film, the world is definitely far from seriously troubled or falling apart. And I found that totally refreshing.
I don't want to get into this too much, but there's a problem with using the sci-fi genre (which is getting really popular right now) to show a world that is spiraling down the tubes. Because, well, it gives science a bad rap. And that really gets under my skin. Not that I want to use film/books/media to always show the good sides of science, but I think a better mix would be really beneficial. The scientists of tomorrow, the ones who will help us cure cancer, help us travel into space, help us fix the environment, need positive influences. We're not all scientists looking to take over world after all :)Anyhow, this definitely got me thinking, and also has be thinking about some of the more scientific based plots I've had lurking around in my mind that it may be time for me to tackle. Because I want sci-fi to be showing just how awesome science really is :)
Thoughts? Have you ever thought about this kind of thing?
Wow, long post today.... :)
I always thought they were two separate genres. I thought of SF more like space related stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally see what you mean, but the two actually overlap a lot. Think about a large chunk of the dystopians out there--they're in a broken world due to climate change (science) or nuclear fallout (science), or so other real reason that isn't magical--which puts them more on the sci-fi side of things. Still, what I was getting at was more of the traditional sci-fi genre, which includes space opera, but also many of the titles coming out today that deal with genetic modification (think GATTACA in book form--there's lots on the shelves right now)--these are all showing science in a less than positive light. Which can be okay, but just seems to be overdone imho... Okay, this is officially a huge reply, but I think I just have a lot to say about the topic :)
DeleteI guess I wouldn't have thought of them as being the same thing, but I see your point. I hadn't thought of it that way before.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought of them as being so similar until I listened to the radio program, and then I started going "wait, it's everywhere!!" and now I can't avoid it. Maybe this post is about trying to get everyone else to see it too, lol! :)
DeleteFirst off, I gotta say what a creative post! Loved it! And yes, I think the dystopian theme has been overdone of late. I honestly think the future might actually be better thanks to advances in science. And I can definitely see the operating system from HER happening within the next 15 years. It's not that far fetched.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Google is currently purchasing a lot of the companies working on AI--it's coming, and much more quickly than we think!
DeleteExcellent post! I love science and I think you brought up a lot of things for me to think about! There is so much good about science, but often we see the dangers. I will have to think about some positives in sci-fi books as I am sure there are examples, but I can't think of any right now... Hmmm! I will be back. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely let me know if you think of any! I'll be excited to check them out :)
DeleteI Loved the film HER. And I think that my futuristic thrillers are more on the order of post-dystopian healing and regeneration. Of course, that time can be perilous too. But it's more optimistic than straight-on dystopia or plague-ridden futures. Yes, sci-fi was always known for its tech gadgetry, but as more women have gotten into the field it's exploded out in kinds of cool ways.
ReplyDeleteThere has been lots of new and interesting ways it's been taken lately, but I wondering if there's room for more positive ways that it could be taken? Just wondering, mostly :)
DeleteWell, the whole Star Trek world is essentially founded on a more optimistic view of the future...
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one!
DeleteFellow NPR nerd here! I think a lot of this has to do with how big a trend dystopian is right now, from books to movies and even music. It seems like it's all about the fall of the world as we know it and surviving. I think with the struggling economy and generally unease being felt in many parts of the world this is the type of sci-fi that seems to be resonating with people right now. I do hope we see a resurgence of more hopeful sci-fi. And I'm having trouble thinking of any recent works that portray science in a more favorable light...because science rocks! Hmmm...maybe we both need to write the kind of books we're looking for. :)
ReplyDeleteLet's DO IT! I swear, we totally should. Cheering team sign ups starting now :)
DeleteGreat post! So you wouldn't be opposed to a Bill Nye the Science Guy movie would you? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love the sci-fi genre, and no it doesn't have to be all dystopian. My son started watching Doctor Who with me recently. I tend to forget it was, and is a kids show. Sometimes with monsters, and sometimes we are the monsters, or the monster only reflect what we truly are.
Many of the Doctor Who shows definitely show a much more optimistic view of science and the future. A few not, but many do. I do love that show!!
DeleteI'd never thought about most sci-fi leaning toward dystopia, but you're right, Meradeth! I think Katie has a point--older sci-fi was more hopeful, and the newer stuff is mostly following the dystopian trends. Well, dystopians are supposedly "on their way out" now, so all those bad futures had to go somewhere. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping for new, more optimistic sci-fi's! :)
DeleteI always saw a big difference in the two. Only sometimes did I think they overlapped because of the story.
ReplyDeleteThey don't always overlap, but there seems to be a lot of times that they do--that's all I'm saying :)
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