Modifiable Futures: Science Fiction at the Bench

Abstract

Science fiction remains an alien dimension of the history of science. Historical and literary studies of science have become increasingly attentive to various "literary technologies" in scientific practice, the metaphorical features of scientific discourse, and the impact of popular science writing on the social development of scientific knowledge. But the function of science fiction and even literature as such in the history of scientific and technological innovation has often been obscured, misconstrued, or repudiated owing to conventional notions of authorship, influence, and the organic unity of texts. The better to address those close encounters where scientific practice makes use of speculative fiction, this essay proposes that we instead analyze such exchanges as processes of appropriation, remixing, and modification.

Visions of human futures in space and SETI

“…6 Many foundational ideas in SETI and popular visions of humanity's futures in space come from scientists and engineers who also wrote hard science fiction, including Isaac Asimov 7 , Arthur C. Clarke 8 and Carl Sagan 9 . Science fiction also informs science, inspiring scientists, shaping the history of science (Milburn, 2010), and playing a role in perceptions of science and the possible futures of humanity for both the public and practitioners (Lambourne et al, 1990).…”

“…Science fiction also informs science, inspiring scientists, shaping the history of science (Milburn 2010) and playing a role in perceptions of science and the possible futures of humanity for both the public and practitioners (Lambourne et al 1990) 10 . Since scientists, engineers, astronauts and others involved in space projects were members of the lay public before their training, their ideas and attitudes are shaped by cultural products like science fiction, especially those who were or are fans of the genre.…”

“…Historian of science Colin Milburn makes a compelling argument that science fiction can function as a ‘repository of modifiable futures’ in science (Milburn 2010). Some science fiction thus provides opportunities for fruitful speculation about extraterrestrial intelligence beyond classic anthropocentric assumptions and helps us to think about alternative possible futures (Collins 2008; Oman-Reagan 2015b).…”

“…6 Many foundational ideas in SETI and popular visions of humanity's futures in space come from scientists and engineers who also wrote hard science fiction, including Isaac Asimov 7 , Arthur C. Clarke 8 and Carl Sagan 9 . Science fiction also informs science, inspiring scientists, shaping the history of science (Milburn, 2010), and playing a role in perceptions of science and the possible futures of humanity for both the public and practitioners (Lambourne et al, 1990).10 Since scientists, engineers, astronauts, and others involved in space projects were members of the lay public before their training, their ideas and attitudes are shaped by cultural products like science fiction, especially those who were or are fans of the genre. For example Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space, was inspired to become an astronaut by actor Nichelle Nichols' portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on the bridge of the U.S.S.…”

Knowledge and foretelling: On imagining future

“…Istina je takođe da je, dok čovek još nije hodao mesecom, posada Enterprajza putovala galaksijom brže od brzine svetlosti i šetala drugim svetovima. Možda dakle nije sasvim neosnovana ona gotovo bezrezervno prihvaćena legenda da su Zvezdane staze "inspirisale" mnoge savremene tehničke izume, s tim što labavije treba shvatiti "inspiraciju" a strožije raspon aktuelnih uređaja koji se toj inspiraciji pripisuje: od mobilnih telefona i magnetne rezonance do iPoda, "tablet" računara i ličnih digitalnih asistenata (za pohvalu naučnofantastičnih najava tehnonaučnih izuma i prožimanje nauke i fantastike videti: Bly 2005; Brake and Hook 2008;Disch 1998;Milburn 2010).…”