“Dinosaurs and man, two species separated by 65 million years of evolution, have just been suddenly thrown back into the mix together. How can we possibly have the slightest idea what to expect?”
It is arguably the most riveting line in the history of motion pictures, a perfect blend of science and fiction. The first time I entered the fascinating kingdom of Jurassic Park (1), I was a wide-eyed six-year-old, spellbound by the presence of lifelike dinosaurs on the TV. On my next watch a few years later, I was aware dinosaurs were extinct species and could never return. That’s when I learned a jaw-dropping scientific lesson—the astonishing bond between prehistoric behemoths and minuscule mosquitoes, interwoven by a shared genetic heritage. With each subsequent viewing of Jurassic Park, I edged closer and closer to various scientific disciplines: paleontology, the alchemy of cloning, genome designing, and genetic engineering. Yet, the best learning experience was when I watched the movie as an adult. There was a captivating lunch table scene where the scientists discuss the ethics of cloning. “Genetic power is the most awesome force the planet’s ever seen, but you wield it like a kid that’s found his dad’s gun,” Dr. Ian Malcolm had famously said. To this day, I think about the statement when I wonder about the ethics of scientific development.
That’s the sheer potency of one science fiction piece. Jurassic Park alone ignited an inferno of scientific curiosity within me. While it didn’t give me a formal education, it propelled me to learn and investigate different branches of science long before they graced the hallowed pages of my school textbooks. 25 years later, the realm of science fiction, whether manifested through movies, television series, or books, remains a relentless catalyst for scientific exploration. Enough to turn the business student in me into a science fiction author. Through this experience, I have come to understand how science fiction can reel people into the world of science.
BY NURTURING SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
One of the fundamental roles of science fiction is to ignite scientific curiosity within its audience. By weaving captivating narratives set in distant galaxies or futuristic worlds, science fiction writers present the audience with imaginative visions of scientific advancements and the potential consequences of such progress. These narratives often explore intriguing concepts such as time travel, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and space exploration, sparking questions in the minds of the audience. The very act of pondering about these concepts compels individuals to seek answers beyond the boundaries of fiction.
One notable example is 2001: A Space Odyssey (3), which prompted discussions about artificial intelligence, space exploration, and the evolution of humanity. Blade Runner (4) compelled people to think about the implication of advanced robotics, while The Martian (5) generated interest in chemistry, botany, orbital mechanics, and space engineering. All these brilliant sci-fi works propelled people into uncharted frontiers, unraveling the tapestry of diverse scientific disciplines.
BY SHAPING PEOPLE’S ACADEMIC ATTITUDE
Science fiction has not only pushed people to think more about science, but even pursue careers in related fields. A survey conducted by Lindy A. Orthia (6) stated that the popular science fiction show, Doctor Who (7), influenced the education choices of 74 participants and the career choices of 49 participants out of 575. The show sparked enough interest within its viewers to pursue scientific fields like physics, astronomy, math, engineering, computer science, environmental science, chemistry, psychology, science teaching, and science communication. “I have a degree in environmental science specifically because of watching the fourth Doctor deal with oil rigs,” one of the participants said. Through the sci-fi works mentioned above, people have learned that science is not just beakers in a lab.
BY POPULARIZING SCIENCE
By using the power of imagination, a good piece of science fiction makes science more accessible and relatable to the wider audience. You don’t have to be a scientist to enjoy the genre. Sci-fi writers have triggered grand scientific conversations among laypeople by creating engaging narratives, perhaps none more than H. G. Wells. His portrayal of an advanced Martian civilization in The War of the Worlds (8) sparked curiosity about extraterrestrial beings and spearheaded a culture where the word “alien” became a part of everyday conversation. Similarly, his book The Time Machine (9) explored the theme of human evolution through scientific lens and generated buzz around divergent evolution. In The World Set Free (10), he evoked people’s interest in nuclear technology and atomic energy and its implications on human society.
Science fiction has brought scientific conversations to the dinner table without judging the expertise of the people sitting at the table. I remember spending weeks trying to understand, and then explain, time-dilation after watching Interstellar(11).
BY CONNECTING FICTION WITH THE REAL WORLD
Science fiction serves as a bridge between the fantastical and the real, often drawing inspiration from emerging scientific discoveries and technological advancements. Authors extrapolate from existing knowledge and push the boundaries of what is currently possible, creating plausible and compelling visions of the future.
This connection to real-world science has a reciprocal effect. Scientists and researchers are also often inspired by science fiction, as it challenges them to transform fictional ideas into reality. Concepts such as virtual reality, self-driving cars, and even space exploration have been influenced by the visions of science fiction authors. Submarines were inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (12), rockets by The War of the Worlds, cell phones by Star Trek (13), and drones by Frank Herbert’s Dune (14).
This interplay between science fiction and scientific progress creates a dynamic relationship that fosters innovation, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and propels scientists towards new frontiers.
As a sci-fi author and a science enthusiast, I firmly believe in the transformative power of the genre to bring people closer to science. Without reading and watching the brilliant works of sci-fi, I might have never delved deeper into various scientific concepts and theories, especially astronomy. I would have never built worlds that pushed me to learn more about gravity, asteroids, astrodynamics, space biology, ecology, and engineering.
Science fiction serves as a potent tool in bridging the gap between the realms of imagination and scientific possibility. By captivating our imagination and stimulating our curiosity, it inspires us to explore the boundaries of scientific knowledge, igniting a passion for discovery. Through its ability to engage and popularize scientific concepts, science fiction empowers us all to embrace the wonders of science and embark on a shared journey towards a future shaped by our collective scientific understanding.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_(film)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Theory_of_Everything_(2014_film)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian
- https://jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_1804_2019_A08/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8909.The_War_of_the_Worlds
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2493.The_Time_Machine
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/718452.The_World_Set_Free
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_(film)
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33507.Twenty_Thousand_Leagues_Under_the_Sea
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44767458-dune
Cover illustration- iStock
