Title: The Role of Science Fiction
Course: Science Fiction: Dune > Section: Course Intro

Science Fiction plays an important role in literature. It gives us permission to consider the possibilities without the limitations of what is currently possible. It allows us to analyze and criticize elements of our culture or society without naming names, religious affiliations, countries or political parties. It allows us to have honest conversations surrounding something that is made up. The best Science Fiction draws upon real world details and trends.

Science Fiction writers of yesterday and today are the inspiration for tomorrow's scientists. Much of what we rely upon in our current reality was first only dreamed of by authors writing decades ago. Grandmaster of Science Fiction, Isaac Asimov in an interview with Bill Moyers in 1988 predicted the internet in it's current form and how we would use it for educational purposes (his thoughts about how we'd use it sound very much like Wikipedia); communicators in the past very much resemble our cell phones today; tablet devices; motion sensors that read our intentions; artificial intelligence; reanimating dead tissue; eugenics and newer prosthetic devices were all first dreamt up in the Science Fiction stories of the past. This list only scratches the surface of what is possible.

For as much as Science Fiction might tell us about the future, it also informs us about the present. Many (if not all) stories reflect the times in which they are written and have to be studied partly in the context of their times. Many of the stories warn of the dangers of war, turning our thinking over to machines, lack of education, and large economic gaps between the haves and the have-nots. We can look to these warnings to see the results of current social problems should they be allowed to continue.

So, there's all that and one of the main reasons to read Science Fiction...It's fun!