Diana Bang's ETEC 531 e-portfolio

According to Murphie and Potts (2003) science fiction has assumed an increasingly influential cultural position due to its ethical questioning of the social consequences of new technologies. The legacy handed down by precursors of modern science fiction includes the moral questioning and warnings of the work of scientists “playing God” or “meddling with nature.” This is evident as our society has evolved to conducting stem-cell research, genetic engineering, cloning, etc. Essentially, science fiction has played out in real-life and has provided the forum to discuss concerns raised as technological advancements flourish. It has also shaped and re-defined our societal attitudes towards science and technology. For example, several sci-fi shows and movies (X-Files, Aliens, Terminator, etc) have led us to question authority (i.e. government) rather accepting them wholeheartedly. However, the science fiction genre has also been (and continues to be) a source of inspiration and imagination of what may be in store for the future (i.e. Back to the Future, Total Recall, The Matrix, Minority Report, etc). As Murphie and Potts (2003) point out SF literature may be more likely to have a positive outlook on technology as it’s likely to be more “thoughtful, speculative, and engaged with ideas concerning technology” in contrast to cinema.