Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today – but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.
Isaac Asimov
Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial
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No ego problems there. Of course, IA was the same guy who predicted the oil would run out by 2000.
He never lacked for ego.
But in this instance, he is exactly right.
SF, as the literature of ideas is the literature of STEMers. And if we are to survive global warming, demographic disruption, wars and the chaos to come, it will be through STEMers solving problems. Kids who cut their teeth on Asimov tales of Robots and Susan Calvin grew up to build real robots and code AI’s. And he was far from unique. GEO synchronous orbits are properly named Clarke Orbits and remore manipulators are called Waldoes for good reason.
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/waldoes
Do not underestimate the influence of the writers of his generation on the real world.
Very, very true. Elon Musk is a poster child for the effect.
This is why I’m in sympathy with everyone railing against “woke fiction.” That stuff doesn’t inspire. It turns people off of books, movies, tv shows, video games, whatever.
Nancy Drew inspired, Montgomery Scott inspired, John Carter inspired living people to do great things. I still remember the article where Nancy Drew was cited by kidnapping victims, because she stayed calm and was resourceful in captivity, the survivors also believed it was possible for them to escape. Mike Okuda who designed the props on Star Trek: The Next Generation said the iPad is what he was going for when he made the PADD the characters were always using.
How many people grew up watching Penny use her watch to make phone calls on “Inspector Gadget”? I’m confident that’s why we have those Apple watches and whatnot now.
Still annoyed we don’t have hoverboards and flying cars though. But at least one person is trying to get us to Mars, so there’s that.
Flying motorcycle is now a comercial product: JETSON ONE from sweden.
The flying car (and it “is* a car, not a roadable plane or helicopter) is on the way:
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/alef-debuts-model-a-flying-car-and-hopes-to-sell-it-starting-in-2025/
Patience. The 21st century is young; it barely came of age last year. 😉
About the OP it is worth remembering when Asimov said it. He most definitely didn’t have recent HUGO winners in mind.
Patience. The 21st century is young; it barely came of age last year.
Ha!
Jetson One reminds me of “Little Nellie” which James Bond flew in his scout mission in “You Only Live Twice.” Only much more sleek and much less deadly 🙂
Underscoring again how sci-fi (or sci-fi adjacent) stories today can inspire cool tech tomorrow.
Um, I think we should also give some credit to Chester Gould – creator of “Dick Tracy.”
Although, considering that was in 1931, perhaps credit at one remove.
Gould was still the first citation the last time I saw wrist phones deemed discussion. Pretty soon they’ll be mundane stuff compared to the newer toys.
Like, say this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suHOLFhbwsM
I forgot all about Dick Tracy. I vaguely remember him from the funnies section of the Sunday comics. And that a movie was made of him with Madonna in it. But yes, I think he must get credit for wrist phones. Undoubtedly, he inspired the Inspector Gadget creator.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Tom Swift (Sr) inspired them both.
FWIW:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tom_Swift_books
Follow the money. I doubt it will follow woke fiction.
Yeah, but do robots have gender?