STEM 280 AMU Science AI From Science Fiction to Reality Essay

1. Choose a famous science fiction author: discuss biography, education and formal training (scientific or otherwise), notable political opinions, and any relevant predictions or scenarios in the author’s fictional writings.

2. Choose to research a particular technology with roots or inspiration in science fiction. In this case, you will need to discuss the technical details, predicted and what ultimately went to market, and how the technology was envisioned in science fiction compared to how it is used and impacts society today.

6/14/23, 8:57 AM
When Science Fiction becomes Fact.
When Science Fiction becomes Fact.
Welcome to Week 2 of the course. Hopefully your time in Week 1 has helped you see that science
fiction is more than a simple genre of ‘fun’. It offers a very real chance to examine our world
differently, to think outside preconceived ‘boxes’ (how did you do on that line challenge by the
way?), and ultimately ask the question of ‘what if’. As we proceed through the course, we will
spend time examining specific scenarios of ‘what if’, but before we go there, let us spend a bit of
time discussing the interconnection of science FICTION and science FACT.
Overall in this week’s lesson, the focus will be on the role science fiction plays today. Is it an
opportunity simply to escape from the realities of our daily life? Or is it an opportunity to consider
larger questions with a ready-made “solution”? If you could conceive of any technology or
scientific advancement to make life easier, what would it be? If you are an inspiring STEM
professional, how far outside of reality is that conception? Could you make that the focus of your
work? If you are not a STEM professional, could you partner with or support those striving for that
advance? Once a “solution” exists, does it do anything other than fill a niche? How often do we
stop to consider the full possibilities of a future? It is doubtful that anyone involved in the
development of the portable phone stopped to consider how it would change our world, as both a
device for connectivity as well as a device for societal change. Before we can begin those
discussions, it is important to understand the interplay between science fiction and real advances.
Read on…
Whenever we think of “predictions” from science fiction, it is easy to latch on to those that have
not occurred. Raise your virtual hand if you are still waiting on your flying car a la The Jetsons to
arrive. Granted that show is set in 2062, so perhaps there is still time. However, the show also
illustrated flat screen video chats and in-home treadmills, two products inconceivable during the
1960s when the cartoon first aired (O’Reilly, 2014).
Stop for a moment and consider common ‘modern’ conveniences. How many do you think were
mentioned or conceptualized in a work of science fiction? Write down some initial ideas: during
this week’s reading and research, you will have a chance to verify yourself.
The key question to consider though is the actual relationship between science fiction and
advances in science, technology and society. Does science fiction simply predict trends and
developments? You will certainly see some of this relationship, that of prognostication, in this
week’s reading and discussion. Equally though, in this week you will examine cases in which
science fiction has influenced a piece of technology. Above the cell phone was mentioned.
Specifically consider the clamshell phone. While few cell phones still utilize that form factor,
Motorola did name the first flip phone “StarTac” in a direct effort to capitalize on public familiarity
with the communicators of Star Trek, and in honor of some inspirational seeds planted in the mind
of Dr. Martin Cooper (Foreman, 2016).
https://myclassroom.apus.edu/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/108087?url=https%3A%2F%2Ff54cbe36-23a9-4505-85fe-e251f80ec34d.sequences.…
1/2
6/14/23, 8:57 AM
When Science Fiction becomes Fact.
Image from By Mk2010 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?
curid=16226661
References
Foreman, R. (2016, September 12). 50 Years of Star Trek: Highlights of Some Predictions
and Inspirations. Retrieved from StartupSAC: https://startupsac.com/50-years-of-star-trekhighlights-of-some-predictions-and-inspirations/
O’Reilly, T. (2014, May 24). 21st Century Brands. Under the Influence. CBC Radio One.
Retrieved from
https://web.archive.org/web/20140608190711/http://www.cbc.ca/undertheinfluence/season3/2014/05/24/21st-century-brands-1/
https://myclassroom.apus.edu/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/108087?url=https%3A%2F%2Ff54cbe36-23a9-4505-85fe-e251f80ec34d.sequences.…
2/2