Science Fiction​—Its Rise to Popularity

THE year 1982 saw a first for the American movie industry. During the 1982/83 season, the most popular film “performer” was not a person at all. According to The Illustrated History of the Cinema, it was ET, the grotesque but somehow cute character from outer space that starred in the film ET: The Extraterrestrial!

This remarkable circumstance is just one evidence of the overwhelming popularity science fiction (SF) has enjoyed in recent years. Once relegated to pulp magazines and considered the fare of loners and dreamers, science fiction has become an established part of mainstream entertainment. But what is behind its dramatic rise in popularity?

To answer this question, we must first consider the history of science fiction. From time immemorial men have told fantastic tales in order to awe, impress, or simply entertain. However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, Europe entered an era of scientific and material progress. Many began to challenge traditional ideas and authorities. In this atmosphere some began to speculate on how scientific progress would affect mankind in the future.

Exactly who invented science fiction is a matter of debate. Seventeenth-​century authors Francis Godwin and Cyrano de Bergerac wrote fictional works that involved space travel. In 1818, Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus portrayed a scientist with the ability to create life and depicted the horrific consequences.

Some writers used this kind of fiction to highlight the shortcomings of human society. So when Jonathan Swift derided 18th-​century English society, he wove his satire into a series of fictitious voyages. The result was Gulliver’s Travels, a biting allegory that has been called science fiction’s “first literary masterpiece.”

But writers Jules Verne and H. G. Wells are usually credited with putting the science-​fiction novel into its modern form. In 1865, Verne wrote From the Earth to the Moon​—one of a string of successful novels. In 1895, H. G. Wells’ popular book The Time Machine appeared.

Fiction Becomes Reality

By the early 1900’s, scientists were beginning to make some of these visionaries’ dreams come true. According to the book Die Großen (The Great Ones), German physicist Hermann Oberth spent years trying to make Jules Verne’s dream of manned spaceflight a reality. Oberth’s calculations helped lay a scientific basis for space travel. However, he was not the only scientist influenced by science fiction. Says popular science-​fiction writer Ray Bradbury: “Wernher von Braun and his colleagues in Germany and everyone in Houston and Cape Kennedy read H. G. Wells and Jules Verne when they were children. They decided that when they grew up, they would make it all come true.”

Actually, science fiction has been the springboard for innovation in many areas. Author René Oth claims there have been few “inventions or discoveries that science fiction did not predict in advance.” Submarines, robots, and manned rockets were all the staples of science fiction long before they became realities. Science-​fiction writer Frederik Pohl thus maintains that “to read science fiction is to stretch the mind.”

Of course, not all science fiction is really about science. Some of the most popular science-​fiction books and films are actually forms of what some call science fantasy. Scientific plausibility is often the hallmark of science fiction, whereas fantasy stories are limited only by the imagination of their author. Magic and sorcery may even play a role.

How accurate, though, are science fiction’s views of the future? Is all science fiction worthwhile for reading or viewing? The following articles will address these questions.

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Jules Verne’s novel “From the Earth to the Moon” did much to spark interest in space travel

A Look at Today’s Science Fiction

AUTOMOBILES, telephones, computers​—over 130 years ago, could anyone possibly have foreseen their invention? Science-​fiction (SF) writer Jules Verne did! These startling scientific insights were found in a recently discovered manuscript of a Jules Verne novel entitled Paris in the Twentieth Century. In this previously unpublished novel, Verne even described a contraption that bears an eerie resemblance to a modern fax machine!a

Even the most astute of science-​fiction writers, however, fall light-​years short of being true prophets. For example, Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth makes for fascinating reading, but scientists now know that it is not possible to make such a journey. Nor does it seem likely that the year 2001 will see manned trips to Jupiter or other planets, as some suggested earlier.

Science-​fiction writers have also failed to predict many of the startling scientific developments that have transpired. In an article appearing in The Atlantic Monthly, science-​fiction writer Thomas M. Disch admits: “Consider all SF’s failures to imagine the cybernetic [computer] age . . . , the greenhouse effect or the destruction of the ozone layer or AIDS. Consider the new geopolitical imbalance of power. Consider all these things, and then ask what SF has had to say about them. Almost not a word.”

Science Fiction​—Big Business

For fans, of course, science fiction is not hard science but entertainment. Even so, there are those who challenge its value in that respect too. Science fiction’s reputation for being trashy literature began early in this century with the publication of pulp magazines that specialized in science fiction. The first of these, the magazine Amazing Stories, went on sale in 1926. Its founder, Hugo Gernsback, is credited with coining a word that developed into the term “science fiction.” Many felt that these sensational adventure stories had little, if any, literary merit.

Science fiction began to be taken more seriously after World War II. The dramatic role science played in that war gave science new prestige. The predictions of science-​fiction writers began to seem more credible. So science-​fiction comics, magazines, and paperbacks began to proliferate. Hardbound science-​fiction books climbed the best-​seller lists. But as science fiction struggles to meet the demands of the mass market, literary quality​—and scientific accuracy—​is often sacrificed. Science-​fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein laments that “anything readable and even moderately entertaining” is now published, including “a great many poor speculative novels.” Writer Ursula K. Le Guin adds that even “second-​rate stuff” gets printed.

In spite of such criticism, science fiction has reached new heights of popularity, having received a significant boost, not by scientists, but by the motion picture industry.

Science Fiction Hits the “Big Screen”

Science-​fiction films have been around since 1902 when Georges Méliès made the film A Trip to the Moon. A later generation of young moviegoers was mesmerized by Flash Gordon. But in 1968, one year before man landed on the moon, the film 2001: A Space Odyssey received artistic recognition and was a commercial success as well. Hollywood now began allotting huge budgets for science-​fiction films.

By the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, such films as Alien, Star Wars, Blade Runner, and ET: The Extraterrestrial accounted for half of all U.S. box-​office receipts. Indeed, science fiction provided one of the biggest hit movies of all time, Jurassic Park. Along with the film came an avalanche of some 1,000 Jurassic Park products. Not surprisingly, TV also jumped on the bandwagon. The popular show Star Trek spawned a number of programs about outer space.

Many feel, though, that by catering to popular demands, some science-​fiction writers have compromised the qualities that gave science fiction a measure of value. German author Karl Michael Armer claims that ‘science fiction is now simply a popular trademark defined no longer by content but by marketing techniques.’ Others lament that the real “stars” of today’s science-​fiction films are, not persons, but special effects. One critic even says that science fiction is “abominable and abysmal in so many of its manifestations.”

For example, many so-​called science-​fiction films are not really about science or the future at all. Futuristic settings are sometimes used merely as a backdrop for graphic violence. Writer Norman Spinrad observes that in many of today’s science-​fiction stories, someone gets “shot, stabbed, vaporized, lased, clawed, devoured, or blasted.” In many films this mayhem is portrayed in horrifying detail!

Another area of concern is the supernatural element that is featured in a number of science-​fantasy books and films. While some people may see such stories as nothing more than allegorical battles between good and evil, some of these works seem to go beyond allegory and promote spiritistic practices.

The Need for Balance

Of course, the Bible does not condemn imaginative entertainment as such. In Jotham’s parable of the trees, inanimate plants are pictured as talking to one another​—even spinning plots and schemes. (Judges 9:7-15) The prophet Isaiah likewise used an imaginative device when he portrayed long-​dead national rulers as carrying on a conversation in the grave. (Isaiah 14:9-11) Even some of Jesus’ parables contained elements that could not happen literally. (Luke 16:23-31) Such imaginative devices served not merely to entertain but to instruct and teach.

Some writers today may legitimately use a futuristic setting in order to instruct or entertain. Readers who are conscientious Christians keep in mind, though, that the Bible exhorts us to focus attention on things that are pure and wholesome. (Philippians 4:8) It also reminds us: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Some science-​fiction films and books serve as a platform for ideas and philosophies that are irreconcilable with the Bible, such as evolution, human immortality, and reincarnation. The Bible warns us not to become prey to “philosophy and empty deception.” (Colossians 2:8) So caution is in order when it comes to science fiction, as it is with all forms of entertainment. We should be selective about what we read or view.​—Ephesians 5:10.

As mentioned earlier, many popular films are violent. Would our consuming a diet of gratuitous bloodshed be pleasing to Jehovah, of whom it is said: “Anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates”? (Psalm 11:5) And since spiritism is condemned in Scripture, Christians would want to exercise good judgment when it comes to books or films that feature such elements as magic or sorcery. (Deuteronomy 18:10) Realize too that whereas an adult may separate fantasy from reality with little difficulty, not all children can. Again, parents will therefore want to be observant as to how their children are affected by what they read and see.b

Some may decide that they prefer other forms of reading and entertainment. But there is no need for such ones to be judgmental of others in this regard or to make issues over matters of personal choice.​—Romans 14:4.

On the other hand, Christians who choose to enjoy various forms of fiction as an occasional diversion do well to remember Solomon’s warning: “To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12) Many in today’s world have clearly gone overboard in their devotion to science-​fiction books and movies. Science-​fiction clubs and conventions have proliferated. According to Time magazine, Star Trek fans on five continents have devoted themselves to learning the fictitious language Klingon, which was featured in Star Trek TV shows and movies. Such extreme behavior does not harmonize with the Bible’s counsel at 1 Peter 1:13: “Keep your senses completely [“keep balanced,” footnote].”

Even at its best, science fiction cannot satisfy man’s curiosity about what the future holds. Those who really want to know the future must turn to a source that is certain. We will discuss this in our next article.

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Parents should supervise their children’s entertainment

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Christians must be selective when it comes to science fiction

What the Future Really Holds

MANY science-​fiction enthusiasts have an inquiring mind, a desire for change in human society, and a great interest in the future. The Bible has much to say about the future, but the Bible’s view of man’s fate bears little, if any, resemblance to the speculations of science-​fiction writers.

Science fiction offers many, many different versions of what the future may be like. But would you stake your life on any one of these? On what would you base your choice? These scenarios, or projected courses of events, cannot all be true. In fact, since all of them involve conjecture​—fiction—​can you confidently say that even one of them is the truth? It is far more likely that none of them are.

Coming to Nothing

Already, many science-​fiction scenarios are coming to nothing. In what way? In that those that deal with how science could lead the way to a better civilization here on earth have not come to pass. Far from an improved civilization, the reality of today is the opposite. German writer Karl Michael Armer notes: “The future has overwhelmed us.” He points to “global threats of atomic death, environmental disasters, hunger, poverty, energy crises, [and] state-​sponsored terrorism.”

In other words, the future for the earth and for the human family described in many science-​fiction stories is not moving toward realization. To the contrary, as conditions deteriorate on the earth, the human situation is going in the opposite direction. In spite of any scientific or technical advancements, throughout the world human society experiences more and more crime, violence, poverty, ethnic hatreds, and family breakdown.

Some scientific endeavors have added greatly to man’s ills. Consider just a few examples: the chemical pollution of our air, water, and food; the disaster at Bhopal in India, where an accident in an industrial plant released poison gas, causing the death of 2,000 people and injury to some 200,000; the meltdown of the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in Ukraine, resulting in many deaths and increases in cancer and other health problems over a wide area.

Colonizing Outer Space?

A large number of science-​fiction stories about the future offer escape from life’s miseries and the failures of human schemes on earth in yet another way. They transfer the enthusiast to imaginary scenarios in outer space. Humans using intergalactic spaceships to colonize other planets and other parts of the universe are common themes. Such induce many to feel as did the person who wrote to the editor of a New York newspaper: “Mankind’s future lies in space exploration.”

True, space exploration continues with the flight of space shuttles near the earth and the launching of instruments to probe space. But what about living in outer space? Although there is talk of extended spaceflight by humans, there are at present no definite working plans to colonize the moon or any of the nearby planets​—much less the other galaxies. Really, the colonizing of outer space by human efforts is not a realistic option in the near future. And current space programs of various nations cost so much that they are being scaled back or abandoned.

The reality is that mankind’s future, your future, is not in any space adventures promoted by humans. Your future is right here on earth. And that future will not be determined by scientists, human governments, or script writers. Why can we be so certain?

Because the future will be determined by the Creator of the earth, Jehovah God. And no science-​fiction scenario can emulate the promises held out in the Bible. In that book​—God’s inspired Word, which he has communicated to mankind—​he tells us what the future will be for humans. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21) What does it say?

The Future of the Human Family

The Word of God clearly spells out the Creator’s purpose to perform a complete overhaul of human society by means of a new government in the hands of Jesus Christ. In the Bible that heavenly government is called the Kingdom of God.​—Matthew 6:9, 10.

Regarding that Kingdom the inspired prophecy of Daniel 2:44 declares: “In the days of those kings [existing today] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these [present-​day] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”

Under the inspiration of God’s powerful active force, the apostle Peter also wrote concerning future life on earth under God’s Kingdom. He said: “There are new heavens [God’s heavenly Kingdom] and a new earth [a new human society under that Kingdom] that we are awaiting according to [God’s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”​—2 Peter 3:13.

What will life be like for those who are privileged to live on earth under the rule of God’s heavenly Kingdom? The Creator’s promise is: “‘[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.’ And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also, he says: ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’”​—Revelation 21:4, 5.

The kind of future that the Creator promises is a marvelous one. It is completely different from any fictitious scenarios by science-​fiction writers or scientists, scenarios so often characterized by weird, fantastic beings and surroundings. True Christians put faith in God’s sure promises for the future. Indeed, they do more. They stake their life on them.

Why can they do so with such confidence? Because they know from God’s Word that this “hope does not lead to disappointment,” since ‘God cannot lie.’ In fact, “it is impossible for God to lie.” (Romans 5:5; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) As Joshua, a servant of God, stated long ago: “Not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed.”​—Joshua 23:14.

Much of science fiction reflects the ideologies of this wicked old system. How so? Science fiction got off the ground in a period of so-​called enlightenment, when many persons rejected traditional authority and believed that man could work out his own future. They rightly blamed worldly religion for much of society’s trouble, but then they threw out the truth about God’s existence and purpose as well. They were disappointed with the way things were working out and so sought other ideas.

However, human ideas, no matter how well thought out, are limited in scope. Our Creator says: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”​—Isaiah 55:9.

True Scientific Discovery

In God’s new world, mankind’s natural thirst for knowledge will be quenched in part by genuine scientific inquiry. There will be no need to invent scenarios, for the reality will captivate and educate the mind in a wholesome, truthful way.

Many will then understand how the renowned scientist Isaac Newton felt when he likened himself to “a boy playing on the sea-​shore, . . . whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before [him].” Doubtless, in God’s new world, He will direct faithful humans to one stimulating discovery after another.

Yes, scientific research will then be based entirely on truth, since Jehovah is “the God of truth.” He invites us to learn from man’s earthly environment and also the animal world. (Psalm 31:5; Job 12:7-9) Honest scientific endeavor guided by the God of truth will surely be a fascinating feature of God’s new system. Then credit for all inventions, discoveries, and wonderful improvements in man’s life and living standards will be awarded, not to any human, but to the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God.

In that fast-​approaching new world, all obedient humans will glorify God for his loving care and guidance. They will serve him with great rejoicing and will say to him, as described at Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.”

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Mankind’s future is on the earth