Humans have an innate ability to dream and imagine, often venturing into the realm of the fictional and fantastical. Whether these visions are within reach or not, the act of imagining fictional creations has always been an enjoyable pursuit. Throughout history, people have sought to share their thoughts and ideas about these imaginary worlds and their technological wonders through literature. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of fictional technology, exploring the past predictions of old science fiction stories, the challenges of creating fictional technology in the present, and the unpredictable nature of technological progress. But first, I’d like to share one of my fondest memories.
When I was at primary school, my favourite subject was drawing. Once, to get our imaginations going, the teacher asked us to predict the future and what technological advances it might bring. I remember drawing cameras in mobile phones, trainers with cooling fans and heating pads, and automatic recycling bins. I’m proud of them, it was a fun project and I’m glad I was in school that day so I didn’t miss the opportunity.
As time goes on, it becomes increasingly difficult to predict what will come next. I believe that innovation is often in the details, building on existing technologies rather than introducing something entirely new. That’s why I have great admiration for those who have successfully predicted future advances throughout history. In my opinion, it is not easy to imagine these developments when they are so closely intertwined with our daily lives. The ability to anticipate and foresee such advances requires a deep understanding of the current landscape and a remarkable insight into how technology can evolve.
Honestly, science fiction writers have done a great job of this, even giving humanity a perspective.
The works of renowned authors such as Herbert George Wells and Jules Verne have captivated readers with their imaginative visions of the future. From Wells’ “The Time Machine” to Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon”, these literary pioneers dared to imagine technologies far beyond the reach of their time. It is fascinating to examine how some of their predictions have become reality in our lives today. The concept of time travel and space exploration, once considered mere fiction, has now become a scientific possibility. These visionary authors were able to tap into the collective imagination and push the boundaries of what was considered possible.
Let’s continue with more predictions instead of stopping here:
Herbert George Wells, (my absolute favourite author, easily in the top 5 for me) one of the most influential science fiction writers of the late 19th and early 20th century; definitely deserves a special mention when discussing authors who made accurate predictions about future technologies. As well as the well-known time machine idea in the previous example, “The Time Machine”, he depicted an alien invasion and introduced advanced extraordinary technology, including giant walking war machines known as Tripods. Machines armed with heat rays and poisonous gas. Another famous novel, “The War of the Worlds”, was published in 1898. On the other hand, in “The World Set Free”, a lesser known novel, he predicted the invention of atomic weapons and their potential for catastrophic global conflict. Invisibility, the attempt to create new species by combining the genes of different animals, the use of magical portals to go to other places… Unreal and fascinating. I will never tire of reading his works.
In Verne’s novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”, published in 1870, Verne described submarines with striking accuracy, prefiguring the development of actual underwater vessels in the 20th century. In “From the Earth to the Moon”, published in 1865, Verne outlined the idea of space travel using a massive cannon to shoot a spacecraft to the moon, foreshadowing the eventual space missions of the modern era.
On the other hand, Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, in his 1968 novel “2001: A Space Odyssey”, described tablet-like devices remarkably similar to today’s iPads and other personal electronic devices. He also accurately predicted the concept of satellite communications, which later became a reality with the launch of geostationary satellites.
Another genius, Philip Kindred Dick, explored themes of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and the nature of reality itself. His 1968 novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” was the basis for the 1982 film “Blade Runner”. The book explored what it means to be human in a world of lifelike androids, foreshadowing the ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence and robotics that we face today. And guess who made the rules about machine-like creatures, androids and robots?
Isaac Asimov coined the term robotics (the word robot is Czech) and introduced the Three Laws of Robotics in his stories, which have profoundly influenced the field of robotics and AI ethics. Asimov’s vision of a vast interconnected Galactic Encyclopaedia in the “Foundation” series parallels the concept of the Internet and today’s collective knowledge resources.
In our modern age, creating fictional technology is a significant challenge. As we stand on the precipice of the present, living and experiencing the advances of our time, it becomes increasingly difficult to predict what the future holds. Even when we make educated guesses and assumptions, they may be dismissed as nonsense by others with opposing views. But this must not deter us from the relentless pursuit of imagination. We must continue to explore and contemplate the potential technologies that may emerge, understanding that the future is elusive and fraught with uncertainty.
Time has a way of surprising us, often unfolding in unexpected ways. It is not uncommon for us to claim that we foresaw certain technologies or features, only to acknowledge their existence when they are seamlessly integrated into our lives. The evolution of technology can take unpredictable paths that diverge from our earlier predictions. Consequently, our beliefs and attitudes towards these imagined technologies may change as we experience their actual implementation in our lives. The dynamic nature of innovation requires a constant reassessment of our ideas and perspectives.
Fictional technology allows us to explore the boundless limits of our imaginations. Through literature, authors have shared their visionary concepts and predictions, inspiring generations of readers. As time goes on, we realise that what we once thought impossible can become reality, while some of our ideas evolve or are completely transformed. The creation of fictional technology continues to be a fascinating endeavour, forcing us to push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Ultimately, it is the enduring power of the imagination that drives us forward, opening doors to a future of endless possibilities, and that is exciting!
Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic. — Arthur C. Clarke
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