Why our world needs science fiction: Etienne Augé at TEDxErasmusUniversity

Summary

The speaker passionately advocates for the significance of science fiction, emphasizing its role in not just predicting the future, but in preventing and inventing it. They highlight the genre's power to inspire innovation, as seen in the development of robots and smart devices, and its profitability in the entertainment industry. The talk also touches on science fiction's influence on political strategies, exemplified by the 'Star Wars' film's impact on the Cold War. The speaker concludes with a call for the Netherlands to embrace science fiction to innovate and lead in the future.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Science fiction is not about predicting the future but about preventing and inventing it by exploring potential dangers and opportunities.
• 📚 The central question in science fiction is 'What if?', which encourages imaginative thinking about possibilities and consequences.
• 🏰 Science fiction originated at the end of the 19th century, influenced by the technological optimism and colonial ambitions of the British and French empires.
• 🤖 The concept of robots and the three laws of robotics were introduced by Czech writer Karel Čapek and later expanded by Isaac Asimov, impacting real-world robotics research.
• 📱 Innovations like tablets and smartphones were first imagined in science fiction and later became reality, demonstrating the genre's influence on technology.
• 🎬 Science fiction is highly profitable, with many of the most successful movies in Hollywood being of the genre, contributing significantly to the entertainment industry.
• 🌐 The United States currently leads in science fiction production, reflecting its cultural and economic influence on global imagination and innovation.
• 🚀 Science fiction can be a tool for soft power, as seen with the influence of 'Star Wars' on the Strategic Defense Initiative during the Cold War.
• 🏙️ The Netherlands, despite its strong performance in higher education, has a limited presence in science fiction, which could be a missed opportunity for future innovation.
• 🌐 The speaker proposes that the Dutch government should encourage science fiction initiatives to foster innovation and help shape the country's future.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's talk on science fiction?

The main theme of the speaker's talk is the significance of science fiction in inspiring and shaping the future, its role in innovation, profitability, and smart power.

Why does the speaker believe that science fiction is not about predicting the future?

The speaker believes that science fiction is not about predicting the future because the future does not exist in a fixed form. Instead, science fiction is used to prevent and invent the future by imagining potential dangers and creating solutions to avoid them.

What is the central question in science fiction according to the speaker?

The central question in science fiction, according to the speaker, is 'What if?', which is a simple yet complex question that drives the exploration of possibilities and scenarios.

Who are the two important figures mentioned in the history of science fiction, and what are their contributions?

The two important figures mentioned are H.G. Wells, a British writer who contributed significantly to the genre, and Jules Verne, a French writer known for his pioneering science fiction works. Both are considered to have 'invented' science fiction at the end of the 19th century.

Why does the speaker say that the emergence of science fiction in France and Britain was not a coincidence?

The speaker suggests that the emergence of science fiction in France and Britain was not a coincidence because these two nations were leading empires at the time, with a strong belief in the potential of technology and science to shape the future.

How does the speaker link the popularity of science fiction to the rise and fall of empires?

The speaker links the popularity of science fiction to the rise and fall of empires by noting that science fiction flourished in the USSR and the USA after World War II, and that the genre's prominence often coincides with a nation's influence and power in shaping the future.

What is the significance of the speaker mentioning that Nazi Germany did not produce any science fiction movies?

The speaker mentions that Nazi Germany did not produce any science fiction movies to highlight the genre's association with innovation, imagination, and a forward-looking perspective, which was lacking in the regime's ideology.

Why does the speaker argue that science fiction is important for a society?

The speaker argues that science fiction is important for a society because it has the power to innovate, inspire, and shape the future through the imagination of its audience, and it can be a profitable and influential genre.

What are some examples of innovations inspired by science fiction mentioned in the talk?

Some examples of innovations inspired by science fiction mentioned in the talk include the concept of robots, the idea of a tablet computer as seen in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', and the early depiction of smartphones in 'Star Trek'.

How does the speaker use the term 'smart power' in relation to science fiction?

The speaker uses the term 'smart power' to describe the strategic use of science fiction in governance and policy, exemplified by the influence of 'Star Wars' on the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) during the Reagan administration.

What is the speaker's proposal for the Dutch government regarding science fiction?

The speaker proposes that the Dutch government should initiate science fiction initiatives to encourage the study, writing, and development of science fiction, aiming to position the Netherlands as a leader in the genre and to help shape the future.