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\u201cToday\u2019s science fiction is tomorrow\u2019s science fact.\u201d This quote, attributed to Isaac Asimov, captures science\u2019s intricate relationship with science fiction. And it is hardly a one-way relationship. Whereas science fiction is constantly evolving to reflect new scientific discoveries and theories, science itself has a long history of drawing inspiration from the works of visionary authors, filmmakers, and popular culture. And in some cases, where scientists themselves were the visionaries (like Asimov himself), you had an instance of both!<\/p>\n
The relationship between the two was the subject of a recent study by Samuel Boissier, a researcher with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the director of research at the Laboratoire d\u2019astrophysique de Marseille (LAM). In an age when misinformation, \u201cdeepfakes,\u201d and deliberate attempts to obscure scientific truths are at an all-time high, examining the interconnection between science, art, and science fiction is very important. According to Boissier, doing so offers people in the scientific community a way to engage with the public in a way that is relatable and accessible. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The relationship between science fiction and scientific fact is well-documented and has been the subject of academic research. Recent examples (that we have written about) include how exoplanets are depicted, the lives of many professional scientists, and popular depictions of space travel. However, when a concept fails to meet the burden of proof \u2013 such as FTL travel using wormholes or the EMDrive \u2013 the typical reaction is to label it as \u201cscience fiction.\u201d Nevertheless, science fiction authors are often professional scientists themselves or represent science accurately in their stories \u2013 hence the term \u201chard SF.\u201d<\/p>\n In his paper, Boissier (himself a professional astronomer and astrophysicist) addresses how hard science fiction can be used for educational purposes, particularly in astronomy and astrophysics! What\u2019s more, examples can be found in many forms of popular media, including literature, film, and video games. As he told Universe Today via email:<\/p>\n \u201cScience Fiction is using astronomy to offer to the public blockbusters at the movies (e.g. Interstellar), series or movies in streaming media (Don\u2019t Look Up, The Expanse<\/em>), many books from classic authors (Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke) or more moderns ones (Kim Stanley Robinson), comics (the adventures of Valerian and Laureline), or video games (Mass Effect, No Man\u2019s Sky<\/em>) that have a very large cumulated audience. Astronomers can use Science Fiction to illustrate physics or astronomical facts. It might be a good way to talk about our work and our methods by comparing them to examples with which a large audience is familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Not only do the following examples contain \u201chard\u201d science, but they also explore concepts that individuals may not otherwise be familiar with. For instance, the Mass Effect<\/em> series contains one of the more well-known proposed resolutions to Fermi\u2019s Paradox, the Berserker Hypothesis (or \u201cKiller Probe Scenario\u201d). The Expanse<\/em> series (the novels and the miniseries adaptation) is renowned for featuring scientific elements that make the story compelling and realistic. Examples include realistic depictions of life on Mars, larger asteroids, and spacecraft, including the effects of low gravity (and microgravity). <\/p>\n In terms of literature, Asimov and Clarke are well-known examples of scientists who used the genre to explore speculative ideas grounded in science. Asimov\u2019s I, Robot<\/em> series explored how the development of artificial intelligence (AI) would affect our society. Interestingly enough, Asimov wrote the series to address what he felt was the tired and cliched trope of robot uprisings (\u201ckill all humans\u201d and such!). Strangely, the novel was adapted into the 2004 film starring Will Smith, which centered on the premise of a robot uprising (what bitter irony!)<\/p>\n \nInspiring SF (and Vice Versa)<\/h2>\n
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