Sci-Friday: Positively Futuristic
Science Fiction as a vehicle for curiosity, science literacy and desirable futures.
It's been some time since I last delved into Sci-Friday, and admittedly, I'm a bit behind schedule - so let's call this a special Sci-turday edition.
Today's topic ventures into a territory less traversed in science fiction: envisioning positive and hopeful futures. The allure of dystopian narratives is undeniable – they naturally lend themselves to intense conflict and drama, captivating audiences effortlessly. But this comes with a price. Such narratives have bred a generation convinced that the future is bleak and without hope. However, it's crucial to remember that the future is not set in stone. While we face significant challenges, change is always within our grasp. This change begins with how we perceive and believe in the possibilities ahead. It's time to explore and embrace the narratives that paint a future filled with hope and opportunity, challenging the prevalent dystopian paradigm.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
“The Assignment” is a short film that addresses the proliferation of gloom and doom, dystopian narratives and then takes us on a journey towards more hopeful futures through global storytelling. The project is a trailer for the Climate Action Almanac, a new collection of future facing stories and essays from ASU’s renowned Center for Science and the Imagination. “The Assignment" was produced and written by the Scirens team, Taryn O’Neill and Tamara Krinsky, a creative team at the intersection of science and storytelling.
Watch the film below and check out the commentary further down.
During the Near Future Laboratory Office Hours on January 19th, 2024, we had the delightful surprise of Taryn spontaneously offering commentary on her newly released film. This enriching experience was followed by an engaging discussion focusing on the film’s innovative use of AI how science fiction serves not just as entertainment, but as a powerful tool to spark curiosity and enhance science literacy.
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty."
– Winston Churchill
Happy Sci-Friday to this amazing group of writers, especially
who does a much better job than me at being consistent and keeping this community growing.
for what ever reason "The Jetsons" popped into my head..
Dré, well said on the dystopian stuff - it's too easy to go dark! We really need a good balance between techno-optimism that's overly rosy, and incredibly bleak stuff that doesn't get us excited about a future we can look forward to.
And, thank you for helping me start this amazing community!