Science Fiction Essay

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Science fiction is a genre, which depicts what life would be like in a world with major scientific and technological developments. When it comes to science fiction, the exploration of future technology is a major element. Many stories and films focus on space, robots, aliens, a mad scientist, and/or artificial intelligence. “The universal themes found in science fiction—themes of freedom and responsibility, power, love, individuality and community, good versus evil, technology run amok, and more—present ample opportunity to explore complex issues and compelling controversies at length and in depth in ways that not only engage the intellect, but involve the emotions and expand the imagination.” The story “Flowers for Algernon,” by Daniel Keyes, is an example of science fiction that examines the impact of artificial intelligence. “The End of the Whole Mess,” by Steven King, is an example of science fiction that focuses on the fall of a mad scientist. The film “Gravity” is an example of a science fiction movie that explores the use of major technological advancement within space. In this paper I will assess the major themes portrayed in “Flowers for Algernon,“ “The End of the Whole Mess,” and the film, “Gravity.” Additionally, I will examine how these models of science fiction teach a major lesson about the imperfections of future scientific and technological advancements on society.
“Flowers for Algernon,” by Daniel Keyes, is an epistolary story that focuses on the use of artificial intelligence. Themes presented in this work include love, individuality and community, and power. The protagonist, Charlie Gordon, is a mentally retarded man who attends night school at a college for retarded adults. Charlie is the subject of the scie...

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...ese improvements may actually cause destruction. The moral of these science fiction models is that there is no such thing as perfect. Without the application of science in the film and the two stories, the same message may not have been portrayed. “Flowers for Algernon” shows how the idea of artificial intelligence may seem perfect to an overzealous scientist, but is actually a fatal mistake. “The End of the Whole Mess” demonstrates how a mad scientist may think he knows how to create a peaceful society, but is terribly misguided when he ends up with mental problems. “Gravity” displays a technologically advanced spacecraft, which ends up being of no use when astronauts need it the most. These three models of science fiction all teach a lesson about the inadequacies of future science and technological advancements and the harmful results they can cause to society.

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