Is sci fi a reflection of current issues?

[CmdrShep2183]

I have heard Star Trek TOS reflected American optimism and that BSG reflected the era after 9/11. Is that true? Is sci fi often a refection of the time period?

The 1960s Star Trek original series reflected America's idealism. The Klingons were based on the Imperial Japanese of WW2 but also could be an allegory for the Soviets. The Federation and Klingon struggle to gain influence on other civilizations in the galaxy could be an allegory for the Cold War and American desire to explore space.

I think Babylon 5 of the 1990s was inspired by history and America's or the United Nation's role as mediator of the global community. In the first season the viewer is put into a world full of war and political struggle as well as generic monsters of the week. The very first episode starts with a sneak attack on a spacestation by starfighters.

It starts as a reflection of the 90s but as the go further the Earth Gov becomes totalitarian and the main characters lead a resistance against that government. A organization similar to the Stasi and attempted to gain influence over Babylon 5.

The new 2000s BSG reflected our insecurities after 9/11. In Afghanistan and Iraq we faced an enemy that could blend in and BSG had an antagonist that could blend in with humans. Episodes also covered topics like torture and political power struggle.

The Expanse reflects current political situations and income inequality.

 

[NCC-73515]

Episodes like Let That Be Your Last Battlefield and A Taste of Armageddon clearly were comments on racism and war in the 60s, TUC was Chernobyl and the fall of the iron curtain and the Berlin wall, ENT S3 was 9/11 and its fallout...

 

[Tosk]

Isn't all fiction a reflection of current issues in one way or another?

 

[Admiral2]

It can be. It's not required by law, but some of the best fiction reflects current society. So does some of the worst. Just being topical doesn't automatically make it good.

 

[Mage]

Isn't all fiction a reflection of current issues in one way or another?

You beat me to it. It's not a requirement ofcourse. But most good writers find inspiration in what goes around them. And since it's healthy in live to be aware of what is going on around you, most writers will reflect what's going on in society in their works in some way or another.
So, scifi doesn't NEED to reflect anything. But it often will.

 

[Kerock]

Give me a good story without reflecting current society. A new imagined world so I can escape. Kind of tough for a screen writer I think. Easier for a Novelist.

 

[fireproof78]

Isn't all fiction a reflection of current issues in one way or another?

Yup.

 

[Qonundrum]

Give me a good story without reflecting current society. A new imagined world so I can escape. Kind of tough for a screen writer I think. Easier for a Novelist.

Ask anyone under 30 who will sit down to watch something made over 30 years ago and see how they react. Especially comparing a remake to the initial iteration of said show or movie. Note how they respond to "accessible references", plot structure and nuance, and so on. Some issues (assuming any exist, a point of relation isn't synonymous with "social stuff" by default) aren't as ephemeral as others, hence the cliched phrase of "withstands the test of time" and that (thankfully) isn't always due to the issues remaining the same or getting worse (either in reality or perceived as being). Remember when sci-fi was worried about the ozone hole? As of 2019, the hole has been the smallest since it was first noticed. Of course, new sci-fi can claim it's bigger than ever all it wants... or, preferably, find a sibling issue or a metaphor for it, or something entirely different. In the end, it's still entertainment - since the original intent of television as an educational device went to the wayside decades ago, because too many experimental attempts failed...

Not to mention stuff we saw as kids we often find new ways to perceive if we rewatch it. It's why more adult-themed shows (based on plot complexity and even issues) are more likely to hold up than just any exclusively, kid-centric show.

Sources:
Ozone: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddar...s-the-smallest-on-record-since-its-discovery/
TV: https://www.tecweb.org/eddevel/telecon/de92.html

 

[Kerock]

I think your answer is a reflection of the time period.

 

[Christopher]

Science fiction and fantasy have long been used as vehicles for social commentary, criticism, allegory, and satire, often as a way of slipping it under the radar when a more overt statement would be too controversial. Both Rod Serling and Gene Roddenberry were drawn to SF/fantasy as a means to sneak political statements past the censors and sponsors who'd never approve them otherwise. But it goes back much further -- to H.G. Wells's utopian/socialist speculations and antiwar statements, to Swift's biting social satire in Gulliver's Travels, even to Plato's allegorical Atlantis.

 

[Qonundrum]

I think your answer is a reflection of the time period.

Except for, for example, issues like exploring a 2D universe while exploring why a crewmember is questioning self-ability. The 2D is a clever use of sci-fi to explore, and the human nature of self doubt never gets old and especially if there's a new spin. Of which "New Dimensions" of "The Orville" fame readily proves, on both counts. Or "Hollow Pursuits" from TNG that explores some ship technobabble that works well enough along with the character of Barclay (whose social handicap is a lot more considerable, but compelling as he's done right...) Or TOS regarding Alexander, humiliated and belittled because he didn't look and act like the other Platonians and Kirk is more than happy to save him (though there's no real side plot involving sci-fi, just a form of ESP (real life theory if not fantasy, depending on ability being mentioned?) that TOS was known for and often did well.)

 

[Shawnster]

Some great fiction (science or otherwise) offers commentary on current events of their time. Some even are relevant today.

Some great fiction also offers an escape from the current events of the time. If one feeds on the events that cause them stress continually without relief, one will suffer a wide spectrum of maladies and heartache.

We need balance. We need both critical analysis of our times and we need escape from the stresses that plague our lives.

 

[Mudd]

Anything reflects the world in which it arises.

 

[Jayson1]

I think it sometimes reflect current social issues but sometimes it also explores the past by exploring older events like WWII or the Civil War etc and sometimes it's universal truths no matter what time period your in and sometimes predictions of the future or cautionary tales.

Jason

 

[Kor]

Is science fiction a reflection of current issues? It can be. But it doesn't necessarily have to be. If it results in a clunky story that exists solely to use the trappings of a science fiction setting to bonk you on the head with something "topical," then it shouldn't have bothered in the first place.

A lot of quality science fiction is speculative in nature, addressing how human society or individuals would be affected by such-and-such a technological development or scientific discovery, without making some contrived parallel to contemporary real-world issues. I enjoy this kind of thing a lot.

Kor

 

[StarCruiser]

Asimov - Clarke - Niven - Heinlein - Herbert...and on and on...

SciFi can be about anything, or virtually nothing at all. It's all in the art of writing and the viewpoint of the reader (or viewer).

There was an article about the best World War I movies and John Huston's African Queen came up simply because of the focus on a good story and great characters well presented. No need for lots of "Baysplosions (tm)" or "ShakyCam (tm)" or "LenFlare (tm)" to compensate for poor writing, direction etc...

Only one modest explosion in the entire film set during World War I and it's still a classic.

The same approach works for any film, TV show, book or play. Focus on story and character. The core subject matter itself is surprisingly irrelevant.

 

[theenglish]

Macbeth was a reflection on the paranoia of society at the time following the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the English government. The Picture of Dorian Grey was about the fears of being gay in a society where it was illegal. 60's Batman was also a satire on issues of the day. The Handmaid's Tale was about the rise of the religious right in the 1980s.

The specific references get lost over time, but if fiction is well written the themes themselves go beyond specific allegories and become analyses of the human condition.