Where do you see sci fi going in the future?

[Hermiod]

^They're apparently looking at doing a version of Brian Michael Bendis' Powers.

 

[blockaderunner]

^They're apparently looking at doing a version of Brian Michael Bendis' Powers.

I read somewhere that, long ago, SciFi considered adapting the 80's comic Strikeforce: Morituri. Any word on that


I don't want to see any kind of sci-fi comedy. With the exception of Red Dwarf, it hardly ever works (e.g. Homeboys From Outer Space, My Hero, etc.). Nor do I want a standard soap opera with sci-fi dressings (Looking in your direction, NuBSG).

I'd like to see more speculative fiction. Taking the existing science we know now and portraying its possible evolution. Discovery Channel's Mars thing and Alien Planet are two good examples of that. The Perils of space alone is ripe with drama. Never mind a bumpy forehead.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

^No Heroics some how works for a superhero comedy.

 

[Harvey]

An end to stories where humans are the super special saviors of the universe (or, super special saviors of space if you want to maximize the alliteration ). It's one of only a few narrative elements of Babylon 5 that struck me as stupid, and I've seen it crop up all over space based science fiction on television.

But that's just what I want, which also includes more hard science fiction like 2001: A Space Odyssey. Neither thing is likely to happen, I think.

 

[bryce]

No more shows please that use the paranormal, fantasy trappings, or superpowers and claim the are "science fiction programs!"

*Please!*

There's enough fantastic, amazing, and mind blowing concepts and ideas in real science to explore!

[SNIP]
The biggest problem, though, with Science Fiction going forward is the increased alienness of humanity itself. As we grow closer to the things projected for the future, especially bionic/genetic enhancement, humans will become less... relatable, almost alien to contemporary viewers, with little to relate to for the people paying to keep this on the air... Regular, unenhanced humans doing things much as we do them now make less and less sense the farther we get into the actual future, but also makes for pretty poor drama... at least, the sort of drama we're used to getting from Hollywood these days...

Yeah, as much as I love Star Trek, it's kinda unimaginative, IMHO - even kinda strains believability, I think - to see plain and ordinary - and limited - 20th centry (only male *and* female) people living two and three hundred years in the future with little or no genetic, cybernetic, bionic, or nanotechnologocal enhancements or alterations...living lifespans that aren't much more longer than our's today...aging...even dying - and of silly things like drowning, or from physical trauma with should be easily dealt with in their time!

People use computers that require keyboards and fixed static computer interfaces? Or need a holodeck to enter a pretty basic VR!?

 

[bryce]

I'd like to see more shows like this - dealing with the ramifications of "just around the corner" technological advancements on society, that will happen - and will challenge current laws, change how we see ourselves, and even how we define "human" - that will change everything.

Great premise - flawed execution. (Should have been a cable show, imho.)

"Century City"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_City_(TV_series)

With the developments of cloning cells, genetic profiling, mind-altering antibiotics and even virtual rape, the attorneys of Crane, Constable, McNeil & Montero find themselves with an ongoing case-load of precedent-setting cases. In a time when lawyers can go before judges as holograms, the firm takes on such morally and ethically ambiguous cases as parents suing their doctor for withholding critical results of their unborn child's genetic mapping; defending a man accused of robbery for "stealing" back his identity from his ex-fiancée who has uploaded his presence and personality; protecting the rights of a woman who has been virtually raped through nanotechnology; and defending a rock star who refused to alter the laws of human nature to help his band stay on top. The attorneys are exceedingly aware that progress and development bring both luxuries and challenges. Tackling uncharted legal territory, Century City provides an eye-opening look into the issues confronting society in the year 2030—the not-so-distant future.

[snip]

Century City aired on the American CBS television network on Tuesday evenings and premiered on March 16, 2004. CBS ordered nine episodes, but broadcast only four before cancelling the series. Universal HD began broadcasting episodes on November 29, 2004, including previously unaired episodes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLjKVIBYuOc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OTP1obI5g&feature=related

 

[C.E. Evans]

To me, science-fiction is entertainment and as such works on different levels for different people. Hard science-fiction is a tough sell to most TV and movie execs these days--and may be an even harder sell to the average TV viewer who may get bored easily, IMO. There will always be an audience for hard science fiction, though, but I think variations of the classic space opera will remain dominant for the foreseeable future myself. We may see an emergence of more TV shows and movies dealing with futuristic/secret science gone mad on present-day Earth though.

Of course, there's also the possibility of science-fiction going the way of the western too, especially as more and more things that were once considered sci-fi become sci-fact...

 

[shivkala]

I'd like to see a return to more cerebral science fiction stories. Too many sci-fi shows and movies now are all about the action and special effects.

But that's where I'd like to see it going. As far as where it will go, I see two possibilities, both tied to the current economic crisis:

1. Science Fiction follows nuBSG in becoming darker, "harder," and more serious to reflect the times.
2. Science Fiction becomes more hopeful and optimistic to give people an escape from their current struggles.

I guess it all depends on whether people want to see a reflection of the current world in their sci-fi or if they turn to sci-fi to escape their struggles.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

Out for pizza.

But seriously:

Something well done.

Something relevant.

And as been said up thread, Something science fiction. Not something completely banal redressed to appear sci-fi-ish.

Beyond that, surprise me.