I love good science fiction. It allows us to examine our societies and cultures in an entertaining way without being too “on the money.” It allows our imaginations to reach the stars—as we focus on problems and issues that are very down to earth.
Examples that I have discussed here:
My current favorite is the SyFy Channel’s BG prequel called Caprica. It is about how the Cylons, which 60 years hence will all but obliterated the human species in Battlestar Gallactica, came into being. What I find so fascinating is that the culture of Caprica is a libertarian dream of radical individualism that many are striving for here, and yet, people are wholly dissatisfied with lives that have no existential meaning or purpose. So they often escape into a virtual reality world—leading to dire consequences when the daughter of the corporate mogul who invented the virtual world is blown up by a terrorist and he finds her cyber double in what might be called inner space. Also, echoing our own day, the “12 planets” are suffering from religious terrorism, in which monotheists seek to overthrow a Roman-type paganism, in which few actually believe, as the reigning cultural paradigm. Except, now the monotheists don’t want immortality in the next experience in an eschatological sense, but rather, a transhumanist immortality that allows eternal life as cyborgs—a desire that will lead ultimately to the creation of Cylons and utter catastrophe. Along the way, there is good soap opera, a crime syndicate, great acting, appealing actors, and plenty of imagination. Highly recommended unless one is easily offended by sensuality or having your philosophical ox gored since everyone is fair game.
What are some of your sci-fi favorites, and why?
