I think sci-fi writers tend to get a bad rap. When it comes to the genre, science fiction can often be touted as "visionaries with a cracked lens." Think Orwell's 1984; Collins' The Hunger Games; Philip K. Dick's Minority Report. It seems that when we are introduced to new technology or a different historical narrative, humanity pays the price. Things don't look better, they look worse.
As a sci-fi writer by trade, I decided to look into this further. Granted, science fiction does have the capacity to immerse us in dystopian futures and post-apocalyptic dangers, but sci-fi can also inspire us to think outside the box. What are we capable of? What have we yet to imagine that is possibly real? This is a bit of a challenging question. One that I didn't expect to talk about worldviews with, but I did within the context of this episode.
And as a final note, I wanted to make mention of the passing of sci-fi legend, Ursula K le Guin. Aside from her great contributions to science fiction writing, Ms. le Guin wrote a particularly intriguing foreword in one of her books, The Left Hand of Darkness, that really inspired this episode. So I'll be discussing that too.
Is Art Valuable In a Time of Crisis?
COVID-19 and What Story Do You Feel Is Being Told Right Now?
Mulan and #MeToo
Narrative Wars 12: Marriage: Real-Life Fairy Tale? Or Just a 1-in-2 Divorce?
E66: "Bambi" and Initiating Boys Into Manhood
Narrative Wars 11: Humans - Advanced Breed of Apes? Or Something Divine?
Update 2020 (It's a Short One)
E65: "Star Wars: A New Hope" and the Allure of Uncharted Space
E64: "Rudolph" and the Bullies, the Misfits, and Life's Harsh Lessons
Narrative Wars 10: Should We 'Bend the Knee' to Our Critics?
E63: "The Fellowship of the Ring" and Finding Your Place in a Group
Interview 18: Despite Popular Belief, "Story and THE Story Are Connected"
E62: "It" and Fear Through the Lens of Children and Adults
Interview 17: Sam Eldredge, author of "Killing Lions: A Guide Through the Trials Young Men Face"
E61: "The Lion King" and What Redemption Looks Like
E60: "Dark" and What If Time Travel Was Possible?
The Writer's Lens - E59: The Exalting and Glorifying of Ideas
Narrative Wars 09: Why Is It So Hard To Change People's Minds?
The Writer's Lens - E58: Can Telling A Story Expose Something?
Narrative Wars 08: What Is A Human Life Worth?
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