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Thinking longer term about technology: is there value in science fiction-inspired approaches to constructing futures?

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  • Clark A Miller
  • Ira Bennett

Abstract

‘Science fact, not science fiction’ is an oft-heard refrain in the world of technology assessment and forecasting. Yet, as a literary form, science fiction offers a unique approach to thinking longer term about technology: one grounded in narratives that are people-centric, future-oriented, and focused on non-linear dynamics across the interaction of multiple technologies, value-laden images of future societies, questions of meaning and identity, and enduring symbols and problem framings. Building on this approach, we suggest in this paper that new socio-literary techniques, inspired by science fiction, could offer significant contributions to the governance of new and emerging technologies by improving the capacity to reflexively assess the social dynamics of socio-technical systems. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

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  • Clark A Miller & Ira Bennett, 2008. "Thinking longer term about technology: is there value in science fiction-inspired approaches to constructing futures?," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 35(8), pages 597-606, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:35:y:2008:i:8:p:597-606
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.3152/030234208X370666
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    Cited by:

    1. Joaquín M. Azagra-Caro & Laura González-Salmerón & Pedro Marques, 2021. "Fiction lagging behind or non-fiction defending the indefensible? University–industry (et al.) interaction in science fiction," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 1889-1916, December.
    2. Stilgoe, Jack & Owen, Richard & Macnaghten, Phil, 2013. "Developing a framework for responsible innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(9), pages 1568-1580.

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