Science fiction is a mirror of its time. It can show the fears, hopes, and dreams of the people who created it. The settings, characters, and conflicts often have roots in the current events and ideas of when it was written.
Science fiction often presents exaggerated or futuristic scenarios that mirror current social issues or potential directions society could take. It can highlight problems like inequality, environmental concerns, and technological ethics.
Perhaps it also shows the trust or lack thereof in institutions. If the bacillus was stolen from a scientific institution, it could imply doubts about the security and reliability of such places. It might be a commentary on how society viewed the safety measures in place to protect important scientific findings.
Science fiction in the 1700s often reflected the society's growing interest in science and exploration. For example, early ideas about traveling to far - off places, like the moon, were a way to show the human desire for discovery. It also reflected the social hierarchies of the time. In some stories, the characters' status in society affected how they interacted with new or strange things. And the fear of the unknown, which was a big part of society then, was also shown in science fiction. If something new and scientific was introduced in a story, it was often met with suspicion, just like in real - life society.
Gaslighting in science fiction often reflects the power dynamics in society. Just as in '1984' where the totalitarian regime gaslights the people to maintain control. It shows how those in power can manipulate the truth to keep the masses in check.
Science fiction often takes current trends and extrapolates them to extreme scenarios. It shows us what could happen if these trends continue unchecked.
Anthony Burgess's science fiction, especially 'A Clockwork Orange', was influenced by the post - war context. There was a sense of unease about the future and how society was changing. The extreme violence in the book can be seen as a comment on the breakdown of traditional values and the potential for society to go astray if not properly guided. His work also reflects on the power dynamics between the individual and the state, which was a relevant topic during his time.
Surveillance science fiction reflects modern society by exaggerating current trends. For example, in real life we have CCTV cameras everywhere, and in science fiction, this is often taken to an extreme where every action is monitored. It makes us think about how much surveillance is too much.
In colonization science fiction, we often see human ambition. Humans are always eager to expand and conquer new lands, like in 'Star Trek' where they explore and colonize different planets. It shows our adventurous side.
Eugenics science fiction often shows the unethical nature of extreme eugenic practices. For example, in many works, the discrimination against those not genetically 'perfect' is highlighted, which is clearly wrong in terms of basic human rights.
Deindustrial science fiction reflects on the future of technology by showing its decline. In these stories, the high - tech systems that once powered industry break down. There may be a shift towards more low - tech, sustainable solutions as people adapt to the lack of industrial - scale technology. It also makes us think about how reliant we are on technology and what could happen if it fails on a large scale.