Science Fiction Post #2

In all the science fiction that we've read in this class thus far, every author seems to portray one common emotion; fear. Every author seems to be pecimistic to a degree offering up a "worst case scenario" of what may come to pass. In addition, all the stories agree that the problematic future we are set to inherit is created by mankind and the actions they've taken; it is our own fault. Most likely the most pecimistic, yet most talented, author would have to be Atwood. In both of her novels, she describes a new world completely different from the one we know, entirely at the fault of mankind. In both her novels, pornography and leud conduct seem to be a forewarning of a cataclismic (sp?) event that destroys society. Whether it be genetic mutation gone wrong or chemical spills and governmental overthrow, they both change how the world lives for the worse. Life becomes much more controlled and monitored in attempts to create a more efficient society, especially in Handmaid's Tale. The future foretold in Oryx & Crake is much like the one predicted in "Robot Dreams"; scientific advancement escapes the control of the scientists and becomes a self-operating entitiy, like the genetic mutation and the dreaming robot. Handmaid's Tale and V for Vendetta also share eeire similarities as the world we live in now is replaced by totalatarian governments who control and censor anything that would make the government seem out of control. One thing is true in all of these texts; whatever terrible future we create is a direct spawn of fields that are supposed to be helping us, government and science. Mankinds obsession with technological advancement seems to reach the spillover point where it can only come crashing to the ground. Out of all these futures, I believe the future fortold in Oryx and Crake is the most frightening and believable. With all the controversy with stem-cell research and genetic mutation coupled with the global warming fear, it seems that humanity has the potential to destroy itself in efforts to create greater convenience. I believe that totalitarian governmental overthrow, though possible, is less likely and would create a less disasterous future than the self-destruction foretold in Oryx & Crake.