What Sci-Fi Got Right: Asimov's 1972 Novel & Its Impact on Politics

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SUMMARY

Isaac Asimov's 1972 novel, The Gods Themselves, explores the implications of free energy discovery, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences for Earth. The character Senator Burt emphasizes that the public prioritizes individual comfort over environmental protection, illustrating a stark reality in political decision-making. This discussion highlights the tension between scientific foresight and public resistance to change, drawing parallels with George Orwell's 1984 and its commentary on surveillance and truth manipulation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Asimov's literary contributions and themes
  • Familiarity with the concept of free energy and its implications
  • Knowledge of political dynamics in environmental policy
  • Awareness of dystopian literature, particularly Orwell's 1984
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the scientific principles behind free energy technologies
  • Explore the political ramifications of environmental legislation
  • Analyze the themes of dystopian literature and their relevance today
  • Investigate public perception of energy policies and environmental protection
USEFUL FOR

Readers interested in the intersection of science fiction and political discourse, environmental activists, scholars of dystopian literature, and anyone examining the societal implications of technological advancements.

Hornbein
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Science fiction author Isaac Asimov's 1972 novel The Gods Themselves is about mankind having discovered how to get free energy. It's great until some scientists figure out it is going to cause the Sun to go nova and destroy the Earth. Here's what happens when they talk to a senator.

"Let me give you a lesson in practical politics." Senator Burt looked at his wristwatch, leaned back and smiled. "It is a mistake," he said, "to suppose the public wants the environment protected or their lives saved and that they will be grateful to any idealist who will fight for such end.. What the the public wants is their own individual comfort."

Then he tell them that the voters aren't going to give up free energy and if the world is destroyed, well, that's just too bad. Gotta be impressed.
 
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Imagine people being told there’s a new mandate to stop driving for x months. There would be riots everywhere.
 
Organlegging
The Jigsaw Man

vs.

reality
also

So far it is not a really widely accepted practice, but Sci-Fi definitely got the possibility right :frown:
Also, I wonder how much of the resistance against this can be attributed to the early warning.
 
Hornbein said:
Science fiction author Isaac Asimov's 1972 novel The Gods Themselves...
Decades before that, George Orwell penned 1984, and surely his prediction of the surveillance society and Ministry of Truth is more frightening, even if you don't classify his novel as sci-fi.