In college, I had a talk with one of my physics professors about how technology would be humanity’s savior. He was a kind, elderly man who encouraged me not to put my faith entirely in technology. It actually wasn’t too long before I wanted to thank him for his wisdom. In the decades since, I’ve come to agree with him even more.
Don’t worry, though, this isn’t going to be a rant on the evils of technology. I still believe in tech, but it often raises questions that we as humans had never even contemplated before. That’s not a bad thing or a good thing, just a fact. But one of those questions I’ve been thinking about keeps me up at night.
I’m sure it isn’t what you might think.
It’s all about where science and science fiction collide. Here it is:
Have modern telescopes, or any of the more advanced ones coming, ruined science fiction stories involving space exploration?
So that’s not something most people probably worry about. However, because much of what I write focuses on space exploration and galactic empires, it really disturbs me. Think about it. If we can image planets orbiting another star (see video), measure the chemicals in exoplanet atmospheres, and potentially identify techno-signatures *today* imagine what we can do in a hundred years, or a thousand, or ten millennia.
Images from W. M. Keck Observatory, a ground based telescope!
My universe, the Myriadu, is based in part on the history of human civilization. Its rises and falls, the lost and the found. But how, in a galaxy where you can just look and see where everyone is, would there be any issue with lost bits of civilization? Naturally, the technology would get lost too, right? But that feels like a cop-out on many levels.
Our capabilities in astronomy are just getting so good, it makes me worry that my sci-fi stories are behind the times, even if they are based in the far-future where traveling between worlds is commonplace.
Should I worry?
Ultimately, stories are about the human experience, whether the situations they are in are real or unreal. Intellectually, I know this, but as a physicist and sci-fi writer, it’s hard not to feel insecure about how I represent science, even though my stories are “soft” sci-fi.
Maybe that’s why I’m also drawn to writing fantasy. ; ]
Are you keeping up with all the amazing technology advances in astronomy (or any other field)? I’d love to hear your thoughts on tech or this specific issue about sci-fi writing. Just drop a comment if you want to share.
Before you go…
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I enjoyed this take I’m not to familiar wit recent innovations in tech on dis topic but I’m interested
Yeah, you wouldn't see it from earth or wherever. You'd have to go there and be surprised. There's also the need for having the right aperature size to be able to resolve stuff. You wouldn't be able to actually see details.