In "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" Fr. Seraphim Rose connects the basic themes of science fiction with traditional tales of witchcraft and the occult, a connection that was more obvious in its earlier days (i.e. Frankenstein) than the Star Trek-era in which he wrote, but there all the same. It's the promise of transcending human limitations through an occult understanding of the universe. I think it's interesting that as science advances it moves beyond what normal, intelligent people can comprehend into a rarified space where only a select few can understand the mechanics of the theories, technology etc. involved, while at the same time the notions of what science can do have shifted in the popular mind from hopeful optimism to dread and ennui. Our greatest modern inventions make us sick, lazy, addicted, have stolen the dignity of labor and are now poised to do so for thought. Only a conscious return to a spiritually-informed idea of humanity can prevent that, a theme that better modern sci-fi, like Dune, engages, and what a better-informed public policy regarding science will hopefully promote. "Thou shall not make a machine in the likeness of the human mind."
Thank you, a good and thought provoking read. I grew up with Sci-Fi and comic books, Star Trek was astounding, Lost in Space disappointing, but man there was so much more to come. Yet, you have surely put your finger on something - "Today most envision the future as a burnt-out wasteland." From Walking Dead (and it's offspring) to Fallout, the wasteland is oddly fertile, at least for producers of current entertainment. But, question for you, did the wasteland not always beckon as a source of great stories? Mad Max is now decades old, and even Blade Runner hinted at a world that, despite all its tech advances, was a dark wasteland of sorts. Uh oh, too much rambling for a comment. Regards
An Excellent Tour de Force on What Science Is (& Isn't):
The only addendum is that today's 'Imperial Faith' has already passed over 'Science' in favour of more malleable models. Perhaps Westerners have already passed that 'second religiosity' & are now in phase #3, where the focus is less on 'Science' & more on the Panopticon it created.
In "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" Fr. Seraphim Rose connects the basic themes of science fiction with traditional tales of witchcraft and the occult, a connection that was more obvious in its earlier days (i.e. Frankenstein) than the Star Trek-era in which he wrote, but there all the same. It's the promise of transcending human limitations through an occult understanding of the universe. I think it's interesting that as science advances it moves beyond what normal, intelligent people can comprehend into a rarified space where only a select few can understand the mechanics of the theories, technology etc. involved, while at the same time the notions of what science can do have shifted in the popular mind from hopeful optimism to dread and ennui. Our greatest modern inventions make us sick, lazy, addicted, have stolen the dignity of labor and are now poised to do so for thought. Only a conscious return to a spiritually-informed idea of humanity can prevent that, a theme that better modern sci-fi, like Dune, engages, and what a better-informed public policy regarding science will hopefully promote. "Thou shall not make a machine in the likeness of the human mind."
I will hope for a techno restoration, while I re-embrace the analog world.
Thank you, a good and thought provoking read. I grew up with Sci-Fi and comic books, Star Trek was astounding, Lost in Space disappointing, but man there was so much more to come. Yet, you have surely put your finger on something - "Today most envision the future as a burnt-out wasteland." From Walking Dead (and it's offspring) to Fallout, the wasteland is oddly fertile, at least for producers of current entertainment. But, question for you, did the wasteland not always beckon as a source of great stories? Mad Max is now decades old, and even Blade Runner hinted at a world that, despite all its tech advances, was a dark wasteland of sorts. Uh oh, too much rambling for a comment. Regards
Science has been replaced by "The Science"
An Excellent Tour de Force on What Science Is (& Isn't):
The only addendum is that today's 'Imperial Faith' has already passed over 'Science' in favour of more malleable models. Perhaps Westerners have already passed that 'second religiosity' & are now in phase #3, where the focus is less on 'Science' & more on the Panopticon it created.