FARSIGHT How Sci-Fi Became Big Business
Aug 17, 2023
Discover how art shapes our futuristic perceptions and influences societal expectations. Explore the impact of sci-fi on technological innovation with insights from iconic authors. Learn about the fascinating partnerships between corporations and sci-fi writers, as they collaborate to envision future products. Delve into the military's use of science fiction in strategic planning, and uncover how fiction is becoming a vital tool for innovation across various industries.
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Sci-Fi's Influence on Tech
- Tim Berners-Lee drew inspiration from Arthur C. Clarke's Dial F for Frankenstein for the World Wide Web.
- The web, in turn, influenced Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, which shaped Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse vision.
Mitigating Bias in Tech
- The podcast questions if addressing bias in tech development could be improved by incorporating literature exploring situated knowledge.
- It suggests that acknowledging the impossibility of bias-free products could mitigate current challenges.
Sci-Fi Prototyping
- Companies like Google, Microsoft, and even Boeing employ sci-fi writers for "sci-fi prototyping."
- This helps them envision future product applications and potential scenarios.
