Early science fiction written by scientists that accurately predicted the future.

[Aisling]

The Black Cloud, by Fred Hoyle: Brilliant for its time. Carl Sagan was a big fan.

Arthur C. Clarke's 'Rendezvous with Rama' Clarke made some unusually accurate forecasts for the future way back in 1964 in the TV programme ‘Horizon’. Still available, and watched, on YouTube.

*‘Rendezvous with Rama ' features a strange interstellar object travelling through our solar system that turns out to be an ancient spacecraft. In a strange echo of that fiction, an unidentified interstellar visitor has been observed very recently and should come close within the next couple of months. The consensus scientific opinion is that it is probably a comet, but a well-known American physicist thinks that it may be an alien visitor from a distant star system. We will soon find out!

Isaac Asimov's ‘ I, Robot’ Asimov was another great visionary, and his 3 Laws of Robotics are particularly relevant today as we seek means to control the incredibly fast evolution of AI.

Carl Sagan: ‘Contact’, his nonfiction book. ‘The Demon Haunted World,’ in 1995, prophesied the totalitarian state that the USA threatens to become today.

Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Verne is the only non-scientist in the list, but he is often called ‘The Father of modern science fiction, and his technological predictions for the future were stunningly accurate.

*The title examples are arbitrary

Most, of course, are dated in their portrayal of social attitudes and archaic dialogue, but that adds to their charm. The wisecracking remarks made between Donovan and Powell in Asimov’s robot books, the 'Holy Space! and 'Jumping Jupiter!' exclamations, are of a different era and recall the early sci-fi magazines in the US.

Anybody else got any personal favourites?

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I don't know if this would count as sci-fi, but you have to include George Orwell's "1984" here.

We're very, horrifyingly close to it.

 

[Aisling]

Thank you for your reply, Leilani

I agree. I was going to include 1984 on my dystopian list, together with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Thank you for your reply, Leilani

I agree. I was going to include 1984 on my dystopian list, together with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World

I would also add "Metropolis", the 1925 science fiction novel by the German writer Thea von Harbou, which became a stunningly accurate movie.

 

[BigBadBoi]

If we're gonna include dystopia novels then V for Vendetta should be included too since the UK is an absolute shitshow right now.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Personally I think it is less of prediction and more of self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Alski]

Personally I think it is less of prediction and more of self fulfilling prophecy.

Its also the fact that with enough different stories some are going to be close to the future.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Its also the fact that with enough different stories some are going to be close to the future.

It's a matter of personal perspective and perception. I'm sure H.G. Wells for example was thinking of the future the way he personally saw it - not a prediction. So, we really can't say any scifi novel tried to predict the future. Authors saw their own visions of it, that's all. *^^*

 

[Aisling]

It's a matter of personal perspective and perception. I'm sure H.G. Wells for example was thinking of the future the way he personally saw it - not a prediction. So, we really can't say any scifi novel tried to predict the future. Authors saw their own visions of it, that's all. *^^*

Yes, I agree that the predictions of H.G. Wells, for example, were notably based on his Socialist beliefs, and condemnation of the Victorian class structure.

In ‘The Time Machine the subterranean Morlocks, embodied the descendants of the working class, who were initially sent underground to operate and tend to the machines, out of sight of the land-owning aristocrats. Similar to the servants of the upper classes who lived their lives ‘below stairs’ and as far as possible away from their masters.

Arthur C Clarke had a more objective view based on his knowledge and the potential of science and technology. Many were stunningly accurate, and I strongly recommend watching the short TV program available on Youtube filmed live in 1964. A couple of direct quotes below:

“An “artificial satellite” at the correct distance from the earth would make one revolution every 24 hours; i.e., it would remain stationary above the same spot and would be within optical range of nearly half the earth’s surface. Three repeater stations, 120 degrees apart in the correct orbit, could give television and microwave coverage to the entire planet.” [‘Wireless World 1945.]

Predicting the home P.C
“It would be a high-definition TV screen, and a typewriter keyboard, and through this you can exchange any type of information, send messages to your friends. They can wait and when they get up they can see what messages have come in the night.”

“. . .get all the information he needs for his everyday life; his bank statements, his theatre reservations…”

Also. In his novel ‘Imperial Earth . [1975] he invented a device he called ‘Comsole. which bears a great similarity to a search engine. He also predicts not just the vast size of the web and how it will be organized, but also the impact it will have on users’ minds.

 

[DireBadger]

The problem with V for vendetta was that it was not written as futurism, and the totalitarian state that he 'predicted' already existed, and in far worse of a form than he depicted it. Not to mention the 'solutions' he suggested were worse than the disease, based on his personal politics and basic stupidity as a writer. Moore was a comic book writer, and his character was written to appeal to disaffected youth that had no grasp on reality... he succeeded in luring the stupid into thinking he had a message.

1984 was a marvel of prediction, and while the details were wrong, the overall feel of his fiction was spot-on. He was only off by a few years.

Robert Heinlein, as much as I loved him growing up, was pretty much off in every prediction he made, his understanding of human psychology that he made the focus of his books, and even his ideas of what COULD happen.

Isaac asimov created a framework that was incredibly unrealistic, and was lauded for it. but he was lauded by the 'should be' crowd rather than the 'can be', because despite his scientific background, his resolutions and future history showed an incredible lack of human understanding. Still entertaining fiction, though.

John Norman's fiction is looking more and more likely, though.

 

[Aisling]

As a postscript to my previous contribution, I would like to add that, in my opinion, the ability to accurately predict the future does not necessarily make the author a major science fiction writer, in the way it does with Arthur C Clarke, nor is it a major objective for writers.

Many writers adopt a futuristic setting for their stories because of the free rein it gives them to explore fantastic ideas without the limitation of present day knowledge and make them seem more plausible. Predicting the future is rather like weather forecasting and playing the stock market – not an accurate science, because of the number of random variables.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

The problem with V for vendetta was that it was not written as futurism, and the totalitarian state that he 'predicted' already existed, and in far worse of a form than he depicted it. Not to mention the 'solutions' he suggested were worse than the disease, based on his personal politics and basic stupidity as a writer. Moore was a comic book writer, and his character was written to appeal to disaffected youth that had no grasp on reality... he succeeded in luring the stupid into thinking he had a message.

1984 was a marvel of prediction, and while the details were wrong, the overall feel of his fiction was spot-on. He was only off by a few years.

Robert Heinlein, as much as I loved him growing up, was pretty much off in every prediction he made, his understanding of human psychology that he made the focus of his books, and even his ideas of what COULD happen.

Isaac asimov created a framework that was incredibly unrealistic, and was lauded for it. but he was lauded by the 'should be' crowd rather than the 'can be', because despite his scientific background, his resolutions and future history showed an incredible lack of human understanding. Still entertaining fiction, though.

John Norman's fiction is looking more and more likely, though.

"V for Vendetta" was an offshoot of the events of 9/11 and the horrific "homeland security" bullcrap it brought about. That's certainly how I saw the movie, anyway. The government ruled with fear - because fear always works.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

"V for Vendetta" was an offshoot of the events of 9/11 and the horrific "homeland security" bullcrap it brought about. That's certainly how I saw the movie, anyway. The government ruled with fear - because fear always works.

I'm sure the producers made sure to suggest that in the film, but the graphic novel was out about 15 years or more before those events.

1984 was a marvel of prediction, and while the details were wrong, the overall feel of his fiction was spot-on. He was only off by a few years.

1984 and Animal Farm were both the direct results of "Orwell's" involvement with the attempt to put a socialist government in Spain. He tried to assist, but left disgusted because he could no longer tell the people he was fighting for from the people he was fighting against. Animal Farm was a more light-hearted poke at the idea, 1984 his fear for how it would eventually turn out.

 

[DireBadger]

I'm sure the producers made sure to suggest that in the film, but the graphic novel was out about 15 years or more before those events.

1984 and Animal Farm were both the direct results of "Orwell's" involvement with the attempt to put a socialist government in Spain. He tried to assist, but left disgusted because he could no longer tell the people he was fighting for from the people he was fighting against. Animal Farm was a more light-hearted poke at the idea, 1984 his fear for how it would eventually turn out.

Pretty much exactly right. The 'human condition' has always been the lull between tragedies, and anyone who pretends that humans can be happy, productive, intellectual, and fair... at the same time... is either insane, drunk, or selling you something.

Ironically, the non-film version of V was a MUCH better story than the film version. It was still childish and basically pathetic, but the film version took all of the worst excesses, multiplied them by two, and then tried to manipulate the audience emotionally into pretending the changes weren't even worse than the original. Not to mention, Hugo Weaving was an absolutely brilliant actor who single-handedly MADE the Matrix a reasonably watchable movie, and everyone was in love with Natalie Portman's projected innocence... they could have been in a movie written by Stephen King and it still would have been a hit. Without weaving, V for Vendetta would have literally been a flopbuster, and reasonably so.

On the plus side, though, Orwell never said how to fix the flaws he saw in civilization, because there is no solution. Humans can be civilized in small groups for short durations. His biggest mistake? The failure to realize that ANY government, including anarchy, can be perfect if humans are perfect, and that NO government, especially the LACK of government, can be perfect if humans are less than perfect.

Basically, we all keep muddling along as best we can. I try desperately to leverage that into my novels, but I have been called an anarchist, a despot, a right-wing terrorist, and a leftist meatball... for the same chapter! I figure I must be doing something right :)

 

[CharlesEBrown]

On the plus side, though, Orwell never said how to fix the flaws he saw in civilization, because there is no solution. Humans can be civilized in small groups for short durations. His biggest mistake? The failure to realize that ANY government, including anarchy, can be perfect if humans are perfect, and that NO government, especially the LACK of government, can be perfect if humans are less than perfect.

Basically, we all just keep muddling along as best we can. I try desperately to leverage that into my novels, but I have been called an anarchist, a despot, a right-wing terrorist, and a leftist meatball... for the same chapter! I figure I must be doing something right :)

Actually, from some of his other writings I've seen, I believe he realized EXACTLY this and that was his message in both books. That humans muck everything up, either from the start (1984) or through the best of intentions, progressively (pun not intended but appropriate) misapplied (Animal Farm) over time.

 

[DireBadger]

Actually, from some of his other writings I've seen, I believe he realized EXACTLY this and that was his message in both books. That humans muck everything up, either from the start (1984) or through the best of intentions, progressively (pun not intended but appropriate) misapplied (Animal Farm) over time.

Unlike Orwell, I am an Optimist. I think a hero will always rise... even if he later turns into a villain. Then again, I consider myself a (Poor) Christian, and that's kind of a core tenet of the philosophy :)

That's why I LOVE HFY novels. because that's kind of their basic concept. I HOPE that predicts the future... The other V... the TV miniseries, is some of the best HFY ever filmed.

I thought Animal Farm was a poor representation, because I was that age when I first read it... it felt unbelievably inaccurate, but I was not British and I'd spent half my life as a boy scout, and we were well-organized. If that had happened to US, none of the undisciplined crap would have happened :) but from the standpoint of a political discourse, it wasn't terrible, it was just flawed because it oversimplified TOO much and tried too hard to push a message against tribalism, which is the only long-term government that has withstood the test of time and the mortal enemy of socialism which has failed every single time.

*whups, I got animal farm mixed up with lord of the flies for a moment. Sorry, my screw up. I read both of them like...40 years ago.*

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I'm sure the producers made sure to suggest that in the film, but the graphic novel was out about 15 years or more before those events.

1984 and Animal Farm were both the direct results of "Orwell's" involvement with the attempt to put a socialist government in Spain. He tried to assist, but left disgusted because he could no longer tell the people he was fighting for from the people he was fighting against. Animal Farm was a more light-hearted poke at the idea, 1984 his fear for how it would eventually turn out.

I think you nailed Orwell's intentions perfectly. When we read "Animal Farm" in high school, we were taught how it melded with Russian classes and government instead - because, you know, we still hated Russia at the time. *^^*

 

[Aisling]

Unlike Orwell, I am an Optimist. I think a hero will always rise... even if he later turns into a villain. Then again, I consider myself a (Poor) Christian, and that's kind of a core tenet of the philosophy :)

That's why I LOVE HFY novels. because that's kind of their basic concept. I HOPE that predicts the future... The other V... the TV miniseries, is some of the best HFY ever filmed.

I thought Animal Farm was a poor representation, because I was that age when I first read it... it felt unbelievably inaccurate, but I was not British and I'd spent half my life as a boy scout, and we were well-organized. If that had happened to US, none of the undisciplined crap would have happened :) but from the standpoint of a political discourse, it wasn't terrible, it was just flawed because it oversimplified TOO much and tried too hard to push a message against tribalism, which is the only long-term government that has withstood the test of time and the mortal enemy of socialism which has failed every single time.

*whups, I got animal farm mixed up with lord of the flies for a moment. Sorry, my screw up. I read both of them like...40 years ago.*

I read’ Lord of the Flies’ at school, and the message I got [as did many others] was how thin the veneer of civilisation actually is. When freed from social restrictions and rules, humans can, and will, revert to savagery in the blink of an eye.

About the same time, I read ‘The Day of the Triffids,’ by the much-underestimated John Wyndham, and the story captivated me.

Much later, ‘The Road,’ by Cormac McCarthy, confirmed the idea of savagery bubbling beneath the surface of every man.

Most of the SS guards responsible for the worst atrocities in the concentration camps in WW2 would have probably lived law-abiding lives if the opportunity to behave like savages with no repercussions had not presented itself.

I could go on ad infinitum with real-life examples, but the one I have to mention is the My Lai massacre of over 500 elderly men, young children, and women in Vietnam in 1968 by ordinary 19-year-old conscripted American GIs. They were ordered to kill everybody in the village by their officer, and they obeyed. Women and children as young as 12 were gang raped, and their bodies mutilated.

At the end of ‘The Road’, McCarthy has the boy rescued by a man, with children so maybe he thought that good would triumph in the end.

 

[Prince_Azmiran_Myrian]

"V for Vendetta" was an offshoot of the events of 9/11 and the horrific "homeland security" bullcrap it brought about. That's certainly how I saw the movie, anyway. The government ruled with fear - because fear always works.

V for Vendetta was published in the 80s in the UK.

Anyways, my theory is that people grew up reading these kinds of stories and ended up making them come true, sort of like children mimicking what they see on TV. People liked it so much they made it reality.

Thanks boomers.

 

[DireBadger]

V for Vendetta was published in the 80s in the UK.

Anyways, my theory is that people grew up reading these kinds of stories and ended up making them come true, sort of like children mimicking what they see on TV. People liked it so much they made it reality.

Thanks boomers.

They made us raise ourselves. Of course we screwed it up. We have writers like Piers Anthony, Robert Heinlein, and George raperape martin as our examples.