The ‘butterfly effect’ of science fiction
The ‘butterfly effect’ of science fiction
April 15, 2013
by Robert Walker
Nerd Reactor
I once heard someone say that there was a scientific study performed, in which it was proven that adults who were raised on science fiction were more tolerant than those who weren’t. This vague tale was told to me offhandedly in conversation, and afterward I went immediately to the internet and could find no such study. This makes sense I suppose, how would you even begin to study something like that anyway? The closest thing I could find, however, seems to be a quote from Amazing Stories publisher, Hugo Gernsback:
“Not only is science fiction an idea of tremendous import, but it is to be an important factor in making the world a better place to live in, through educating the public to the possibilities of science and the influence of science on life which, even today, are not appreciated by the man on the street. … If every man, woman, boy and girl, could be induced to read science fiction right along, there would certainly be a great resulting benefit to the community, in that the educational standards of its people would be raised tremendously. Science fiction would make people happier, give them a broader understanding of the world, make them more tolerant.†— Hugo Gernsback...
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