One of the aspirations of mankind is to achieve utopia, which is widely insinuated as a possibility in much of the science fiction genre. The epitome of civilization would mean that much of the tasks individuals and nations find difficult would be facilitated by the epitome of science. However, when life imitates art through imagination and ingenuity, the extraordinary becomes ordinary; much like the existence of certain previously unfeasible paraphernalia taken as it is at face value today. The daily use of such items as cell phones, computers and automatic doors do not even register as miraculous inventions, but as commonplace routine. The ethics concerning potential advancements in relation to society are also important considering that technologies such as gene therapy and issues such as privacy are highly controversial. Science fiction provides humanity with the ability to view the possibilities of the future and the consequences associated with the innovation associated with it.

The assumption that every idea implemented in a science fiction story will grow into something corporal is ridiculous. However, it should be acknowledged that many items that were previously only a part of a piece of literature have become actual objects in use today. Space flight has always been an integral part in many science fiction books, and is now an accepted part of everyday science. It has lead to many advancements, and inspired further novels on life in space, creating a sort of reciprocating circle of inspiration and innovation. That particular development is one of many that have challenged the way that human beings collectively see the world they exist in.

As science progresses, society is expected to maintain an equal level of ethics regarding that science. However, scientific thinking does not always involve the acceptance of all people, whether for religious reasons or otherwise. An example of such would be the advances made with stem cell research today, and the controversy it has sparked on a political and religious field. Some feel that it is unethical to use embryonic stem cells as material for treatments, while others see it as an avenue to solve ailments such as spinal injuries. These issues have not only been previously questioned, but have been questioned in many science fiction novels as principles behind owning parts of the human genome. People are entitled to being their own person and “in a sense, bodily ownership is the most fundamental kind of ownership we know” (Crichton 504). Using another beings genetic material for medical purposes

The issue over privacy and security is currently at a peak with the age of information, where it is possible to find anything within seconds with an internet connection. The world has become so interconnected that it is possible to post something across the globe by thumbing a button on a cell phone. Since cameras are built into nearly everything along with a way to connect to the World Wide Web, anyone can be seen by anyone else who bothers looking. Employers can investigate potential employees through social networking sites with a simple name search and find out a person’s entire internet life. Even though privacy is an indispensable part of human privileges, it has become less of a guarantee and more of an individual’s choice. Since “Big Brother is watching you” (Orwell 5) and Big Brother can be anyone with the desire to involve themselves in ones business, the subject of privacy has become near extinct.

The future is as uncertain as it always has been, and since there is no way to know for certain that everything will turn out as expected it is reasonable to assume that sci-fi will spark something new. Depending on the level of acceptance in society seeing as it has fluctuated in the past, new ideas or creations will likely be met with mistrust and fear instead of open minds and arms. A utopia is farfetched enough to be a viable concept for fiction in general, and science fiction is no exception from that pattern. The idea of utopia being reached by humankind is often portrayed as requiring controlling factors rather than individual choice. A dictatorship is the most common form of government control apparent in science fiction

Science fiction provides mankind with the chance to open future horizons. With the unmeasured depths of human aspiration comes change with which science fiction can produce fantastic results. Such influences allow the imagination to develop previously impossible creations through the concepts that are presented by this particular genre. Evidence of such influences is clearly visible in various aspects of modern life, and will continue to shape the advancements of the world indefinitely. The possibility that civilization may become something new is plausible because it has occurred previously and will certainly continue to do so.

Society is the damper for most scientific progress, and while such trails are a good way to prevent unreasonable advances, it hampers useful development as well. The idea that a human could live indefinitely due to medical advancement has been an issue of playing God. Organ transplants have been introduced as horrific concepts in several volumes yet has become a well practiced medical procedure that saves countless lives every year. Electronic equipment used to monitor patients seem like monstrous machines from any good sci-fi book, but are an integral part of medicine. “The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future.” (Herbert 321). Years ago, those very machines would be considered abominations that prolonged life longer than was intended by nature. The acceptance came only after the procedures proved their efficiency and grew into practicality.

The integrity of the human spirit is as valued as anything has been or likely will be. Therefore the topic of the human spirit being dominated and ruled by something other than the individual themselves is a challenging idea to contemplate. Then world has witnessed the results of absolute power being granted to a single person or faction, and such results included the basest violations of human rights. The drives behind these parties have been aligned by the desire for utopian society. The attempts included eliminating threats to unity and removing what divided people from one another, whether it was wealth, religion or otherwise. It concluded that “Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.” (Herbert 373). No matter what intentions have been or will be behind the desire for universal peace and unanimity, there is no way to compartmentalize every person into a specific being.

Innovation does not come without imagination, and the manner that science fiction presents itself is an effective means for such growth. The cycle of literary and intellectual development will continue indefinitely or until there is not further development possible. An ideal world of acceptance and tolerance in the form of a universal utopia is currently somewhat farfetched compared to what is suggested in science fiction. Nevertheless, aspirations of science fiction shall continue to introduce new ideas to current or future considerations, whether it may be physical objects or psychological ideals. Until the point where humankind reaches its pinnacle of improvement and stagnates there will be evolution of the species through the insightful fabrications of science fiction.