What Is the Creepiest Science Fiction Technology?

What is the creepiest science fiction technology?

Originally answered whether SF is a prediction of the future (i.e. intentional). This was only intended in one case that we know of, which I’ll go into in detail. Some authors will use innovations that are already well anticipated, like neural implants and genetic engineering. Most SF features derive from the fantasy pulp literature of the 1920s-40s in which science is an important element of the culture but is not taken literally by the authors. This also I will discuss in detail. One of the few innovations which appeared by design in SF was Arthur Clarke’s communications satellite, (scroll down for its mention) but note that he envisioned a MANNED space installation whose vacuum tubes were serviced by astronauts. The part of his idea that was used, and indeed the part he realized was novel was use of a geosynchronous orbit. Clarke’s idea wasn’t just written into a story plot. He sent it to the editor of Wireless World in a letter (published) in 1945 Extra-Terrestrial Relays – Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage? But the actual promulgators of the idea, when asked, could not trace its origin to Clarke. From the Wiki article linked above. “It is not clear that this article was actually the inspiration for the modern telecommunications satellite. According to John R. Pierce, of Bell Labs, who was involved in the Echo satellite and Telstar projects, he gave a talk upon the subject in 1954 (published in 1955), using ideas that were "in the air", but was not aware of Clarke's article at the time.” Note that while Clarke’s idea was not terribly feasible at the time he proposed it, as the transistor had not yet been invented (comm satellites may use klystrons, but only for the final stage), but the difficulties are only ones of practical technique, and were at the time were merely impractical. T could have been made to work to some degree, if not perhaps at the capacity and cost that would have been effective. This is almost never true of the most-wished-for features of modern “SF.” Most SF is currently fantasy. Faster than light and wormhole travel are fantasy. SF authors will not do the hard work of imagining the real future. In the early to mid 20th century there were some authors trying to envision the future. A few. But authors like Burroughs . . . and Otis Adelbert Klein . . . were just writing fantasy under the general category of planetary adventure. This was “fun” and frankly I like it myself. But it isn’t SF. John Carter just kind of teleported to Mars, we are never told how, and Robert Grandon did a mind transfer with someone in Venus’ remote past. Several scientists have suggested their career choice may have been influenced by planetary adventure, e.g. Carl Sagan has mentioned Burroughs. But not any specific scientific developments. The planetary adventure genre was also very influential on 2nd half 20th century authors and movie makers, finding a place in Star Trek and Star Wars, and “FTL” and “Wormholes” were invoked to get people into and out of remote environments, as from science it was by then clear there were no habitable planets in our solar system. Things like Star Trek’s “transporter” were a method to reduce production costs, not having to film numerous shuttle launches and landings. Not forecasts of the future. [this is not an image of future technology] If you find that any of these technologies have come about, you should start looking for the simulation exit.