The Public's Perception Of Science Fiction

The science fiction cinematic experience has evolved to the point that it is almost impossible to distinguish reality from fiction. In part, this is due to the recent advances in film production technology. Also, the culture of filmmaking contributes to this realism since there is much effort made to depict science as accurately as possible in order to raise the level of credibility and hence, the recognition and acceptance from the audience. Finally, these factors contribute to the film’s success. Consequently, science-fiction movies or television series that are successful in popular culture will influence and bias the public’s perception of science.

In order for science-fiction to be successful, it must appear to be credible and based on

In addition, scientist have shown a particular interest in the depiction of science in science-fiction and how it promotes their ideas and research. Consequently, scientists believe that this provides an “opportunity to counteract the overall negative portrayal of science” (Kirby 264), such as the mad scientists, “the absent minded professor” (Kirby 275) , or exaggeratedly dangerous science, by the general public. Furthermore, as stated by Kirby, it has become routine for scientists to become involved in the filmmaking process, as technical consultants. H. Kahn argues that modern science fiction films feature concepts and physical principles that are true to real science and great effort is made in accurately replicating the environments in which scientists work, such as the excavation sites and the genetic labs in Jurassic Park, to further emphasize the authenticity of the science that is being presented. Finally, the language and jargon that are used by the actors is also what one would expect to find in scientific literature. The older generation of science fiction had placed less emphasis on realism of science depicted which, according to Kirby, lead to the

However, by most accounts scientists feel that their inputs were well received, there are many examples where the directors chose to include inacurate science in order to maximise the appeal to the audience. In these cases, the filmmakers attempted to appeal to biases and ideas that already exist in the public’s view (Kirby 263). In some cases, the general public has preconceived biases regarding scientific phenomenons, and film producers tend to exploit these in exaggerated depictions of the science. Indeed, as mentioned by H. Kahn, an Italian, Luigi Galvani, an Italian physician discovered, in the early 1800’s, that electric currents applied to a dead frog’s leg caused it to twitch (animal electricity). Today this concept is known as Galvanism. According to Kolm, this gives the creepy impression, to the average person, that dead matter can be reanimated . This notion inspired Mary Shelley, the original creator of the Frankenstein story, one of the most popular characters of science fiction. In fact, this idea first came to her during a bad dream that she experienced after first hearing of Galvanism,