Science Fiction

What do geostationary satellites, RADAR, 3-D printing, space tourism, tablet computers, and the TASER have in common? Each of these world-changing technologies were all dreamed up in science fiction long before they made their debut in reality.

My favorite example is the coffin hotels that were littered throughout futuristic Chiba City, Japan in William Gibson’s Neuromancer. These economy hotels, which were thought up over thirty years ago, are now part of everyday life. I still remember the first time I read about coffins, they really made future-earth seem… crowded.

Science fiction authors not only imagine the future of technology, they also think deeply about the implications that technology will have on individuals and society at large. After all, what would a world look like where you can predict crimes before they happen? Would this reality really make the world a safer place for everyone?

As technology continues to become cheaper and more widely adopted, I think we will continue to see more and more products come to life from the dreams of science fiction writers.

Paul Graham says “Live in the future, then build what’s missing.” That’s great advice for anyone looking to build the world’s next great idea. Science fiction can help us leave the present and focus our minds on the future.