Positive future sci-fi movies and TV

[RavenSky]

How do we convince writers to see past fearful cowering regarding the future? (For that matter, how do we get anyone to do that?)

Step 1: Convince major film studios to choose science fiction scripts based on contemplative value instead of mass-market appeal.
Step 2: LOL there's no chance you completed Step 1.

Yes, I

 

[spikepipsqueak]

I just finished reading The Girl with all the Gifts. The film is on the way to me, but I haven't seen it yet.

That has a positive ending, if you're not fussy about who it's positive for.

 

[Angry Floof]

Because such a society isn't going to be a very interesting place for a story.

Star Trek has been interesting since the 60s.

Well, in all fairness, the people of Earth had solved all their problems, but the rest of the galaxy still needs us Hoomans to fly up on their systems and give them the what-for on the higher moral standard.

Well, my issue with it has to do with what we humans tell ourselves about our humanness, not about what any other species turns out to be like. How will we treat that species if we're still sitting here stewing in fear and ignorance and bias? Will we have gotten past our self-ignorance enough to have the wherewithal to defend against unexpected alien behaviors? Will we just remain stuck in this infantile, black-and-white mythology of us vs. them, good vs. evil, drumming up enemies and wars indefinitely?

 

[Malintent]

Well, in all fairness, the people of Earth had solved all their problems, but the rest of the galaxy still needs us Hoomans to fly up on their systems and give them the what-for on the higher moral standard.

Well, my issue with it has to do with what we humans tell ourselves about our humanness, not about what any other species turns out to be like. How will we treat that species if we're still sitting here stewing in fear and ignorance and bias? Will we have gotten past our self-ignorance enough to have the wherewithal to defend against unexpected alien behaviors? Will we just remain stuck in this infantile, black-and-white mythology of us vs. them, good vs. evil, drumming up enemies and wars indefinitely?

I'd like to think not. To continue the Star Trek "philosophy"... the cause of the end of human tribalism was twofold... firstly, the discovery of warp drive introduced us to a galactic community that changed our perspective... hinting at a loss of religiously self-centered thought.
Secondly, the invention of the replicator caused a mass distribution of resources. "Having things", like food, water, and everything else because trivial. Economic systems went extinct. The purpose of being was not to accumulate things or power to get things, but instead to enrich oneself in knowledge and share capabilities and ideas.

 

[bilby]

Well, in all fairness, the people of Earth had solved all their problems, but the rest of the galaxy still needs us Hoomans to fly up on their systems and give them the what-for on the higher moral standard.

Well, my issue with it has to do with what we humans tell ourselves about our humanness, not about what any other species turns out to be like. How will we treat that species if we're still sitting here stewing in fear and ignorance and bias? Will we have gotten past our self-ignorance enough to have the wherewithal to defend against unexpected alien behaviors? Will we just remain stuck in this infantile, black-and-white mythology of us vs. them, good vs. evil, drumming up enemies and wars indefinitely?

I'd like to think not. To continue the Star Trek "philosophy"... the cause of the end of human tribalism was twofold... firstly, the discovery of warp drive introduced us to a galactic community that changed our perspective... hinting at a loss of religiously self-centered thought.
Secondly, the invention of the replicator caused a mass distribution of resources. "Having things", like food, water, and everything else because trivial. Economic systems went extinct. The purpose of being was not to accumulate things or power to get things, but instead to enrich oneself in knowledge and share capabilities and ideas.

A replicator wouldn't mean an end to scarcity, nor to economics. Even assuming that there's nobody able to corner the market in replicators, there would still be scarcity in real estate. People would fight over (or spend vast amounts of money on) the best sites on which to replicate their mansions.

Even if a replicator can make me a house, it can't make me a house in Vaucluse, or Kensington, or Manhattan. Those places are already occupied, and if you want to live there, you have to buy your way in.

Society wouldn't become more egalitarian; likely it would revert to the medieval dichotomy of a landowning aristocracy, and landless peasants who are beholden to them (albeit well fed, and supplied with all their needs other than land on which to live).

 

[Opoponax]

Cormac McCarthy's, 'The Road'

I tried to read that. Failed miserably.

So it is with almost all of his stuff. Literature professors love him, students pretend to love him; those who get distance can finally say, "You know what? Cormac McCarthy kinda sucks."

 

[Underseer]

How do we convince writers to see past fearful cowering regarding the future? (For that matter, how do we get anyone to do that?)

Step 1: Convince major film studios to choose science fiction scripts based on contemplative value instead of mass-market appeal.
Step 2: LOL there's no chance you completed Step 1.

Yes, I

It used to be that Ghost in the Shell was reliably contemplative. If you read between the lines, they pack more ideas into a half hour show than Star Trek ever managed in an hour.

But.

Ugh.

The latest anime incarnation of Ghost in the Shell seems to have abandoned contemplation for Star Wars-style fast 'n dumb shit. It's as depressing as an asshole with tastebuds. And don't even talk to me about the live action Western movie.