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Hello my Science – Fiction fans,
...in my last lead article on this website, I hinted that I had been deeply engrossed in the biographies and interviews of science fiction authors. An interesting observation emerged from this research: the overwhelming majority of these authors—about 95 percent—are sceptical about the survival of humanity. This scepticism is clearly reflected in their works, which often sketch out dystopian future visions, in contrast to the hopeful worlds envisioned by Gene Roddenberry in "Star Trek."This pessimistic perspective seems to be deeply embedded in the DNA of science fiction. In the upcoming brief biographies, you will undoubtedly notice this trend. These dark visions appear to have shaped the development of the genre. Get ready for a journey through the often somber yet fascinating world of science fiction, which not only entertains us but also prompts us to think deeply.
Today, I’m launching my new series on www.Redhead.de: a collection of short biographies about famous and lesser-known science fiction authors. Kicking off the series is Isaac Asimov, one of the big three in science fiction literature, alongside Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein. Asimov's short biography will be available here soon.
Enjoy the read! Yours Barry Redhead (Director and Author)
Isaac Asimov: Master of Science-Fiction and Visionary of the Future
Isaac Asimov, one of the most important science fiction writers of the 20th century, has inspired millions of readers and left a lasting mark on the literary world. Known as the inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, he laid the groundwork for numerous science fiction stories and films that continue to capture the imagination today. With an impressive record of 250 non-fiction books and 250 novels and short stories, Asimov was an extremely prolific writer. He published an average of 13 books a year and left a legacy that is second to none. Along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke, he is one of the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction. Despite his literary successes, Asimov suffered from claustrophobia and anxiety, which caused him to spend most of his time indoors. This isolation, however, did not prevent him from creating epic works such as the Foundation trilogy, in which the protagonist, Hari Seldon, can predict the future.
Asimov also believed that artificial intelligence (AI) could one day develop emotions. He argued that the human brain is essentially made up of synapses and electrical signals - just like an AI, which could also have feelings. This idea is reflected in many of his stories and makes us think about the future of humans and machines. When asked about his vision of Earth in the year 2500, Asimov offered two dire predictions: either we live in a ruined world, or we no longer exist. He believed that AI and robots could replace humans as the dominant species on Earth, because humans were damaging the planet in the long run through their wars and inability to use resources sustainably. Asimov was sceptical about man's ability to preserve the Earth. He saw Homo Sapiens as probably better replaced by the next stage of evolution - artificial intelligence. This new form of evolution is already evident in our present and may determine the future.
Science fiction not only describes possible futures, it opens up a variety of possibilities. SF writers like Asimov cannot see the future, but they can successfully imagine it. Sometimes their stories become reality, and futurology becomes an important factor in our time. Science, politics, and technology change so rapidly that we humans are often left behind. At a time when the climate crisis is being downplayed by prominent deniers such as Donald Trump or the AFD, science fiction shows the urgent need for green policies that must be actively implemented. What the future holds lies in our hands and in the choices we make today. The generations of the 1950s and 1960s can only see to the edge of their plates. What comes after will be experienced by our children and grandchildren. They will look over the edge - and perhaps fall. We will not see the end, but our descendants will feel the impact.
Isaac Asimov taught us that science fiction is not just entertainment, but a tool for thinking about and actively shaping our future. His works remain a valuable contribution to literature and the human imagination. A short biography of this man will be published here soon.
Yours Barry Redhead
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