Past futures and technoscientific innovation: The mutual shaping of science fiction and science fact

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the relationship between science fiction and science and engineering. Building on the concept of the mutual construction of technoscience and society from the field of science and technology studies and the concept of the book in the life of the reader from the field of library and information science, the study traces the potential influence of science fiction on the career choices and research trajectories of scientists and engineers. This paper reports preliminary findings from interviews with twelve scientists and engineers at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Salient themes emerging from the interviews include science fiction as a a first exposure to science, as an escape from the mundane aspects of everyday life, and as a tool that helps scientists to frame their work. Overall, it appears that, while scientists and engineers reject the notion that science fiction has a completely deterministic impact on their career choices and research trajectories, there definitely appears to be some kind of relationship between an inclination toward the practice of science and the appeal of science fiction. Future research directions may include a broad‐scale survey and educational efforts specifically focused on information science and technology.

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