From a galaxy far, far away…

Technically I’m not from a galaxy far, far away. However, it has inspired me to think differently from creating beautiful and usable interfaces to making the impossible possible.

“And thus I explain in a new way, the world unknown to you.” (BBC, 1972). I didn’t understand at the time it that science fiction was to become my science possible.

Using 3D printing and engineering to create Takeaway TV, a contactless solution to ‘grab’ the content showing at that time (Barclays Eagle Labs, 2017)

I never planned to work in innovation, 3D printing, user experience (UX) or information architecture (IA). To me, after leaving school, this was all still science fiction.

Space, exploration, technology, engineering and robotics kept science communication firmly on my radar.

Even during my lifetime, the pace of technological and its impact on society is changing so fast. Particularly compared with a few centuries ago. We’ve developed an entire branch of storytelling to imagine the impossible. It’s called science fiction and — whether you like its forms or not — it has already changed your life (Frank, 2018).

Voyage dans la Lune, Le / A Trip to the Moon, became the screen’s first science fiction story in 1902. Created by imaginative French director and master magician Georges Méliès. The silent film’s plot criticises the conservative scientific community of its time (Filmsite.org, n.d.).

(A Trip to the Moon (HQ 720p Full) — Viaje a la Luna — Le Voyage dans la lune — Georges Méliès 1902, 2012)

It wasn’t until July 20, 1969, that this first science fiction film became a reality with Apollo 11. Ironically, not long after Star Trek aired its last original episode on June 3, 1969 (wikipedia.org, n.d.).

Science communication and science fiction became popular culture, once a geek-fest of basement dwelling Dungeon and Dragon dice tossing Hobbits, science was cool and directed to nonspecialist audiences (Perrault, 2013). In fact, it was now okay to talk phasers, quantum light propulsion and robots.

So much, so that science fiction has become the breeding ground for scientific innovation. However, science fiction also began to question scientific developments.

Examples of how Star Trek has influenced scientific development:

William Shatner presents a light-hearted look at how the “Star Trek” TV series have influenced and inspired today’s technologies, including cell phones, medical imaging, computers and software (aksinit, 2012).

Science is an interactive part of civil society, the CUSP model of science communication (Perrault, 2013).

The CUSP model of science communication acknowledges expertise as broad, rather than solely from the scientist, that all can contribute and have an influence on the outcome (Perrault, 2013). Science appreciation and criticism could have a voice in culture.

Darker science fiction storytelling began to filter into cinema theatres with the release of films like Alien (1979), Mad Max (1979) and Blade Runner (1982) all, very differently, questioned the role of science in the downfall of humanity.

The balance between the ideology that science is always accurate and is the authority. Between that of the sceptic, questioning and critiquing science theories and facts. I do want to see tractor beams, molecular transporters and R2D2 rolling down the street. However, the ethics and security we place behind these scientific developments are what define us as human.

As I continue my enthusiastic journey in a galaxy, far, far away, I continue to reflect and place humanity and the heart of everything I do.

The BAFTA award-winning BBC series with John Berger, which rapidly became regarded as one of the most influential art programmes ever made (BBC, 1972).

References

Barclays Eagle Labs (2017). Takeaway TV in collaboration with activDS. [video] Available at: https://labs.uk.barclays/community/takeawaytv-activds [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

aksinit (2012). How Shatner Changed the World. [video] Available at: https://youtu.be/ZjlF_iSo1Og [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

BBC (1972). John Berger / Ways of Seeing , Episode 1 (1972). [video] Available at: https://youtu.be/0pDE4VX_9Kk [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

Frank, A. (2018). Star ‘Treknology’: Imagining The Future Into Being. [online] NPR.org. Available at: https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2018/01/06/576249787/star-treknology-imagining-the-future-into-being?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

Filmsite.org. (n.d.). Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip to the Moon) (1902). [online] Available at: http://www.filmsite.org/voya.html [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

wikipedia.org. (n.d.). Star Trek. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].

Perrault, S. (2013). Communicating Popular Science From Deficit to Democracy. 1st ed. [ebook] University of California, Davis, USA: Palgrave Macmillan, pp.7–36. Available at: https://link-springer-com.salford.idm.oclc.org/content/pdf/10.1057%2F9781137017581.pdf [Accessed 9 Jan. 2018].