Sci Fi and Sociology

Brandie used a Stargate Atlantis episode as a subject for exploring a sociological perspective. I think that science fiction is a great resource for exploring and explaining sociological theory.

For example, Ray Bradbury in his Martian Chronicles explores some of the possible challenges that humans may face when we finally set foot on Mars. In Bradbury’s universe, Mars is inhabited by Martians, naturally. After a successful landing on Mars, the astronauts from one mission encounter the Martians who promptly lock them away in a hosptial for those with mental disorders. Bradbury’s Martians are capable of telepathic abilities, naturally. Martians that have mental disorders are not able to control their telepathic abilities and often manifest false illusions to other Martians. The Martians thought that the astronauts were Martians with a mental disorder who were casting themselves as aliens

Let’s see if I can explain things using sociologica theory. The astronauts were committed to an asylum because the dominant value system in Martian society does not accept the possibility of aliens and therefore seeks to explain the appearance of aliens within the dominant paradigm. In other words, aliens do not exist and there must be another explanation, namely, the astronauts are Martians with mental disorders who are trying to project the illusion that they are humans. But clearly the dominant paradigm is flawed because those who they locked away were genuine astronauts from Earth.

So I say, bring on the science fiction and the sociological perspective. Science fiction is often a social commentary that warrants closer examination.