Advanced technology

Definition

Advanced technology refers to innovative tools, systems, and methodologies that significantly enhance capabilities, efficiency, and functionality in various fields. In the context of world-building within science fiction and fantasy, it often includes futuristic inventions, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other elements that push the boundaries of current understanding and application of technology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Advanced technology can serve as a catalyst for conflict or cooperation in narratives, shaping character interactions and societal dynamics.
2. In science fiction, advanced technology often reflects current societal issues or fears, such as surveillance, privacy, or environmental concerns.
3. World-building with advanced technology requires careful consideration of its implications on social structures, economies, and cultural norms.
4. Authors often create fictional technologies that are rooted in real science to maintain plausibility while sparking imagination.
5. Advanced technology can create a sense of wonder and exploration in stories but also raise ethical questions about its use and impact on humanity.

Review Questions

• How does advanced technology influence character development and relationships in science fiction narratives?
  • Advanced technology shapes character development by providing tools or abilities that characters can use to overcome challenges or enhance their skills. It often introduces moral dilemmas and conflicts between characters with different views on technology's role in society. For example, a character may struggle with the ethical implications of using AI to gain an advantage over others, leading to deeper character arcs based on personal choices regarding technology.
• Discuss how advanced technology impacts world-building in a science fiction story. What elements should writers consider?
  • Writers must consider how advanced technology alters everyday life, economy, and culture within their fictional worlds. This includes the availability of resources, societal norms shaped by technological advancements, and the potential for both utopian and dystopian outcomes. For instance, if a society has access to teleportation technology, it would radically change transportation methods, urban planning, and even social interactions. Ensuring that these elements are coherent will help create a believable and immersive world.
• Evaluate the role of advanced technology as a narrative device in science fiction. How can it drive themes and messages within a story?
  • Advanced technology serves as a powerful narrative device by reflecting contemporary societal issues through a speculative lens. By embedding advanced tech within plots, authors can explore themes like ethical boundaries of innovation, the human condition in an increasingly automated world, or the consequences of technological reliance. For example, a story might portray a future where AI governs society but raises questions about autonomy and freedom. This connection enables readers to relate more deeply to themes while contemplating their implications for today's world.

Related terms

Futurism: A movement focused on the ideas and aesthetics of the future, often exploring how advanced technology shapes society and human experience.

Cybernetics: The interdisciplinary study of systems, control, and communication in animals and machines, often influencing the development of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Transhumanism: A philosophical movement advocating for the enhancement of the human condition through advanced technologies, including genetic engineering and artificial intelligence.