The influence of science fiction content on the world discussed at the International Symposium "Inventing the Future"
On November 5, a business breakfast titled "The Formula for Collaboration Between Scientists and Content Producers" took place, gathering science fiction writers, publishers, producers, and filmmakers from Russia, Serbia, China, and Italy. Experts discussed how modern fantasy differs from science fiction and what challenges society places on these genres. The event was organized in cooperation with the ANO "Dialogue Regions" and the New Media Workshop.
Alexei Goreslavsky, General Director of the ANO "Internet Development Institute", noted that science fiction is an opportunity to envision the unimaginable.
"Just as a sculptor looks at a block of marble or granite and sees a sculpture within, science fiction writers construct future worlds. Then an engineer or specialist steps in and says, 'Why not try making this a reality?' Thinking and dreaming are incredibly important, especially for children and teenagers. If, at this moment, you introduce the right film, book, series, or game, you can create something truly inspiring," said Alexei Goreslavsky.
Discussion participants voiced concerns that the way information is presented is becoming more important than the content itself. Russian writer Vadim Panov noted that only content grounded in authentic detail can ignite genuine interest, which is crucial for the younger generation. This generation it the one that is particularly drawn to science fiction, that is why presenting scientific information through relatable role models is essential.
Italian science fiction writer Roberto Quaglia commented that a barrier to science fiction's progress today is the lack of knowledge.
"We might invent something, but there could already be something better out there that we’re unaware of," he said.
Serbian science fiction writer Goran Skrobonja expanded on this idea, suggesting the creation of an international scientific information platform that would present cutting-edge scientific advancements objectively and accurately. This would serve as an additional platform for the development of science fiction.
Experts also exchanged views on the importance of fostering communication between scientists, writers, futurists, and scriptwriters and even proposed the idea of training futurists in universities, as science fiction is a model for future societies.
The topic continued at the roundtable discussion "Science Fiction as a Development Driver. Creating New Fantastic Worlds and Universes (Including Video Games)." Speakers examined the phenomenon of the genre’s development in the Soviet era, China’s unique approach to fantasy, collaborative areas for future growth, and what the future should look like.
Historian, futurist, and geopolitician Sergei Pereslegin stressed the necessity of science fiction for innovation. As the history shows, most science fiction authors have created artificial environments in which they solved fictional problems, yet demonstrated that the solution actually existed. Science fiction models reveal profound truths about our world, he emphasized.
"True predictions are often things you don’t even recognize as forecasts. Lem wrote "Solaris" in 1964, but it wasn’t until 2020 that we realized he had envisioned the thinking of the future. If something in a book seems utterly impossible, absurd, or strange, you’ve likely captured a tiny piece of a forecast," noted Sergei Pereslegin.
Albert Yefimov, Vice President and Head of the Research and Innovation Department at Sberbank PJSC, shared his belief that science fiction allows scientists to set aside the crutches of empiricism and openly say, "Here’s what I believe, even if I can’t prove it. " According to him, science fiction also helps us overcome our fear of the future.
"All of us fear it, yet it’s approaching us all. We try on these generative models from books, from someone else’s imagination. Science fiction leaves us with a desire to experiment," he emphasized.
His words were echoed by James Law, Futurist Architect and CEO of CYBERTECTURE, who noted that his team creates scenes and worlds, writing a new chapter in science fiction about the world.
"This can be even more exciting than writing books. Each of our new buildings is different from the last, as if we’re using new technologies to create a new world. Architects like myself want these structures to become reality," he stressed.
The experts agreed that the world awaiting us — the one depicted by today’s science fiction writers — will be incredibly fascinating. It will be very complex, and for people to thrive in it, they will need to re-learn how to be complex as well. That world will be built on thinking, just as today’s world is built on information.
The roundtable moderator was Andrei Timonov, Acting Director of the Communications Department at the Rosatom State Corporation.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held from November 4 to 6. Participants include scientists, researchers, futurists, science fiction writers, and representatives from government bodies from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. The program features over 60 sessions across four tracks: "Future of Human," "Future of Technology," "Future of Multipolar World," and "Future of Civilizations." The program and event broadcasts are available at the website future.russia.ru.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is the first event of the National Centre RUSSIA, which was established on July 1, 2024, by the order of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Centre aims to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens. The work of the Centre involves federal authorities, state companies, corporations, and regions.
