ABSTRACT
Aprominent narrative that has been regularly portrayed in books and film over the years might be termed techno-utopian. This is a world of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. If we are prepared to enthusiastically embrace these possibilities, its advocates tell us, this world will develop rapidly to everyone’s benefit. It is a path that takes us ever closer to an ideal state in which disease is defeated, food, energy and all other shortages are overcome, death is conquered, new worlds are settled and endless opportunities are created. Another view, equally well-represented in books and film, is far less positive. The eco-dystopian narrative is one of environmental collapse, over-population, and inexorable decline into chaos, sickness and war. These two narratives are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, they are often depicted as inseparable.
