Okay, I admit it, I love Science Fiction. I'm more of a Star Wars fan than a Star Trek fan, but we Sci-Fi geeks tend to find one another. So, I knew a fellow who strongly believed that Science Fiction (and Star Trek in particular) helped push technology forward by inspiring scientists to greater and greater things. For instance, he argued that flip phones first appeared on Star Trek (below is a clip if you're not sure what I'm referring to).
However, my friend only pointed out one of three requirements for human action (click here to see the original text). For a human to be moved to action there must be (in no particular order):
- Uneasiness;
- A vision of a better state; and
- The belief that one's behavior can lead to a better state.
I know I've personally been inspired by Sci-Fi, but have seriously lacked the capability to believe that my behavior could lead to a better state. Yet, I wonder what role Sci-Fi, and dreaming of bigger and better things, plays in advancing technology. What do you think? Does Sci-Fi and storying telling help drive human action? If so, can managers harness this power to inspire employees?
At about the 55 second mark, Kirk pulls out his flip communicator:
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