TED İZMİR COLLEGE / 10-A
Innovation Through the Lens of Literature
Nil ÇARDAK
112
Literature has served as a vanguard for innovative ideas and social shifts. Countless authors have expressed their futuristic ideas, sparking conversations about technology, ethics, dictatorships, the economy, etc. Iconic pieces throughout history, such as Mary Shelley’ s Frankenstein, are prime examples of how literature critiques the impact of innovation.
Frankenstein( 1818), one of the first science fiction novels, demonstrates themes of artificial creation and the ethical responsibilities that come with it. Similarly, 1984 by Orwell predicts a rise of surveillance and dictatorship, serving as a cautionary tale on how technology can be weaponized.
Another more recent example is Kazuo Ishiguro’ s Klara and Sun( 2021), which examines AI through Klara, a human-like robot designed to fulfill humans’ need for companionship. He reflects on advancements in AI and what it might evolve into in the future. He also questions what it means to love and be human. By doing so, he bridges the gap between technological innovation and human emotion.
Margaret Atwood is another outstanding author who takes a futuristic approach. In her works, such as Oryx and Crake( 2003) and The Year of the Flood( 2009), she mentions biotechnological advances in a post-apocalyptic world and introduces genetically engineered creatures. These aspects highlight both the promises and threats of science and technology.
There are countless other examples, a few of them being Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, A Space Odyssey, and The Time Machine. These prove how deeply engraved literature and innovation are. By presenting futuristic scenarios and ethical dilemmas, they not only mirror the spirit of innovation but also act as a cautionary guideline for what can come in the future.