>> Typically it's "hey, there's this technology that can do X. Man, what 
>> would that mean for civilisation?"
> 
> And that's exactly what science fiction is all about. Now if it's 
> actually feasible that such a technology could be invented, then it's 
> "hard" science fiction. :-)
> 
> Anything else is space opera.

Typically the Star Trek episodes tend to end with "but we're leaving 
this planet now" or "this device is too dangerous, so we're going to 
destroy it". I guess that's one way to return to equillibrium.

That's kind of the problem with a series. Every episode has to end with 
roughly the same situation as it started, so that the next one can begin 
from the same premise. (Although occasionally you'll inherit a new 
character permanently, or a new capability or something.) Makes it kind 
of predictable.

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

Post a reply to this message