01 xenophobia-communication-disengaged from human-regain humanity (Spielberg’s looking on brighter side);

02 citizens of the universe-adventure;

special effects-H. G. Wells and Jules Verne VS hard sci-fi-Robert Heinlein-how to do it;

go beyond realistic novels to build Utopia (Star Trek);

George Lucas‘ Star Wars-revolutionary Neo-myth-space opera not sci-fi-imagination+accumulation-space western-to think outside the box;

70s sci-fi movies of cynicism and criticism: Starship Troopers based on Robert Heinlein’s original novel-military-industrial complex in space-heroes or fascists-colonization and exploitation;

Space Art-Chesley Bonestell-space as the biggest canvas-to throw your imagination in and open your mind

Mars-The Martian-problem-solving-inspirational and practical-use science to survive;

03 monsters-fear and control-to explore the dark side of ourselves;

Crosstalk of horror and sci-fi-fuel as distinction-morals and nature;

Frankenstein’s creator or Frankenstein himself-Mary Shelly-the birth of sci-fi-science-creator or destroyer;

1910s version: F made through chemical not electricity-Edison didn’t want electricity to have any negative connotations;

1950s version: made through atomic energy;

1990s version: same as human, first test tube baby

Alien/Aliens-Ripley-the first woman slayer/survivor but not victim-potent and straightforward;

The Thing-human-like monsters-question and challenge people’s faith in who they are and ability to distinguish good and evil-beyond nature-Campbell’s Who Goes There?-shift boy’s space adventure to future exploration;

1950s B monster movies-take the place of the horror movies and spring out of WWII-radiation-e.g Godzilla-reflects the zeitgeist of the nuclear time+western guilt of bombardment-cathartic;

04 sci-fi as a metaphor of human’s darkest side-Dystopian story as a warning-intimate rage and social rage-the fear of the end of humanity-surviving as a burden-apocalyptic thinking-e.g I am Legend, Hunger Game;

The darkest thing about the science fiction of the future is the idea that you might be in the dark future already and not know it-where is the line between memory reality and dreams?

The Matrix-the sense of paranoia-see what is behind the curtain & great moments of personal choice & philosophical underpinnings ;

Dystopian movies-an individual fighting against a system that has become oppressive and corrupt;

Road Warrior/Mad Max-the Sistine Chapel of punk-change the hero-myth;

The Handmaid’s Tale-Iran Revolution + Salem Witch-hunt-a batch of variables-butterfly effect-stay aware-retain unique humanity;

Post-apocalyptic stories: The Walking Dead-zombie mythology-Romero put in social commentary-the fear of overpopulation and disease-test human nature-rebuild civilizations;

05 intelligent machines-science fiction to science reality;

Terminator-a threat or a benefit-what if a robot wants to create a better version of itself-“it’s in your nature to destroy yourselves”-people are the persistent villains that keep making these movies happen;

2001: a space odyssey-sparks people’s imagination-HAL 9000-an imperative to survive-it’s no longer a machine it’s a being;

Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot-3 laws of robotics-1. Robot may not harm a human being, 2. A robot must obey orders given by qualified personnel unless these orders violate 1, 3. A robot can defend itself except where that would violate 1 and 2.

Westworld-packed with ideas about fraught interactions with AI-where does the life begin?-robots begin to ask questions-if there is a creator, a purpose and a reason to be here-FREE WILL-the first word of consciousness is NO;

George Lucas’ Star Wars storied-R2-D2 lovable as people’s friend-C-3PO, K-2SO-bring out the best of what we are as humans;

Robots/AI‘a personhood-emotion-love-when robots pursue emotion-legal and moral question: do machines deserve rights?

The word robot derived from a Czech play Rossum’s Universal Robot-robota means laborer-an underclass;

06 time travel-embrace the potentiality of new timelines-Every second of our past makes us who we are and view it from another perspective is so human and so spiritual;

Time machine-the essential question is FREE WILL-Looper-how to get out of the dark circle-an existential dilemma;

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol & Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court-time travel-Back to the future-Tutorial about how paradoxes are things to play with-grandfather paradox;

Interstellar-personal drama-grasp physical concepts as concepts of astrophysics to do with relativity, and time dilation-twin paradox;

Time travel-Faustian tale-a new concept-HG Wells-time machine-butterfly effect-Ray Bradbury’s The Sound of Thunder;

Bill & Ted, Groundhog Day, Doctor Who-fun sci-fi;

Fatalism vs Free Will.