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Jules Verne: Dreaming Up Submarines and Moon Landings
Jules Verne had a wild imagination that, shockingly, turned out to be closer to reality than anyone could have guessed in the 1800s. In “From the Earth to the Moon,” he wrote about a crewed capsule being shot to the moon, something that seemed as far-fetched as time travel back then. Fast forward to 1969, and NASA did just that—sending Apollo astronauts to the moon in a module that, by eerie coincidence, launched from Florida like Verne described. In “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas,” Verne’s Nautilus submarine sails the depths with electric power and advanced technology, predating real nuclear submarines by nearly a century. His stories even inspired real-life inventors like Simon Lake and John Holland, both credited with developing practical submarines. The accuracy of his predictions still baffles scientists today. Verne didn’t just write adventure novels; he sparked the imaginations of engineers who would later turn fiction into reality.
H.G. Wells: The Prophet of Atomic Age and Genetic Engineering
H.G. Wells, known for his gripping narratives, almost seemed to have a crystal ball when describing future technology. In “The World Set Free” (1914), he not only imagined atomic bombs—he actually coined the phrase decades before the Manhattan Project. The chilling accuracy of this prediction haunted readers after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. In “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” Wells envisioned genetic modification and bioengineering through the twisted experiments of a mad scientist, long before DNA had even been discovered. Modern debates on gene editing, like CRISPR, echo the ethical quandaries Wells described. His stories about aerial warfare eerily foreshadowed the age of airplanes and drone strikes. Even today, scientists and ethicists reference Wells’ works when discussing the moral boundaries of science.
George Orwell: Big Brother and the Age of Surveillance
George Orwell’s “1984” painted a world dominated by surveillance, propaganda, and the erasure of personal freedom—a vision that grows more unsettling as technology advances. Today, CCTV cameras dot every city corner, and mass data collection by governments and corporations has become routine. Social media platforms track our interests, habits, and even private conversations, mirroring the omnipresent “Big Brother.” The phrase “Orwellian” has entered the lexicon to describe any attempt at thought control or mass surveillance. Whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have pointed directly to Orwell’s predictions in their warnings about government overreach. The world has not become a copy of “1984”—but the similarities are hard to ignore.
Aldous Huxley: The World of Mood-Altering Drugs and Test-Tube Babies
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” offered a chilling glimpse into a society obsessed with pleasure, consumerism, and scientific control over life itself. He imagined mood-altering drugs that keep citizens content—today, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide. Huxley also described the concept of “test-tube babies” decades before the first successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 1978. The book’s depiction of a society numbing itself with endless entertainment is eerily similar to modern binge-watching and social media scrolling. Huxley’s warnings about trading genuine human connection for convenience and pleasure have never felt more relevant. Debates about the impact of technology on human values continue to circle back to his vision.
Ray Bradbury: When Entertainment and Censorship Collide
Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” predicted a world where massive flat-screen televisions line living room walls, and people listen to music through “seashell” earbuds—a reality for anyone with a smartphone and a pair of wireless headphones. Bradbury’s society is addicted to mindless entertainment, and books are banned to prevent dissent. Today, debates over digital addiction, misinformation, and the banning of books in schools echo Bradbury’s fears. His work anticipated authoritarian censorship and the dangers of a society that stops questioning and simply consumes. With the rise of streaming platforms and endless content, Bradbury’s warning feels less like science fiction and more like a mirror.
Arthur C. Clarke: Satellites, AI, and the Birth of the Internet
Arthur C. Clarke’s predictions about technology were so spot-on, he’s often mistaken for a true futurist rather than a science fiction writer. In 1945, Clarke proposed the concept of geostationary satellites—years before the first satellite was launched. Today, there are more than 5,500 satellites orbiting Earth, facilitating everything from GPS to global internet access. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” introduced readers to HAL 9000, an AI with unsettling autonomy, foreshadowing today’s debates about artificial intelligence and automation. Clarke’s writing inspired inventors and researchers, including the team at NASA that made the moon landings possible. His influence on the internet’s creation and the ethical questions around AI remains profound.
Philip K. Dick: Virtual Reality and the Age of Corporate Surveillance
Philip K. Dick’s dystopian stories like “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and “Ubik” explore blurred boundaries between reality and simulation. Today, virtual reality (VR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) apps offer experiences that make Dick’s visions feel almost quaint. His novels also warned about corporate surveillance long before tech giants like Google and Facebook began tracking user behavior for profit. Dick’s work anticipated crises of identity in a world where technology can alter perception and memory. The ethical questions raised by his stories—about privacy, authenticity, and the dangers of unchecked corporate power—are more urgent than ever in the era of AI and immersive tech.
William Gibson: Inventing Cyberspace and the Hacker Ethos
William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” not only coined the term “cyberspace,” but also created the blueprint for the digital landscapes we now inhabit daily. Written in 1984, the novel imagined computer hackers jacking into virtual realities and battling corporate overlords—a scenario that feels ripped from headlines about cyber warfare and data breaches. Gibson’s work predicted the rise of internet culture, where real and virtual lives intertwine. The term “matrix,” now widely used to describe computer networks, originated with Gibson. His vision influenced generations of programmers, hackers, and thinkers, and is often credited with inspiring the development of virtual worlds and even the World Wide Web itself.
Isaac Asimov: Robotics and the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” introduced the Three Laws of Robotics, a framework that’s still referenced by AI researchers and ethicists today. Asimov’s stories explored the complex relationships between humans and machines, anticipating the dilemmas of self-driving cars, service robots, and autonomous weapons. The rapid rise of AI—now used in everything from healthcare to finance—has made Asimov’s questions more pressing. Governments and tech companies debate the moral guidelines for AI, often referencing Asimov’s work. His fiction became a touchstone for discussing how to ensure technology serves humanity rather than endangers it.
Mary Shelley: Bioengineering and the Birth of Artificial Life
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is often called the first true science fiction novel, and for good reason. In 1818, she imagined a scientist creating life from dead tissue—a concept that predated modern genetics by more than a century. Today, scientists can edit genes, clone animals, and even grow organs in labs, raising ethical questions Shelley grappled with in her novel. The creation of artificial life, and the responsibilities that come with it, is a topic that’s more relevant than ever. Shelley’s work is frequently cited in debates about gene editing, synthetic biology, and the boundaries of scientific exploration.
Jonathan Swift: Satellites and the Floating Island of Laputa
Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels,” published in 1726, contains a remarkable vision of the floating island of Laputa, which hovers above the ground using advanced astronomical knowledge. The mechanics Swift described bear a striking resemblance to the way satellites orbit the Earth today. Astronomers have marveled at Swift’s accurate depiction of orbital mechanics, especially since satellites would not exist for another two centuries. Swift’s blend of satire and science revealed a deep curiosity about the universe—a curiosity that would inspire generations of scientists and storytellers alike.
Mark Twain: Imagining the Internet in the 19th Century
Mark Twain’s quirky tale “From the London Times of 1904,” written in 1898, describes a networked device called the “telelectroscope” that lets people see events around the world in real time. This is uncannily similar to the modern internet, where news and live video can be accessed instantly from almost anywhere. Twain’s vision predated the actual invention of television by decades, and the internet by nearly a century. His story captured the idea of a connected world long before it became reality. In an age when information was slow and scarce, Twain’s prediction was nothing short of astonishing.
E.M. Forster: Predicting Online Life and Social Isolation
E.M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops,” written in 1909, imagined a world where people live isolated in underground rooms, communicating only through screens. This vision mirrors today’s remote work, online learning, and the sometimes lonely reality of social media. Forster predicted a society dependent on technology for every basic human need, with real-world interaction becoming rare. The story’s warnings about losing touch with authentic human connection feel especially relevant in a world changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forster’s tale is often cited in discussions about technology’s impact on mental health and society.
Edward Bellamy: The Rise of Credit Cards and Digital Money
Edward Bellamy’s “Looking Backward: 2000–1887,” published in 1888, described a system where citizens use a card to access their banked “credit” for purchases. This eerily resembles today’s universal credit cards and digital payment systems. In 2025, cashless transactions are becoming the norm, with digital wallets and tap-to-pay everywhere. Bellamy’s prediction about the future of money was so prescient that some credit card pioneers referenced his book when discussing their inventions. The move toward a cashless society continues to reflect Bellamy’s influence on economic thinking and technology.
Robert A. Heinlein: Waterbeds, Remote Work, and Military Exosuits
Robert A. Heinlein’s novels, including “Stranger in a Strange Land” and “Starship Troopers,” introduced concepts like waterbeds and powered exoskeletons for soldiers—both of which now exist. Waterbeds became a real product in the late 1960s, thanks in part to Heinlein’s descriptions. Military exosuits, once science fiction, are now in development for use by soldiers and rescue workers. Heinlein also imagined remote work long before the internet made it possible, with characters working from home via advanced communication devices. His influence on technology and work culture is still discussed by innovators and historians today.
Frederik Pohl & C.M. Kornbluth: Corporate Power and Targeted Advertising
In “The Space Merchants,” Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth imagined a world where corporations dominate society and consumers are targeted with personalized ads. Today, tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon use data profiling to deliver tailored advertising to billions of people. Their novel predicted the emergence of “surveillance capitalism”—a term now used to describe the commodification of personal information. The accuracy of their prediction has led researchers to revisit their work in light of growing concerns over privacy, data ownership, and the influence of corporate interests in everyday life.
Douglas Adams: Smartphones and Instant Translation
Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” gave us the fictional Guide—an electronic book capable of providing instant information on anything, anywhere. This device is strikingly similar to the modern smartphone, which millions now rely on for answers, directions, and entertainment. Adams also invented the Babel Fish, a creature that translates any language in real time—just like Google Translate and similar apps do today. Adams’ playful take on technology’s possibilities anticipated the convenience and absurdity of today’s interconnected world, making his work as relevant as ever.
Neal Stephenson: Metaverse and Cryptocurrency Before Their Time
Neal Stephenson’s “Snow Crash” (1992) introduced the term “Metaverse” to describe a shared virtual reality space, inspiring real-world projects like Facebook’s rebranding as Meta. Stephenson also explored early concepts of digital currency and blockchain in “Cryptonomicon,” decades before Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies became mainstream. Today, billions are invested in building virtual worlds and decentralized finance systems—realities Stephenson only imagined. His influence is acknowledged by tech industry leaders and blockchain pioneers, who credit his books with shaping their vision of the digital future.
Margaret Atwood: Reproductive Rights and Environmental Catastrophe
Margaret Atwood’s novels, especially “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Oryx and Crake,” delve into themes of reproductive control, women’s rights, and ecological disaster. In a world where debates about abortion, fertility, and climate change are front-page news, Atwood’s work feels painfully prophetic. Her depiction of a society where women’s bodies are strictly regulated has become a rallying point for activists worldwide. Atwood’s environmental warnings also echo in current discussions about genetic engineering and biotechnology. Her stories continue to shape conversations about the ethical and political challenges facing our planet.
Stanisław Lem: Artificial Intelligence and the Dangers of Virtual Worlds
Stanisław Lem’s works, such as “Solaris” and “Summa Technologiae,” explored the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence, virtual environments, and technological dystopia. Lem imagined self-aware machines and worlds so immersive that reality and simulation become indistinguishable. Today’s advances in AI and VR bring Lem’s visions closer to reality, prompting new debates about consciousness, ethics, and the limits of human understanding. His influence can be seen in academic research on AI safety, as well as in popular culture’s ongoing fascination with the possibilities—and dangers—of technology.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
