Science fiction and science fact are opposites. We know that already,
but people in the 1930's did not exactly know how to differentiate. People
who were listening to “War of the Worlds” had to be confusing science fact with
science fiction. The radio announcer talked about the observatory and the
astronomer that was viewing mars. Then her started to describe the aliens heat
rays and the material their “space craft” was made out of. He described how the
metal was not human made because it came through the atmosphere and would have
been torn apart. This is an example of using science-based ideas and
exaggerating them to create science fiction. Also, the people of the 1930’s were
listening to the radio, not watching this on television or watching a movie.
The radio created a real life feeling so many people believed that this was
really happening. Those people who were familiar with science fiction knew that
this was supposed to be entertainment for the listening population. Everyone
else used science fact to understand what was going on. The confusion between
science fact and fiction can create major problems and chaos.
I think it isn't just the failure to understand the difference between the Science Fact and Science Fiction but also the idea that one can easily become the other and vice versa. Plus the popular ideas that circulate in society have a way of taking root and finding purchase and given direction like the radio show, can easily get the best of normally calm people.
ReplyDeleteYes it seemed like the people who were fooled into thinking the radio broadcast was real, had an issue of jumping the gun, which was something that was mentioned in class today. I think there's something about us that wants to believe in the sensational, even when it seems far fetched.
ReplyDeleteI think that your point about the radio being critical to this is very accurate. The radio allowed each person to fill in the details that weren't provided, thus giving it a more "realistic" feel. I agree with what Marquis said about people wanting to believe sensational things. It just seems more exciting to get caught up in something so crazy.
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