Visionary Fiction Challenges Our Species to Evolve – Michael Sussman
Human nature is not fixed. It has evolved over the course of millennia and is capable of further change. Is it overly grandiose to suggest that visionary fiction could help play a role in such a transformation?
Most likely, but I shall nevertheless make the case.
Visionary fiction overlaps with several better established genres, such as science fiction, fantasy, speculative, and inspirational fiction. What’s unique about visionary fiction is its focus on the expansion and evolution of the human mind, imagining new frontiers for the human spirit.
What’s the importance of visionary fiction in today’s world?
There is no denying that we live in an era of unprecedented change and extraordinary uncertainty about the future. It’s the Age of Crises. Population explosion, pollution, natural disasters, climate change, economic recession, scarcity of resources, terrorism, and ethnic wars all threaten to disrupt or end civilization as we know it.
Perhaps science and technology can help solve some of these dilemmas. But even the most astonishing technological breakthroughs will not save us if they are not accompanied by a transformation in how we think, act, and relate to each other.
Just as science fiction provided the inspiration for many technological advances, it’s conceivable that visionary fiction could help provide the inspiration for a new awakening of the human spirit.
For it is now evident that it’s the shortsighted, self-centered, greedy, and xenophobic aspects of human nature that have created our predicament. Only by evolving into a wiser, more generous, compassionate, and cooperative species can we hope to survive.
My novel, Crashing Eden, envisions a world in which humans are transformed by regaining the capacity to hear the primordial vibration of the universe, reestablishing Edenic consciousness. This may be pure fantasy, but unless we can manage to overcome our differences and think on a planetary scale, our future may well be bleak.
Well said, Michael! I liked your comparison of VF impacting inspiration for evolving consciousness being similar to sci-fiction having inspired technology.
~Jodine Turner
Hi Michael. Being a fellow visionary fiction writer, I like the idea that VF can help "provide the inspiration for a new awakening of the human spirit." Your book, Crashing Eden, sounds like an inspiring read. I will put it on my reading list.
Great parallel, Michael. Jodine took the words right out of my mouth. I also see VF as one possible stepping stone towards another golden age.
Love and light,
Eleni
Great article Michael. I totally agree that visionary fiction could help provide the inspiration for a new awakening of the human spirit. In my visionary novels the nine main characters have an opportunity to discover who they really are: through a genetic decoding card game. The reader will feel a synchronicity with any of the nine characters, because they recognize the roles they play themselves. The plot throughout my 4 novels will help to awaken within each reader the awesome knowing that they too are trapped into a virtual reality show of their own making.
I will also add your book to my reading list.
Well said, Michael. The Spirit human can't help but expand into its universal potential,and I'm proud to be part of a group that writes to inspire that blossoming.
Great fiction will always make a difference so you having a winning vision.
Great article, Michael. I especially liked how you liken VF's potential for 'inspiration for a new awakening of the human spirit' to sci-fi's influence on real tech.
Hi Michael!
One of my favourite sayings is "The Universe is in constant flow." Since we direct that flow with our thoughts and frequency, can you imagine what we are presently creating for ourselves on this planet by what we read and watch on TV? And just imagine if millions of people read Visionary Fiction books? Now, that's the probability I'd like to align myself with!
Thanks so much for these warm, thoughtful comments. I'm excited about the VFA's potential to inspire readers and writers throughout the world.