Most of space is unexplored, unknown. Perhaps that is what makes it such a popular focus in Sci-Fi; it is a blank canvas, free to be filled with whatever one’s mind can concoct. Whether that be visitors from an unknown planet on Earth, such as in Arrival (2016), or a feud over a resource between inhabitants of different planets, such as in Dune (1984).
As I said before, Space is a blank canvas. This makes it easy to create a Sci-Fi setting that shapes space and other-worldly concepts into an allegory. Take Arrival for example. Creatures from another planet come down to Earth. Not too long into the movie, news stations are showed urging for the governments of different nations to take action, China takes on an aggressive stance and soon other countries follow, plans are made to bomb the spaceships. Spoiler alert: the aliens were visiting to share a gift with humanity. This is an allegory for the idea that mankind reacts to all that is foreign and unknown with hostility and violence out of fear. How does this compare to Dune? In the movie Dune, the rulers of different planets are fighting over a resource they refer to as the ‘spice’. This spice is known for its mystical properties that can give the user knowledge and power. This can be viewed as an allegory for mankind’s hunger for power. Another important aspect of Dune is the lack of water on planet Arrakis. Because it is not easily attainable yet necessary for survival, water is extremely valuable on Arrakis. Fremen, the inhabitants of Arrakis, have developed a culture based on water, the sharing of which has become a spiritual custom within their community, thus depicting water as an allegory for life.
One thing both movies have in common is the ability to see the future. In Arrival, the aliens gift humanity with their language, which allows one to view time as non-linear, allowing that person to see the future. In Dune, Paul has dreams and flashes of the future. What is it about the future that entices Sci-Fi authors so much? Perhaps it is the same as space in that way; something that is completely unknown is extremely curious. In both movies, the main characters follow the path that was given to them in their visions of the future. This develops the concept of fate and the inevitable. Interesting how even in a made-up world in which anything is possible, people repeatedly limit themselves with the conclusion that the order of events within life are destined and not to be altered.
Kayla's Sci-Fi Blog 
“This develops the concept of fate and the inevitable. Interesting how even in a made-up world in which anything is possible, people repeatedly limit themselves with the conclusion that the order of events within life are destined and not to be altered.”
Well, yes and no. It depends on the work. This is essentially the opposition of fatalism (destiny) vs. free will (choice). Some works are very fatalistic. I think Dune certainly falls into that category, with its constant prophecies coming true, Paul ‘fulfilling his destiny,’ etc. But many other sci-fi works are more open and suggest either open possibility of choice or at least a more complex version of fate. The question of ‘Time Loops’ that we talked about and ‘non-linear causality’ factor in here as well. In Arrival, Louise sees aspects of her future but we have the sense that she still perhaps has a choice whether to embrace this future, despite all of the suffering it entails (e.g., with her daughter’s illness). With the time loop question, we also have a problematic notion of whether the world was ‘destined’ to solve the Arrival problem with General Xi or if this was a free choice that occurred only due to Louise and the General’s heroism. I am inclined to lean toward the latter interpretation there. And you? Other films get REALLY into this debate about free will and destiny, like the German series Dark (2018) I recommended to the class. Was this my fate? Could I have chosen differently? And if it was my fate, then perhaps no fault lies with me for any mistakes since there was no other possibility? Lots of ethical and religious debates trace back to this question as well: If God has a plan for us, and indeed knows everything in advance, as most Christian religions suggest, then how is it that we have free will and choice? Very complex subject and no simple answers there…
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