The movie War Games came out when I was a kid and it made me think that computers, at some point, would make us safer here on Earth or kill us all.  The idea was that the awesome power of the computer would easily surpass human intelligence and figure out that humans didn’t need to fight or couldn’t compete with artificial intelligence.  The reality of the situation is that a by-product of human technology is waste and the citizens of the 20th century certainly polluted every corner of the Earth.  At the same time, science and technology has made quantum leaps towards impossible things like teleportation and fusion power.  Finally, we have today’s holy grail of consumer technology is the ever popular cell phone, a device more powerful than the computers that sent astronauts to the moon.

In so many ways we are the “Ubermench”,  the masters of our universe.  The idea that we have been flying for less than a hundred years, and we left Earth and walked on the moon 50 years ago, and where are we now?  We fly faster, farther, and sometimes more efficiently, but still not in a sustainable way. All of these engines use fuel and that fuel damages the delicate atmosphere of our planet.  Our cars work better, but still pollute like cars did 100 years ago.  Only now, we are changing the paradigm of manufacturing and operation, we don’t need fuel powered vehicles anymore.  The world is trying to change but fights against those who control the wealth and power.  In my mind, help is coming, and it’s in the form of these science fiction stories and movies. 

A Stranger In Strange Land, a 1961 novel by Robert Heinlein, has a hero that could help humanity right now.  The main character, Valentine Michael Smith, is a human born on Mars and comes to Earth in early adulthood.  He is a messianic character who attempts to understand others in a complete fashion.  This state of complete understanding is called to “Grok” another.  Today we need someone who will help all humans “get to know” each other.  Tribal America needs a middleman!

The Day Earth Stood Still is a movie that has been remade.  The original movie was released in 1951, and it was a warning to modern man that there is always someone greater than you.  An alien lands on Earth to demand of Humans to limit their need of nuclear weapons and power or face annihilation.  Klaatu, the Alien, walks among the humans at one point in the movie.  The story shows that the mindless governments of the world have put mankind on a dangerous path, one only an overwhelming force from the outside could change.  We need a day that the Earth will stand still, a day with no power caused by Klaatu the omniscient alien, like in the movie.

“The Golden Man” is a novelette by Philip K. Dick from 1953.  It tells a story of the next step in human evolution.  The story is set in the future where the existence of mutants, those mutated by the war, became a reality.  Mutants are seen as a threat to humanity and are widely hated.  A golden skinned mutant named Cris has the ability to see into the future and is able to avoid all capture or kill attempts on him.  The humans had every right to fear Cris, his appearance and his abilities made him the future of humankind with no way to stop him.

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins! was a 1985 movie based on “The Destroyer” book series.  In this movie there is a advanced form of martial arts that causes perfect accidents (Assassination) called “Shinanjui,” taught by its master Chiun.   Remo is directed by a secret government agency called “Cure” to illuminate those above the law.  I’d say we need a few accidents to right the world and rid the planet of some serious garbage.  What will be the “Cure” to the world’s problems?

My favorite Sci-Fi movie solution comes from Highlander.  The movie is full of immortals fighting with swords for a great prize, and it’s the great prize that I write about.  Connor MacLeod, The Highlander,  gains the ability to read minds and with this helps people live together.  He is supposed to influence the world’s leaders and help them work together.  That would be my greatest wish for the people of the Earth to learn to live in peace and harmony.  I wouldn’t mind a few individuals losing their heads, but I’ll try to stick with peace and harmony.