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Ethan Lawrence

Professor Matt Wilson

Writing 2

1 February 2017

WP1: The Rhetoric of Science Fiction in Two Genres

Science Fiction (Sci-fi) films take technology to its extremes. When technology is

enhanced, so is the magnitude and influence of its consequences, which in turn magnifies the

gravity of an individuals actions; the resulting environment is one where common acts of cruelty

are blown to grotesque proportions. These extremes allow for exciting narrative, but also create

an ideal setting for making commentary on prevalent issues and for pushing the audience to

reflect on the state of their society. This defining Science Fiction convention is established in two

texts, Rotten Tomatoes, a film review site, and Hampton Fanchers script, Blade Runner. This

paper argues that Blade Runner utilizes this Sci-fi convention of enhancing technology, in the

form of androids, to question the morality and empathy of the man, while Rotten Tomatos

organization and grouping of Sci-fi movies further cements this as a defining Sci-fi convention.

Blade Runner enhances robotics, a common form of technology in the modern world, to a

new height with the advent of the android, A synthetic man created from biological materials

capable of self-perpetuating thought. Although machines now have complex emotional

capabilities they are still subject to the same treatment as if they were inanimate objects, utilized

for work too boring, dangerous, or unpleasant (Fancher) for humans. The fate that these beings

are subject to is seen having a profound effect on their psyche. Roy Batty, an android says,

Quite an experience to live in fear, isnt it? Thats what it is to be a slave (Fancher).

Regardless, humans show no sympathy. This general sentiment is summarized in the

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protagonists remark, Replicants (androids) are like any other machine, are either a benefit or a

hazard (Fancher). By looking at the quotes of the human protagonist and android antagonist, the

relationship between the two becomes apparent; regardless of the androids fear or subjectivity

to being a slave, mankind still views androids as a utility, solely meant to serve humans, thus

they are only a benefit or a hazard.

In creating this scenario Blade Runner poses the question: is it wrong to burden androids

with the concept of thought and emotion and then sentence them to a life of servitude? In

creating a future with robots capable of self-perpetuating thought, the script upsets the current

environment of non-feeling robots. In this new environment, the script can explore human

morality in a unique and insightful way by examining the interactions between mankind and

androids. Fancher uses androids as a means of bringing to surface human cruelty and surface.

The societys lack of regard for these feeling beings is so prominent in Blade Runner that it

becomes grotesque and disturbing. The audience in turn is forced to consider the implications of

the questions and issues the film brings to light in their own environment. Blade Runner

effectively prompts the audience to reflect and draw parallels to their own society by introducing

a technological extreme and using it to bring to shed light on human morality.

While the Blade Runner script utilizes this Sci-fi convention to question the audience, the

Rotten Tomatoes review website helps shape the criteria for what is considered a Science

Fiction movie. Rotten Tomatoes establishes common conventions between Sci-fi movies in a

section labeled, people who like this movie also like, which provides a list of movies that the

website deems similar. In this section on the Blade Runner review page some of the titles listed

include: Akira, Her, and Moon. These films, like Blade Runner, tend to take some form

technology, enhance it, and use it to pose a question of morality or make a statement on modern
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society. By grouping these films together, Rotten Tomatoes recognizes the similarities between

these movies as defining Science Fiction conventions. In this sense, Rotten Tomatoes is

establishing what conventions constitute a Sci-fi film and recognizes the importance of enhanced

technology as a defining characteristic in this genre.

The Science Fiction genre does make for exhilarating and imaginative films; the writer is

not limited to the current state of human society and thus can dream up bleak or utopic futures:

desolate cityscapes assaulted with acid rain or fantastic vistas of floating towers shrouded in

cloud. The beauty is that these varying outtakes, set in place decades or centuries ahead, each

have their own unique commentary on aspects of mankind that are prevalent in the modern

world. Although Sci-fi writers take liberties when coming up with new technology, theyre often

grounded in some facet of reality so it can be applicable and relatable to viewers. The

relationship observed between man and android is not specific to Blade Runner, the power

dynamic is unfortunately common today. There is an immense amount of truth and wisdom that

can be gained from Science Fiction films if one truly interacts with the work.