With pretty much all the content in the media predicting the future of our world as dystopian, it is practically impossible to Imagine a world where the future isn’t all about surviving zombie attacks or living under the harsh rules of the dictators of police states, like what you see in “The Hunger Games” or “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Kathryn Murdoch, an activist and philanthropist, wants to challenge the grim outlook that many young adult books, movies, and TV shows seem to promote about our future. She shared her concerns in an interview with NPR, sparked by a conversation with her daughter who felt hopeless about what lies ahead. Despite Kathryn’s long-standing efforts to tackle issues like climate change and democracy, her daughter’s perspective was influenced by the dystopian themes prevalent in the media.
Kathryn Murdoch, who is married to James Murdoch and connected to the establishment of Fox News through her father-in-law, Rupert Murdoch, has been an advocate for the environment since 2006. Her commitment has taken her to roles such as serving on the board of the Environmental Defense Fund and co-founding the Quadrivium Foundation, which supports solutions for societal challenges. This journey led her to a realization: the stories we tell about the future matter. She noticed a scarcity of positive, believable future visions in young adult media — no shows or books seemed to imagine a better world without relying on superheroes or fantasy creatures.
Murdoch reflects on “Star Trek” as one of the last pop culture phenomena to offer a hopeful, forward-looking vision. This iconic show, beginning in 1964, presented what’s known as a “protopia” — a term coined by futurist Kevin Kelly. Unlike dystopias that depict disastrous futures or utopias that envision perfect but unattainable societies, protopias are about gradual, achievable progress. They show us a future that’s better than today but still grounded in realism, dealing with current issues like climate change or democracy without resorting to scare tactics or impossibilities.
To fill this narrative gap, Murdoch co-founded Futurific Studios, aimed at crafting stories that inspire optimism and action. Their first project, a PBS series called “A Brief History of the Future,” features futurist Ari Wallach exploring global innovations that could shape a brighter tomorrow. From Valérie Courtois’s efforts in Aboriginal forestry in Canada to Boyan Slat’s The Ocean Cleanup project tackling plastic pollution in the world’s rivers, the series showcases real-world solutions and the people behind them. It emphasizes the power of human ingenuity and collaboration in addressing our planet’s most pressing challenges.
Boyan Slat’s words encapsulate the spirit of the series: “If there’s one bit of advice that you should really ignore, is people saying that something can’t be done.” This reflects the core message of “A Brief History of the Future” — that history is full of examples where the impossible became possible through human endeavor.
Kathryn Murdoch hopes that this series will reach a wide audience, noting that PBS has a bipartisan viewer base. Even though her family no longer controls Fox, where a different demographic might benefit from the show’s message, she sees value in airing such content on platforms like Disney, which now owns most of the Fox entertainment assets.
Looking ahead, Futurific plans to delve into graphic novels, traditionally known for their dystopian tales, to continue spreading their protopian vision. The goal is not just to counteract the pervasive negativity but to foster a culture of cooperation and constructive action toward a better future. As attractive as it is to think of oneself as being the “lone survivor” in a post-apocalyptic world, Murdoch believes that there is just as much potential attraction to working together to build a brighter, more sustainable world for future generations.
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Background Information
Understanding these concepts and the roles of the individuals and organizations involved provides a solid foundation for grasping the significance of the move towards a more hopeful portrayal of the future in media. This shift not only reflects a change in narrative focus but also underscores the importance of optimism, innovation, and collective action in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
Dystopian and Utopian Literature
- Dystopias are fictional societies that are often depicted as the grim opposites of ideal societies. They usually feature oppressive governments, environmental degradation, or other catastrophic societal failures. Popular examples include “The Hunger Games” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
- Utopias are idealized societies where everything works perfectly; justice, harmony, and happiness are the norms. However, utopias are often criticized for being unrealistic.
- Protopias, a term less familiar to many, represent a middle ground — societies that are better than today’s but still have room for improvement. They are achievable and focus on continuous progress rather than a perfect endpoint.
Environmental Activism
- Environmental activism involves efforts to protect the natural world and promote sustainable living to address issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Activists and organizations work on various fronts, including legal actions, awareness campaigns, and pioneering sustainable technologies.
Media Influence
- The stories and themes prevalent in media, including books, movies, and TV shows, significantly influence public perception and attitudes. A heavy focus on dystopian futures can impact viewers’ and readers’ outlooks on real-world issues, potentially leading to feelings of despair or apathy about solving these problems.
Innovation and Societal Problems
- Innovation refers to creating new ideas, products, or methods to solve problems. In the context of societal issues like climate change, democracy, and artificial intelligence, innovation can provide solutions that are practical, scalable, and sustainable.
- Examples of innovation in addressing environmental issues include renewable energy technologies, waste-to-energy plants, and projects like The Ocean Cleanup, which aims to remove plastic from the world’s oceans.
Background on Key Figures and Concepts
- Kathryn Murdoch: An activist and philanthropist focused on environmental and democracy issues. She’s involved in several initiatives and organizations aimed at creating positive societal change.
- James Murdoch: Kathryn’s husband, known for his liberal-leaning stance, contrasting with the more conservative views associated with his father, Rupert Murdoch, and Fox News.
- Fox News: A major American cable news channel founded by Rupert Murdoch. It has a significant influence on American politics and public opinion, known for its conservative slant.
- PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): An American public broadcaster and television program distributor. It’s known for educational and informative content, aiming to enrich people’s lives through programs that inspire and broaden perspectives.
- Futurific Studios: Co-founded by Kathryn Murdoch, this studio aims to create media that inspires optimism and action towards solving global challenges, presenting a protopian vision of the future.
Debate/Essay Questions
- Is it more effective to confront viewers with the harsh realities of dystopian futures or to inspire them with hopeful visions of protopias when aiming to encourage action on issues like climate change?
- Do public broadcasting services like PBS have a more critical role in educating the public about future challenges and innovations compared to commercial networks, or can both equally contribute to societal education?
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