Hone Imagination

Reading, especially literature, can be a powerful way to hone the imagination. Not surprisingly, in developed countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands requires high school students must complete up to 22-32 titles as a condition of graduation. While in Indonesia, young children actually drowned on television. Television has made the younger generation to be passive brain, imagination weakened, and ultimately kills slowly possessed creativity.

The low'm reading is also influenced by the current state of our lives. Many people think that money is everything, while reading the literature that gives happiness life (no money) might be useful. Ironically, the phenomenon has been considered reasonable, even considered properly. As a result, increasingly shunned by the reading public.

And clearly, reading is a science to appreciate our efforts and in order to hone the imagination. Keep in mind also that the scientific research presupposes certain ideas that had been held previously. Of course, the ideas that then need to be justified by the facts of observation, but it does not always come directly from the facts. Held ideas often come from the imagination of scientists. (Leahy, 2006:19)

Therefore, a work of fiction that is so close to the imagination must be kept alive and developed. Science fiction and should not contradictory, but complementary. Poet rightly studied science and vice versa, the scientists and scholars who work in government (technocrat) mengakrabi as reading literature. Because history has recorded many discoveries in the field of science and technology-inspired works of fiction.

Literary Reading Technology To Accelerate Progress

Technology is an instrument for the fulfillment of human needs. Since its existence in the face of the earth, humans have implemented technology. Technology has been created to meet a particular need, and therefore technology must change with the changing types of human needs to be met. Technology has evolved from a very simple start, until now a very complicated modern technology (complicated). (Besari, 2008: 9)

Furthermore, according to the book Besari Sahari Technology in the archipelago; 40 Century Innovation Barriers (2008: 310) technology can be divided into three groups. The first group, the technology now exists, is called a well-established technology, secondly, the technology in the appearance or potential of technology, and third, that the technology will still be born in the future or the future of technology. This latter technology can often be felt, but the technology itself is still unknown.

To be able to formulate a hypothesis or educated guess (future technology) are successful then we need a creative scientific imagination. (Fried, George H, Georige Hademenos J., 2005: 1). Scientific imagination is imagination in the form of science or science.

Back to the question above, whether advanced science and technology in Indonesia? Concerning this question, there are two opinions in society. The first opinion said that science and technology development in Indonesia has been developed. The proof is that we often won gold medals and a silver from the competition or the Olympics of science and physics, both Asian and international levels.

While a second opinion states that science and technology in Indonesia is still lagging. It is true that we often get a medal in the Olympics, but these achievements often then not followed up, just stop at that point alone. Moreover achievements are only achieved by a few people, so it is not feasible to represent the people of Indonesia said.

Author personally agree with the latter opinion. Not that do not believe in the intelligence of the child who owned the land. In general, we have to admit that compared with developed countries such as Japan, Germany, or America, science and technology we are still lagging behind. Indonesia does have some scientists whose findings have been recognized by the world. BJ Habibie, who can design airplanes, Adi Rahman Adiwowo inventors of new technologies in satellite-based mobile telephone, Alexander Kawilarang finned fish finder boat, Anrias Wiji Setio Pamuji inventor biological gas reactor, Aryadi Suwono who found coolant new, more energy efficient, and so forth . But are we just going to continue to rely on them? Are we satisfied with just the names and claim to be a country that has developed? Of course not.

Now, you try to look sophisticated goods that are around you. Ranging from mobile phones, motor vehicles, to refrigerators and irons, is there anything that is a domestic product? If there are, what, and how the quality is?

Admitted behind to then rise certainly better than claimed more powerful and then sit on my hands. Reality would lower the nation's natural creativity makes us wonder: What is the cause? How do I get to catch up?

One obvious reason is because these people do not have a tradition of imagination. To become a self-help community in the provision of technology, then the people-in addition to the innovation of an established technology for the needs of self-also need to be able to predict which technologies will still born. (Besari, 2008: 315)

This is where people need imagination to create future technologies. And therefore, efforts to get the creative imagination should continue to be encouraged. One way is to cultivate reading.

Science Technology and Imagination

Most people there are more happy with something that is already standard. Those who think like that just believe theories that already exist. Fortunately still there, though not many, people who think and act outside of the habits that already exist. Precisely why fewer people who have donated major changes to the world.

To find out how to work the imagination Muhammad Muhibbuddin (2011: 38-39) exemplifies how Nicolas Copernicus (1437-1543) gave birth to the heliocentric theory. The heliocentric theory of the geocentric theory argue that previously had become dogma for decades. Something interesting about the discovery of Copernicus's definitely not just lie in the results, ie success in finding the heliocentric theory, but it is precisely at the beginning he found the theory.

You may be wondering, what about its origin?

The process of birth is closely linked to the theory of Copernicus' own intellectual anxiety when contemplating the universe. For example, when he watched the stars in the sky, he saw that among the stars sometimes distance appear closer and sometimes further afield. Of the phenomenon of the stars and then came the simple question in his heart, "why did it happen?" From that question, Copernicus later gave birth to a simple but brilliant idea. The idea was a simple question, "What happens if the earth is not a true center of the universe but merely one of the planets surrounding the sun?"

If we look at the beginning of the birth of Copernicus theory that changed the world view, it is apparent that there is a bigger role in the imagination. Simple questions that led him to the scientific investigation is essentially a reflection of the imagination.

Story experienced by Einstein in his theory of relativity gave birth by the formula E = mc2 - no less interesting and confirms that the imagination has tremendous power. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity gave birth when she was only 26 years old. How imagination Albert Einstein's theory of relativity works so can be born? The following descriptions presented Jalaluddin Rahmat in the introduction to the book  Intelligence Millionaires: Enlightening Heritage ye Descendants (2003).

In his biography notes, Einstein telling moments of the first time he thought about the theory of relativity. "Something like what if we ran alongside a light beam, the speed of light?" Einstein once imagined. He also imagined himself riding a beam of light ends (light beam) while holding a mirror. Did he see his reflection in the mirror. According to classical physics, the answer is clear. He will not see his reflection in the mirror, because the light that left his face should move faster than light in order to achieve a mirror. Einstein trust intuition more than the classical theory. In his shadow, very funny if we hold the mirror and do not see our faces in it. Einstein imagined universe that allows us to see our face in the mirror, although we rode a light beam. And the theory of relativity was born.

Read the story of Copernicus and Einstein above make us believe that all adds science and technology are now real and it can be proven, its origin appears and built through the imagination. Therefore, the impossibility of thinking, we should be challenged to do more in-depth investigation, as do the scientists of the world.

Thus, we can conclude that without a community that has a strong tradition of imagining that science and technology will be run in place. "Our imagination is infinite treasury. Imagination complements all the ideas and projects it on the screen of the universe, "said Joseph Murphy (2009: 223) concludes.

The Power of Imagination

 

"The nation that does not have the" imagination ", does not have great concepts... Ladies and Gentlemen, the nation nations have the imagination , have great fantasies: having courage; has a willingness to face risk .....
(Lecture of President Soekarno in Semarang, July 29, 1956)

Imagination is one thing that can not be released for a writer of fiction. An author can not create a masterpiece without imagination. However important the imagination possessed not only for an author or artist only, but for all people. Because the imagination is the source of many discoveries and development of science and technology (Science and Technology).

Once the importance of imagination to the extent that Einstein is a world famous scientific figures once said, "imagination is more important than knowledge." (Alan, Emil Burton, 2008: 36) Why did Einstein dare to say so?

Surely what Einstein said is not nonsense. Imagination is more important than knowledge, because imagination is not limited to space and time, while knowledge is limited. Knowledge is the result. While the results need tools, and tools to gain knowledge itself is imagination. That's why, in addition to imagination has a broad reach, the excess of imagination is also due to aspects of usability, ie, as a means of achieving knowledge.

Imagination is often interpreted as the power of thought to imagine in wishful thinking or creating stories, drawings, paintings, essays, and depictions of events based on reality or experience of a person. (Kartono, 2009: 173) With the human imagination to imagine new things, new discoveries, and then try to realize and get it. If humans do not possess the power of imagination in his mind, humans will never develop. Thus, low or dulling of the public imagination in a nation could become an obstacle to progress.

According to Mahmud Mahdi (2006: 111) imagination is divided into two, namely the re-creative imagination and creative imagination. Imagine something that has been known event called the re-creative imagination. While the creative imagination is imagining things or events that have occurred or unknown.

Examples of re-creative imagination is to imagine the days when we used to sit in the elementary school. Examples of creative imagination is easy to imagine landing or flying to the moon and do not ever go there.

With a creative imagination that humans can successfully create new things. Including new discoveries in the field of science and technology always starts from an imagination. Submarines, aircraft, radios, televisions, robots and all the modern inventions of the world is the fruit of human imagination.

It is important that the imagination is not just a dream or delusion. Imagination must be distinguished from fantasy, hallucinations, or daydreams are empty. Fantasy, hallucinations or empty daydreams can be said without a vision and orientation, as well as tend to do unconsciously. While imagination clearly has a vision and goals as well as a lot more done consciously.

Indeed, imagination is often associated with dreams, but it was only as a stimulus for the birth of mere imagination. The dreams that come by our creativity processed into formulations imagination, and imagination is brought into the world of reality. Thus, it is in principle imagination is accessing data from any origin to be presented to the real world. (Muhibbuddin, 2011: 22)

Hence, the birth of the imagination is the source of creativity. Because the hallmark of creativity is the ability to process something ordinary into something of high value. So, now increasingly clear imagination very useful as a starting point to discover new things.

"History of Science Fiction"

The term science fiction, according to the Sandya Maulana Aldiss (2010: 15) was first used in the short story magazine Amazing Stories, edited by Hugo Gernsback and was first published in 1926. Before the term science fiction is used, the actual works of science fiction have appeared previously. Exploiting the tendency of science or science as the dominant element in the narrative building is considered a work of fiction appeared since the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, published in 1818.
Far Before that, in the Muslim world, Ibn Thufail (1106-1185) through his work, Hayy Ibn Yaqzhan have successfully integrated description of anatomy, astronomy and philosophy of Islam as instinct, intuition and pure reason by Hayy figures. Many people who admired literature as a literary work of high value and not a few thinkers who put the work in Ibn framework. Thufail. (Mahayana, 2007: 343)
Then in the 19th century, precisely in 1873 appeared a French author named Jules Verne. His novel titled Around the World in 80 days that have been translated into Indonesian by title Eighty Days Around the World deemed to have shocked the world. And hence Jules Verne then regarded as the father of science fiction world.
In addition there is also a writer Jules Verne world famouswith their science fiction, including H. G. Wells book The Time Machine (1895), J. Wyndham with The Day of the Triffids (1951) and Ray Bradburry the book Fahrenheit 451 (1953). (Rampan, 1999: 219)
Despite a lot of science fiction emerged in the 19th century, but the golden age of science fiction or science fiction new golden age occurred in the 1930s and 1940s (Maulana, 2010: 17). At that time, science fiction has become a popular realm filled with optimism towards the achievement of science in the future and increase knowledge of science fiction readers about science phenomena. Thus the development of science fiction is in line with Gernsback's vision when he started publishing the magazine Amazing Stories-to encourage young people with enthusiasm for research and scientific achievements.
In the 1980s until well into the twenty-first century, science fiction undergo other changes in its development. This change is characterized by the rapid advances in technology media. Magazine science fiction is now fully replaced by the publication of books (novels) science fiction. Nevertheless, the ideas of science fiction is now no longer spread through books, but through other media, such as comics, movies, television, and video games.
Science fiction is now not only thrive in the West (America, Britain, France, etc) but in Asia also are emerging bergenri prose science fiction. The question is, how the development of science fiction in Indonesia?
Science fiction is one genre of prose fiction which recently started to get the attention of readers of literary homeland. The emergence of science fiction in Indonesia is not long. Considered science fiction first appeared in Indonesia is Djokolelono work titled Falling into the Sun which was published in 1976. (Maulana, 2010: 15)

However, the reverberations of the science fiction novel sounded in Indonesia since the birth of the novel Supernova works Dee (Dewi Lestari), published in 2001. Dee and Djokolelono addition there are still many authors who have published prose science fiction in the country. We will discuss this in a special discussion in the next chapter.
Hopefully writing about the "History of science fiction" can be useful. regards

Classification of Science Fiction

According to Cramer and Westfahl as quoted by Maulana Sandya (2010: 22-24) classification of science fiction is generally arranged by type of science that were presented or how science is treated. There are three classifications of science fiction's most famous, as follows:

a. Science fiction 'hard' or hard science fiction, science fiction is closely associated with the development of science and technology and requires an understanding of the science of reading. Science fiction 'hard' science also refers to the 'hard' is covered in them. Hard science in question here is the natural or exact sciences such as physics, mathematics, and sciences are relatively new such as cybernetics and robotics.

b. Science fiction 'smooth' or soft science fiction, science fiction is likely to use the sciences were 'fine'. Included here is a subtle science social sciences such as sociology, economics, politics, and at certain moments, psychology. Science fiction 'fine' can also contain elements of science such as physics, mathematics, or biology, but is still below the level of science fiction 'hard'.

c. Science fiction space opera or space opera. Space opera is a sub-genre of science fiction that has many formulas, such as the story of a cowboy and a drama full of romance clichés, an adventure story with a background that seemed to show an interest in science and technology, which is indicated by the space probes, laser pistol, or teleportation device (transfer of matter from one point to another).

Three sub-genre classification above is the most common science fiction. Still there are several sub-genres of science fiction others not so well known, such as these:

a. Aliens: a review of science fiction creature outer from space or another planet.

b. Cloning: a science fiction story about genetic engineering, usually filled with moral consequences. Examples of these are sub-genri Lanang novel (2006) by Jonathan Rahardjo.

c. Cyberpunk: science fiction that takes the theme of advanced technology, featuring human oddities who destroys himself with his own progress. The word "cyberpunk" first appeared in the novel "Neuromancer" (1984) by William Gibson.

d. Dystopia: a pessimistic science fiction story, fear, and anxiety over facing the advancement of science and technology is amazing karrena science and technology are regarded as the source of a humanitarian catastrophe in the future.

e. Super Human: The story tells of a super human, that is, those with super powers who have the power or ability more than other people,

f. Theology: Science Fiction about religion.

g. Travel time: Every story featuring a time machine or a trip to the past or the future.

h. Utopia: Fiction science that describes an ideal future.

Although there is a sorter-sorting out sub-genre of science fiction sort of thing, but the actual relationship between the sub-sub-genri genri are relatively liquid. So between the sub-sub-genri genri with other mixing can occur.

Similarly, the classification of posts about science fiction. may be useful.

"The Meaning of Science Fiction"

The term "science fiction" prose consists of three words, namely "prose", "fiction" and "science." Science fiction itself often referred to as a science fiction or in English known as science fiction (often abbreviated as Sc-Fi).

In language "prose" is defined as a free bouquet. While the "fiction" is defined as regular fiction. Aminuddin (2002: 66) defines prose fiction as a narrative or story-my head is carried by certain actors with characterization, background as well as a series of stages and certain story which is based on the results of the author's imagination so as to establish a story. Examples of prose fiction is the short story, novel, fairy tales, and other types of prose fiction that nature is.

Science fiction has a plot narrative forms, theme, and background imaginatively presented, based on speculative scientific knowledge and theory plausible. Examples such as the story of space travel, adventures on the sea floor, the emergence of a strange creature, or an adventure on another planet.

Not much different with it, Korrie Layun Rampan (1999: 218) defines science fiction as a literary genre based on actual scientific-and-date, describing the adventure through the sky, or stories that illustrate the state of the world futurologists that in the future.

Sometimes people equate between science fiction and fantasy fiction. Though both are clearly different. Science fiction written by a scientific basis. While the stories are classified as ordinary form of fantasy fiction stories that have no scientific basis, it is pure fantasy author.

Typically, fantasy fiction tells the story of the unknown barantah, figures to have supernatural powers, monsters, strange creatures, and others that are not accompanied and supported by arguments of science basics.

Different works of fiction and non-fiction. The difference, according to Harry Guntur Tarin (1991: 22) lies in the goal. The intent and purpose of narrative non-fiction, history, biography, and so forth is to re-create everything that has happened actually. In other words we can say that the non-fiction narrative begins by saying, "because all these facts then this is what should happen." While the fictional narrative begins by saying, "if all this is the fact that this is what will happen".

Science and Fiction

In the previous post, it may be appropriate to take us to a discussion of science fiction. Is still a lot of people assume that between science and literature have nothing to do, and even contradictory. Science emphasizes the scientific data and laboratory test, while literary fiction tend to promote world. It is realy, science and literature can be mutually coherent, mutually supportive and filling.

Maybe you are wondering, how did that happen? At the point where science and literature can be met? Reading this posting, you will find the answer to this question.

Not only that, this book will also describe the role of the imagination in the advancement of science and technology and how literature inspires the discovery and development of science and advanced technology. You could be stunned after listening to the facts about the technologies inspired from science fiction to be presented in this blog.

 Science fiction is indeed very interesting to review further. He not only has contributed inspiration to scientists, but more than that, science fiction also have alternative media to get closer to our society with science and technology world, and give spirit to the community to come forward to make innovations.
Then, how science fiction prose genri development in Indonesia? This book will answer these questions, by not forgetting to mention the science fiction examples of child domestic work, the three of them will be given a summary and review.

The above discussions are written to provoke interest young people in reading literature, especially science fiction. But if the interest you have shown up, the author felt the need to also provide effective tips how to cultivate the attitude and interest in reading. In addition, there are special tips how to read a good science fiction prose is very useful to us in improving the quality of reading science fiction.

Perhaps, you do not just want to be lovers and fans of science fiction, but also want to be a science fiction writer. It was a tremendous desire and have kept alive and transmitted. And every desire, surely there is a way to achieve it.

There was already a lot written about the creative process of writing prose fiction, and you can read it to facilitate the realization of desires. However, during my observation, there has been no book specifically to review the tips to write science fiction (especially in the area where I live, Indonesia). Therefore, my initial postings on this blog was about to present the steps easy and practical to write science fiction prose.

Awaited ya, mate.

"Do Not Sismiss the Literature"

So great was the influence of literary works so that no cultural experts who underestimate the power of literature.

Although the literature is imaginary, but it makes sense and it contains the truth (Altenbernd and Lewis, in 1995: 2). That is because the author suggests the reality in his work experience and his observations on life. Truth in fiction is the truth which the world has believed "validity" in accordance with his views on life and life issues.

Literary works are not created out of nowhere, but it is a product of intellectual and contemplation which sometimes worked with in-depth research. In addition to the aesthetic (beauty), in the literature there is seriousness rarely brought elements of science. So, by reading literatur, reader will be able to find (not taught) the values ​​of humanity. (Basuki Ks, 2005: 20)

Therefore, by making literature as an agent of cultural transformation then a wish for a developed nation grew bigger. In contrast, rule out the role of literature, look her way, or even vote as useless junk and does not affect anything is the beginning of the destruction of a nation.

"Literary and Cultural Transformation"

"Better to light a candle immediately, rather than cursing the darkness"~ A. Mustafa Bisri
The era of globalization is accompanied by the progress of science (science) and technology is a challenge for Indonesia. Distribution of information that can be accessed easily and quickly resulted in a culture change difficult to control. Unfortunately it is often not the cultural change towards the better, but just the opposite.The magnitude of the challenges of globalization for the nation of Indonesia is not comparable to the quality of human resources and economic resources that we have. Mastery of science and technology we are still low is a social reality that we are experiencing today. Our nation will be left behind if forever be a happy nation emulate and buy the products of a foreign nation. Indonesia will become a weak nation if the people are not creative and appreciate science.

To be able to become an independent nation, advanced, and dignity is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. Efforts must be made, and it should not for a moment through the process. 
Connection with this, perhaps we need to remember the phrase that says that the nation is a nation that appreciates great literature. Believed to provide a powerful literary works affect cultural transformation. Transformation of the culture in question here is a cultural change that makes this nation towards a better. Therefore, literature should not be underestimated. Literature is a cultural document that became one of the pillars of civilization. 
Works have been believed to lead to insights develop think people that contribute to educating the nation. For readers, literary works can arouse feelings, encouraging people to think about the society and people. Reading literature allows one gets input on humans or society and raises the mind and motivation to do something for humanity or society. After that, there will be a personal concern and members of the public to what is faced by society. 
Mochtar Lubis with confidence once said that literature is able to drive a wave of public awareness, as well as the motivation to do the injecting springboard cultural transformation as soon as possible. Because literature has Spririt to establish the values ​​of progress. (Ramadan K.H (Ed), 1995: 80) 
What are the cultural changes that are influenced by literature? Here are some of them:1. Critical reading culture in the era of advancement of science and technology;2. Sympathy for the suffering people and trying to prevented;3. Culture of high ethical and moral life as a creature of God, members of the community, and personal;4. Love of truth, courage, honesty, grit and toughness that is required in the construction;5. The public can be aware of important issues in themselves and realize that they are responsible for the changes themselves. (Alwi, 2002: 233)6. Literature can also lead to the empowerment that not only makes people have the firmness, but also be able to face the challenges of the future.