Classic Sci-Fi as Prophecy...

Of course, when I say "Classic," I'm referring to when Sci-Fi really started to gain speed; so, 1940-ish through the mid-1960's.

Nearly everything I'm going to mention here is freely available in the Public Domain - just go online and look.  Things I'm going to talk about where originally broadcast on radio shows like "X Minus One" in the 1950's.

COURTESY (aired 18AUG1955, X-1) - An offworld outpost begins to experience a plague among the human staff - all except one man.  Why is this one man not bothered?  Give it a listen.  I think it shows potential for what could happen when the lubrication of social nicety is removed from the operating machinery.

THE COLD EQUATIONS (aired 25AUG1955, X-1) - She just wanted to visit her husband - but didn't think things through.  What happens when people act impulsively on their "feelings of entitlement" (however they were generated)?

SKULKING PERMIT (aired 15FEB1956, X-1) - In attempt to "appear civilized," a colony that has been out of contact for some 200 years or so decides to appoint a criminal - because they don't have one.  Kinda makes you wonder - just how civilized are we?

SEA LEGS (aired 01MAY1956, X-1) - Shows the contrast between a "free society" (spacers and offworld colonists) vice a repressive society (what's left on Earth.)

MR. COSTELLO, HERO (aired 03JUL1956, X-1) - How far are we willing to go in the name of "collectivism" and "brotherhood" - and what will it cost us?  And, will we learn before it's too late for us?

SNOWBALL EFFECT (aired 14AUG1956, X-1) - Shows how far a political movement can go - whether we want it to or not.  Then what?

CHAIN OF COMMAND (aired 21NOV1956, X-1) - What are the results of our experiments?  What can happen if a project gains its own momentum?

RELUCTANT HEROES (aired 19DEC1956, X-1) - Let's think about the people at the forefront of exploratory efforts.  Sure, they'll benefit Man as a whole, but what's the individual cost?

REPORT ON THE BARNHOUSE EFFECT (airdate unknown, Dimension X) - A scientist accidentally discovered a power of the mind.  A great power.  He wants to use it to improve the world - world powers want to use him as a secret weapon.  What happens next?

These should provoke enough thought to get you going while I dig up something else.  I've seen archives of both X Minus One and Dimension X online, freely available, so you shouldn't have any trouble digging this stuff up.

Discuss.