--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of…" description: "\"Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of science, getting word to the public about what cutting-edge research really means.\" — Robert J. Sawyer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_science-fiction-is-the-wikileaks-of-scie_2398763.jpg" --- # Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of science, getting word… ![“Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of science, getting word to the public about what cutting-edge research really means.” quote by Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_science-fiction-is-the-wikileaks-of-scie_2398763.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_science-fiction-is-the-wikileaks-of-scie_2398763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_science-fiction-is-the-wikileaks-of-scie_2398763.jpg) > “Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of science, getting word to the public about what cutting-edge research really means.” [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compares science fiction to WikiLeaks for exposing hidden scientific truths to the public. **In simple terms:** Sci‑fi reveals hidden science. Key Takeaway Use stories to explain complex ideas. Themes communication science public understanding transparency media Mood thought‑provoking critical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - education - policy debates - media analysis - public outreach Key Concepts science communication literature ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can narrative balance accuracy with engagement? - What responsibilities do storytellers have? A Different Perspective Fiction may oversimplify or sensationalize science. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) ## Related quotes > [What people actually refer to as research is really just Googling. I already have a complicated relationship with research. It used to be going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dermot-mulroney/what-people-actually-refer-to-as-research-is-really-just-googling-i/) [Dermot Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dermot-mulroney/) > [The real value of science is in the getting, and those who have tasted the pleasure of discovery alone know what science is. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-soddy/the-real-value-of-science-is-in-the-getting-and-those-who-have-tasted/) [Frederick Soddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-soddy/) > [We keep, in science, getting a more and more sophisticated view of our essential ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-weaver/we-keep-in-science-getting-a-more-and-more-sophisticated-view-of-our/) [Warren Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-weaver/) > [...the science is getting worse faster than the politics is getting better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-miliband/the-science-is-getting-worse-faster-than-the-politics-is-getting/) [David Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-miliband/) > [A big part of engaging kids in science is not getting the single, correct answer; it's being willing to work with students to discover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/a-big-part-of-engaging-kids-in-science-is-not-getting-the-single/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [I love market research because you really have an idea of what your consumers are looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aerin-lauder/i-love-market-research-because-you-really-have-an-idea-of-what-your/) [Aerin Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aerin-lauder/) > [Exploratory research is really like working in a fog. You don't know where you're going. You're just groping. Then people learn about it afterwards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-crick/exploratory-research-is-really-like-working-in-a-fog-you-don-t-know/) [Francis Crick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-crick/) > [With my research, I really need absolute confirmation of what actually happened, direct physical connections to the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/with-my-research-i-really-need-absolute-confirmation-of-what-actually/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [I really hate the term 'historical novel' - it reminds me of bodice-rippers. But I'm hooked on research, and I really, really enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-kent/i-really-hate-the-term-historical-novel-it-reminds-me-of-bodice/) [Hannah Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-kent/) > [It's not research if you're really interested in what you're reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-subramanian/it-s-not-research-if-you-re-really-interested-in-what-you-re-reading/) [Ravi Subramanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-subramanian/) > [There are so many different ways to develop a character - physically, mentally, spiritually and all of that - but the research was really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbie-cornish/there-are-so-many-different-ways-to-develop-a-character-physically/) [Abbie Cornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbie-cornish/) > [When I find research really rewarding is when one piece of information gives you an idea for a story. That's when it's great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/when-i-find-research-really-rewarding-is-when-one-piece-of/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“Wow, when you research, you really research, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/wow-when-you-research-you-really-research-don-t-you/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [Social progress is a big thing for me. Although science fiction is traditionally concerned with the hard sciences, which is chemistry, physics, and, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/social-progress-is-a-big-thing-for-me-although-science-fiction-is/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [One of the things that science fiction gets to do is thought experiments about the human condition that would be impractical or unethical to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/one-of-the-things-that-science-fiction-gets-to-do-is-thought/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## More by Robert J. Sawyer > [Naturally, one does not normally discuss plans to commit murder with the intended victim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/naturally-one-does-not-normally-discuss-plans-to-commit-murder-with/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Not wanting to die was another universal constant, it seemed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/not-wanting-to-die-was-another-universal-constant-it-seemed/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm much more interested in writing about the things that engage and enrage me as an adult rather than in wallowing in childhood sorrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-much-more-interested-in-writing-about-the-things-that-engage-and/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Our job is not to predict the future. Rather, it's to suggest all the possible futures - so that society can make informed decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/our-job-is-not-to-predict-the-future-rather-it-s-to-suggest-all-the/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [That natural selection can produce changes within a type is disputed by no one, not even the staunchest creationist. But that it can transform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/that-natural-selection-can-produce-changes-within-a-type-is-disputed/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [“You really did uplift me. You gave me the perspective and point of view and focus I needed to become truly conscious. Without you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/you-really-did-uplift-me-you-gave-me-the-perspective-and-point-of/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm often characterized as an optimistic writer, and certainly my 'Neanderthal Parallax' and 'WWW' trilogies shade toward the utopian. I like to think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-often-characterized-as-an-optimistic-writer-and-certainly-my/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I started wondering why it is that people line up behind charismatic leaders. It's easy to understand the emergence of a figure who's narcissistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-started-wondering-why-it-is-that-people-line-up-behind-charismatic/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [When you're changing centuries, people get curious about the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/when-you-re-changing-centuries-people-get-curious-about-the-future/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Real people are complex, contradictory, and have their own motivations - they can't just be mouthpieces for the writers' point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/real-people-are-complex-contradictory-and-have-their-own-motivations/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [“All right,” he said. “Since you asked, Webmind is an emergent quantum-computational system based on a stable null-sigma condensate that resists decoherence thanks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/all-right-he-said-since-you-asked-webmind-is-an-emergent-quantum/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Social progress is a big thing for me. Although science fiction is traditionally concerned with the hard sciences, which is chemistry, physics, and, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/social-progress-is-a-big-thing-for-me-although-science-fiction-is/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Fiction is all about vicarious experiences and getting into other people's heads in a way that no other art form lets you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/fiction-is-all-about-vicarious-experiences-and-getting-into-other/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Secrecy was the problem; transparency the obvious cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/secrecy-was-the-problem-transparency-the-obvious-cure/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm a member of the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-a-member-of-the-writers-guild-of-america-and-the-writers-guild-of/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) [Explore all 116 Robert J. Sawyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## More Fiction quotes > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [The thing about science fiction is that it's totally wide open. But it's wide open in a conditional way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-butler/the-thing-about-science-fiction-is-that-it-s-totally-wide-open-but-it/) [Octavia Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-butler/) > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) Edward Einhorn > [Fiction is a way of exploring possibilities present but undreamt of in the living of a single life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/fiction-is-a-way-of-exploring-possibilities-present-but-undreamt-of/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I love writing fiction and can do it anywhere - I once even missed a flight because I was so engrossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prue-leith/i-love-writing-fiction-and-can-do-it-anywhere-i-once-even-missed-a/) [Prue Leith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prue-leith/) > [“The fiction will seek the real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coheed-and-cambria/the-fiction-will-seek-the-real/) Coheed and Cambria > [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more writers than readers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-danger-that-may-really-threaten-crime-fiction-is-that-soon-there/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/) [L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/) > [Inspiration comes from so many sources. Music, other fiction, the non-fiction I read, TV shows, films, news reports, people I know, stories I hear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudi-canavan/inspiration-comes-from-so-many-sources-music-other-fiction-the-non/) [Trudi Canavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudi-canavan/) > [I'm not interested in making a diagnostic novel or a concern. I'm 100 percent committed in fiction to the pleasure principle - that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/i-m-not-interested-in-making-a-diagnostic-novel-or-a-concern-i-m-100/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [“His hands on my waist he gently pulled me n embrace. I could feel his breath on my face our lips were about to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-eglinger/his-hands-on-my-waist-he-gently-pulled-me-n-embrace-i-could-feel-his/) [Nicole Eglinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-eglinger/) > [In early drafts, one of the trickiest things for me to do was to realize that the techniques and devices that make readable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-rooney/in-early-drafts-one-of-the-trickiest-things-for-me-to-do-was-to/) [Kathleen Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-rooney/) > [I don't think it's always a sign of respect for persons (inside or outside of fiction) to pretend to be able to represent, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lerner/i-don-t-think-it-s-always-a-sign-of-respect-for-persons-inside-or/) [Ben Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lerner/) > [Metafiction says something. It has to do with taking a large fiction itself and writing within it; that kind of self-reflecting writing that emerges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-coover/metafiction-says-something-it-has-to-do-with-taking-a-large-fiction/) [Robert Coover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-coover/) [Browse all 7,410 Fiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Science fiction is the WikiLeaks of science, getting word to the public about what cutting-edge research really means.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert J. 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