How Travel Is Like a Science Fiction Novel

The key to any good science fiction novel is that something really weird happens to the protagonists. The normal method for this weirdness to occur usually involves something that would be really cool if it was actually real—like time travel, a wormhole, or high-speed travel to a distant planet. Or you can have all three, if some silly aliens are involved. If one has read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, then this might make a little bit of sense.

See, at the beginning of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the main character’s planet (Earth) is destroyed by aliens. At that point, he has to move. And so it is with travel. You’re not at home anymore, so you might as well go somewhere else. Chances are you get into some sort of vehicle which hurtles you forward at speeds that will almost certainly kill you if something goes terribly wrong. So what do you do? Well, you don’t panic, and you hope you’re carrying a few extra towels, or at least a change of clothes. Sure, everyone you come into contact with is at least slightly crazy, but at least you’re not panicking.

Or sometimes travel is more like an Isaac Asimov story. Maybe you’re traveling to a place you have never been to before and you face an I, Robot dilemma. Really, how were you supposed to know that these new people had the potential to be as intelligent as you? In the end, however, you realize that all you have to do is find the main computer and unplug it—or at least hope they let you check out of the motel without any hidden fees or costs. Again, don’t panic.

And if you suddenly find yourself traveling into Frank Herbert’s Dune, don’t worry about it. If you come across some weirdoes that are addicted to some unusual local substance, it may not be that bad. After all, they know how to ride the sandworms, instead of being eaten by the monsters. Just explain to them how you are actually their prophesied leader, and all will be well. They probably won’t kill you.

So the next time you travel, take some sci-fi books with you to read. Sure, maybe you won’t get any great or profound insight about traveling by reading books about unreal things, but at least you won’t be bored. And most importantly, you won’t feel the need to panic.