Science Fiction and Socialism
Social Science Fiction and Utopia: Ruhşen Doğan Nar’s “Wake Up!” Long Story
Meltem Dağ
Ruhşen Doğan Nar’s long story, “Wake Up!” is related to both socialist science fiction and a utopian/dystopian universe as it covers the possible problems as well as possible conveniences brought about by new technology. As Burcu Kayışçı Akkoyun stated, “Just as utopia and dystopia writers design alternatives to the social, economic and political systems they exist in, science fiction writers set out with a similar purpose.” (Kayışçı Akkoyun 35). In a story where social science fiction and utopia coexist, an equal and happy society is depicted. An idealized society model is presented by touching on social and political problems. Yet it has been seen that utopian fiction, when combined with an artificial intelligence-based machine, leads to dystopia. In this combination, the relationship between human and machine is also questioned. Dangerous situations that artificial intelligence can cause and areas where it provides benefits have become a part of utopia. In this context, it can be concluded that the long story “Wake Up!” makes an important contribution to both social science fiction and utopia.
Writer and teacher Ruhşen Doğan Nar’s long story “Wake Up!”, published in 2018, is an important utopian story that combines science fiction with socialism. In this article, the contribution of Nar’s long story “Wake Up!” to science fiction literature will be examined in terms of the relationship between utopia and dystopia in social science fiction and artificial intelligence.
A Socialist and Utopian Community: The Army of Truth
Approaching the phenomenon of management from a social and historical perspective is important for solving current problems and approaching utopianism. While management can be defined as the activities of groups that cooperate to achieve common goals without being interested in history, it is possible to accept the statement that it is a human relations phenomenon and a social need that has emerged alongside other elements of human history (Güler 22). In managerial issues, which are widely discussed during periods of depression and crisis, the ‘ideal society,’ ‘ideal state,’ and ‘ideal system’ models have all been tried, taking into account the deficiencies and flaws of the ‘existing’ system. While these utopian designs were being considered, the social, political, legal, economic, religious, and architectural factors that make up the state were also being taken into consideration, and regulations on many issues such as social, political, legal, economic, and architectural elements were included in the designs (Şan 1).
Within the fictional world of the story, the surveillance and control mechanism is in the hands of a single administration. Those who are trapped in this system and those who oppose it are divided into two groups: the Army of Lies and the Army of Truth. The Army of Truth has planned to design the software for an artificial intelligence-based machine (night machine) and rebel against the system when the time comes. Depicting the machine as the smartest invention, even if it is a product of artificial intelligence, is important in terms of the struggle to regain freedoms. In another sense, though, the Army of Truth can be seen as a community that opposes the current system with the idea of living a utopian life. A male member of the Army of Truth infiltrated the night machine and an individual rebellion thus began:
Lie, lie and lie… It’s all a lie, a big lie! What they tell you is a complete lie, Hasan. They have been deceiving you for years. They are blatantly making you look like a fool. They are making fun of you. They turn you into a sheep with happiness pills. They turn you into living robots. They want you not to think, not to oppose, not to object and not to criticise. They want you to bow down, join the herd, keep your head up and be grateful for your situation. They say, “An imam for every neighborhood, a safety for every neighborhood!” For your own good, they say. In fact, they just want the reign of lies to continue. (Nar 13)
The capitalist system is shaped in the opposite way to the individualism of socialism. Because socialism does not recognise social inequality and capitalist modes of production as the cause of all intellectual and social conflicts. In order to gain a foothold in society, capitalism needs lies, not truth. With its organs of power and structure it has the organisation to perpetuate this lie. Within this order, “security” and “law enforcement” departments maintain their functions the most. As it is seen in the excerpt from the story, the lie of the government is maintained with the help of “security.” Instead of individuals who criticise, think, object, share and reassure, which is the structure of socialism, a society that obeys everything will benefit the government. With this structure, the government takes people for “fools.”
Attention has been drawn to the problems highlighted in relation to the emergence and visibility of the truth and the lying to people. Turning people into mechanical robots and making them obey is important for the continuity of order. The voice of the male individual, who continues to talk and warn from the night machine, makes some statements about Hasan’s awakening to the truth:
But now the monkey has opened its eyes, Hasan. The end of lies has come. The truth cannot be hidden. When the truth is revealed, the lie looks for a place to escape. The truth is growing, Hasan. The facts come into existence step by step. You are now an integral part of this body. You are one of those who do not take happiness pills, do not believe in lies, do not bow down and know the truth. When the time of reckoning comes, you will be one of those who take their revenge on them. You will put lies into the ground. Forever… (Nar 13)
According to the story, one of the steps in the establishment of a utopian socialist society is the night machine. In politics, “lying” statements and attitudes are very common among governments. The idea that these lies will come to an end one day is thought to be safer and easier with the adoption of socialism instead. The continuity of the existing order is implemented by the government with thoughts such as the suppression of socialist thought, ignoring an equal life, and the proliferation of lies.
The Army of Truth states that the power is in the hands of a system that does not question the facts, is capitalism-oriented, and has no freedom. The characteristics of the life form within the order built by the system are as follows:
They have billions of loans in the bank. Moreover, they earn hundreds of thousands of credits per month, but they see even a thousand credits per month as too much. They distribute alms to you under the name of ‘Citizenship Income’. They treat you like a beggar. They say seven hundred and seventy-five credits are more than enough. They say, don’t ask for more, be content with less. They insult you by calling you “Citizenship Earners.” They see you as useless. They describe you as a parasite, but they are the real parasites. They are arrogant towards you with the loans they inherited from their grandfathers and fathers. They earn credit after credit without moving their fat asses. While robots do all the work, they earn credit without moving a muscle. Because they have robots. And you have nothing… (Nar 14)
The level of development and tax structures of countries give a clue to the kind of system they are governed by. The tax policy proposed in a socialist society will undoubtedly be different from the capitalist system. For this reason, the main point of the social state’s relationship with tax policies is the understanding of “equality.” But this idea is adopted only by socialists. Since the government does not observe the principle of equality in the distribution of taxes, it keeps different taxes on the agenda. This tax diversification is not welcomed by individuals and is a financial burden. In addition to the standard taxes, additional taxes in return for many services increase the economic pressure in the society. The “citizenship tax,” which is planned to be levied on every citizen, humiliates the individual and turns them into slaves and servants. The disrespect shown to individuals in society is likely to continue to diversify with taxes on them. This order, which is contrary to the understanding of a socialist society, is still current today.
With the evolution of utopia into socialism, the biggest contribution made in terms of the history of utopia was the determination of an actor who would bring the desired new social order to life. Accordingly, the ‘working class’ was seen as the actor that would bring the upside-down society back on its feet by realizing the new social order (Bal 7).
They make their living with the taxes they receive from you. They live luxurious lives. While you cannot eat real food, they eat meat, vegetables and fruit at every meal. They consume all kinds of fruits and vegetables while nothing other than tasteless salt-free pills passes down your throat. While you are living a kind of prison life within four walls, they are wandering outside in the gardens of paradise. That’s not enough, they go on space trips and then talk about freedom. You are free, they say. We are all free, they say. True, they are free, but you are not! When you try to enter their gardens of paradise, you see true freedom with your own eyes. Their guards, armed to the teeth, shoot you in the head the moment you set foot on the green grass. What happens next? On the evening news, “A terrorist was neutralized.” “It is said and passed on.” (Nar 14)
The understanding of freedom in the capitalist system can be associated with activities such as people’s constant work, lack of time for holidays, lack of time for entertainment and rest. The progress of this system benefits the capitalist order. Social activities organised with the taxes collected from the people emphasise “freedom” to individuals with the label “you are free too.” However, the capitalist order often does not defend a comfortable life and freedom in many areas. Socialism, which defends freedom, secures labour by introducing democracy. Socialists with an egalitarian understanding of freedom do not go to targeting as the government does in the evening news. This self-interested way of understanding shows that democracy does not exist.
The Army of Truth emphasizes socialism, equal rights, and a free life through the use of the night machine. They say that people are no different from slaves under capitalism, and that if injustices are not opposed, freedoms will gradually decrease. Since the call for justice and unity will be provided by a social state or community, the announcement calls made over night machine symbolize a utopian state approach. That’s why it uses the slogan “the weak must unite against the strong.”
Everything has a lifespan, Hasan, even the lies… One day, dirty laundry will come out. The dirty laundry of those who enslaved you is revealed. Thousands of people are learning the truth. They are listening to the truth. Right now, right now, this minute! You are not alone, Hasan. Today you are thousands of people, tomorrow you will be tens of thousands. You will be among those who plant the flag of truth in the castle of lies. You will be among those who dethrone the parasites. The day of judgment is getting closer. It’s time to take out the guns. Get ready, Hasan; Get ready for battle! The short straw will take its toll from the long straw. Be sure! (Nar 15)
Socialism is in search of rights, law and justice. They do not back down for every struggle in this sense. The number of people seeking rights and justice is also high. Socialists, who fight all kinds of difficulties on this path, have the understanding that the righteous will win one day because they are in search of justice. This way of understanding emphasises utopian socialism as it is based on creating a world/life where people live happily and fraternally. In a world of lies and evil, there can be little talk of happiness and peaceful living.
The treatment of social and societal issues in utopias coincides with the idea of establishing an ideal society/state. For this reason, it is normal that social science fiction and utopia already have common aspects. Because aims such as changing the existing order and providing a perfect life touch on social issues, they are the focus of science fiction as well as the main subjects of utopia. In the story, in Kaptan’s words emphasizing socialism, he states the following:
They don’t exist, they were all caught and executed after they produced me. They were not even taken to court. But this was not unexpected. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone. They also knew their end. Sooner or later, they would fall into the hands of the state. Grasshopper account. They set out risking death. That’s why they created me and gifted me to the world before I was caught. People are mortal; A person’s life is a bullet. But algorithms are immortal. They will continue to live as long as computers exist. (Nar 23)
Reshaping the outcome of each social doctrine in the existing order arises from the idea of establishing an ideal society. The ideal society shapes a utopian society with the establishment and formation of a social state order. As can be seen in the excerpt from the story; especially in times of crisis and crisis, the “ideal society” model is tried to be created by taking into account the deficiencies, mistakes and failures of the existing system in administrative matters. As a result, the ideal life is integrated with utopian social science fiction.
Regarding the day of reckoning, the Warriors of the Army of Truth have begun to implement their plans. The password they set between them is coded as “real.” Warriors of the Army of Truth are a community that wages a socialist struggle to live in a more comfortable, safe, and prosperous society. This community is aware that they must be a pioneer in that struggle. That’s why they emphasise the socialist struggle for a utopian life.
By explaining the attack of artificial intelligence, the state labeled them as terrorists. The night machine was closed by a law aimed at curtailing its influence. It was later collected and destroyed. Kaptan, who started preparing for a very different action in another country, infiltrated the education system in schools. He continued to tell the truth to children using the robots he captured.
As a result, when we look at the relationship between utopia and management thought, it can be seen that in utopias that promise happiness, there are different forms of management in which the desire for a better order and management is sought and the answer to the question of how this can be. Utopias attract attention as an alternative form of management. In other words, the purposes of writing utopian works are directly related to management and managers. Utopias attract attention as an alternative form of government. At this point, philosophers who were dissatisfied with the management style of their period and were fed up with the practices of the rulers, implemented the management style and state model they had constructed to reflect their own desires and dreams, sometimes with their works and sometimes with their ideas on an active level (Avcı 380-381).
Artificial Intelligence Product in Dystopia: The Night Machine
With the advancement of technology, people’s living standards have also changed. In addition, artificial intelligence can be seen in the devices or programs used today. Thanks to the devices developed by various companies, today there are artificial intelligences that can perform many functions, even if limited, including chat. As artificial intelligence increasingly enters our daily life, conspiracy theories about it have begun to emerge, such as the idea that they will begin to oppose the human race or claim that they are superior (Sarı 29).
The shift in language from past to present is directly related to technological and scientific developments. The advancement of technology alongside a developing society has turned foreign words such as internet, e-mail, and Instagram into universal words. In addition, a coding language was developed to learn the language of artificial intelligence and computers, and thus, a new language production was also seen in the language of science (Sarı 29).
The notable dystopian elements in the“Wake Up!” story are happiness pills, electronic faces, artificial intelligence-based customer services, smart walls, citizenship income, security, drones, breathing masks, 3D printers, and the night machine. The night machine is itself an artificial intelligence product. This artificial intelligence-based product, which shows itself from the first paragraph of the “Wake Up!”story, is no different from a piece of software that is a constant stimulant, transferring the points earned to the user for advertising and information purposes, and is charged with the imposition of the capitalist system. The fact that Hasan starts his day with the warning sound of the night machine as soon as he wakes up from sleep is an indication that artificial intelligence can be present at every moment of human life.
Didit didit didit didit didit… Good morning, Hasan. A perfect day awaits you. Today is Wednesday, the sixth of May. You slept exactly eight hours and twenty minutes that night. You earned eight credits while you slept. Congratulations! There are currently fifty-five total credits in your account. If you want the credits you earned… (Nar 1)
With the development of artificial intelligence and big technology processes, the capitalist system manifests itself with the power of capital. The dystopian elements in the story are helpers serving the capitalist system. The announcement of the night-matic device every morning shows the situation to which individuals who are trapped in a settled order as a result of a monotonous life are exposed. This frightening dimension of artificial intelligence appears as a normal and ordinary event in dystopia. Artificial intelligence directs the order with its robotic activities. The power of winning is presented as a service to individuals in society with the help of a machine.
Night machine kept talking non-stop. It was sitting on the bedside table, in the right corner of the bed. Hasan stretched out his arm without opening his eyes. He silenced the machine by touching it. He took off his headphones. “What a relief “he said to himself. “This crap never ceases to nag in the early hours of the morning.” (Nar 1)
These conversations are perceived as audio reflections of holographic advertisements that constantly remind one that, in a dystopian world, it is artificial intelligence that distributes credit. The perfect progress of technology over the years has contributed to the interaction of man and machine. With this contribution, the strengthening of learning techniques has enabled artificial intelligence to operate at a higher level. As seen in the story, the machine, which is a product of artificial intelligence, has undertaken an important task.
It is the stimulant that attracts the most attention among the night machine announcements. Since it is an artificial intelligence-based software, even if a user who encounters a problem complains about the night machine, this problem is not solved. An artificial intelligence-based customer service bot appears before the complaining user. Most of the customer service is female. In the long story, Demet and Sema are the two female names seen from the customer bots. Communication with female customers is terminated abruptly. This call continues for days. The character Hasan is surprised when he comes across a male bot customer representative in his third attempt, because he thinks that all bot representatives are women. Women and women representatives are at the forefront in the workforce to be made using artificial intelligence in many fields. In a dystopian universe, artificial intelligence programme producers who want to benefit from the voice and charm of women bring women to the forefront. In a dystopian society, it is normal for women to always be in the sectors where artificial intelligence is used due to the male-dominated understanding. It is unclear what attitude a utopian idea that dreams of a social state understanding will have about the place and importance of women in artificial intelligence.
The night machine, a product of artificial intelligence, has damaged the social and private relationship between two individuals. As a result, her detachment from reality and increasing alienation occur. The function and mathematical intelligence of the night machine, a product of artificial intelligence, have created predictions about what a machine can do. This indicates that artificial intelligence has reached a level where it can surpass the human mind. It is seen that utopian fiction, in the sense of the struggle to regain human freedom, turns into a dystopia towards the finale.
Conclusion
Utopias are an innovative form of action presented to society for peace and goodness. This proposal is offered not only to a certain community, but to all humanity. In utopias, the existing social order is criticized, whether it be openly or secretly.
For this reason, existing political powers have always been against the idea of implementing utopias. Socialist ideas and thoughts shaped around socialist science fiction are based on utopia, with the idea of creating a collective and ideal society. It is normal for a socialist utopian life not to be accepted by the government and to be contrary to the actually existing methods of government.
As seen in long story “Wake Up!”, the Army of Truth, supported by artificial intelligence and aiming to live in a more comfortable, better, and ideal society, has opposed existing capitalist system and power. To combat this situation, they created the software of the night machine. The impact of working hard, sharing labor, and creating common areas of struggle, even in small communities, has been seen even more as the number of people who no longer believe capitalist lies increases. The supporters of the government, described as the Army of Lies, could not escape the truth and realized the power of the unity of the socialist people.
WORKS CITED
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Meltem Dağcı graduated from Ondokuz Mayıs University after majoring in computer programming, then went on to Anadolu University, where she was graduated from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature. In recent years, she has become interested in science fiction and fantasy. Her stories, articles, and interviews have been published in various magazines and newspapers. She has been continuing her conversations with the Writer’s Room in Literature News for four years. Her The Other Side of the World science fiction story book was published by Ithaki Publishing in May 2023. She is currently attending Mersin University Institute of Social SciencesWomen’s Studies in theirNon-Thesis Master’s Program.
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