The Demographics of Space: More on Being God

Have you ever noticed that in most contemporary science fiction, the demographics of the space ship from the Earth-related clulture will almost always display the equivalent  demographics of the United States (or the UK)? Most of the people will be of European origins. You will have a smattering of minorities—black people, some Hispanics perhaps, some Asians, maybe a Native American (Chakotay on Star Trek: Voyager was a stand-out on this); and, of course, since this is science fiction, you encounter a smattering of aliens as well. Good—they shot for diversity. But it isn’t truly global diversity.

If indeed Earth has come under a single government and if the level of technological culture has risen; if the old wars, racial and religious divides, boundary and land disputes are not anymore; given that, one would expect to see starship crews and colony planets that reflected genuine global diversity. Of course, you don't.

On current sci-fi films or TV, you did not see many Indians, Malays, South Americans, or Arabs. Though these people groups make up a substantial portion of Earth’s population, they are definitely under-represented in places like the Enterprise and Deep Space Nine. This trend seems universal in science fiction films we see. I’ve tried to change that in my sci-fi world. Science Fiction is not my primary genre, but I’ve written and published several stories in that tradition and, in them, try to change the demographics a little bit.

In my sci-fi universe, the predominant race are Indians. India, with its large population, its technological prowess, and skill at agriculture, has populated numerous colony planets and become the dominant cultural force in the Terran Alliance. Europeans are a minority (albeit, an important one) and substantial swaths of other people groups inhabit this universe of mine. Planets are named Planet Lakshmi, Lotus Eyes of Lord Shiva. Starships are The Durga and Arjuna. One shuttle is the Iyengar. An important portal that leads to an alien sector of space is Portal Valmiki. 

Of course, there is Space Station Shepherd (named after astronaut Allen Shepherd) and planets with European names. There a lot of varied peoples milling around, and many of them are important and influential.  But Indian culture is predominant.

Furthermore, there are still nation-states on Earth. One is Italy, which takes in modern-day Italy, much of Southern Europe, and Argentina. The Italian League has dozens of colony planets and is a formidable player in space politics. China also exists as a nation state on Earth, independent of the Alliance government, and is bent on expanding its territory and cultural and political influence.  Not all the players in my space world are British and American. Add some powerful alien races, and you get a very interesting mix.

A book now in production, Mother Hulda, soon to be released by OMG Books, will fully illustrate my sci-fi universe. One story that does show off a little of the diversity I'm shooting for is Antigone, which appeared in a UK publication a little while back.

When creating a science fiction universe, don't make it like suburban Indianapolis or a middle-class neighborhood in London. Think of how certain populations might have expanded or gained influence and power. This doesn't mean dominance, though it might mean tension. The best thing in writing, my most important rule and stipulation, is to have fun with a concept.  Go for it.

Check my Author Page on Amazon. Lots of great texts for sale.

Get a copy of my latest release, The Prophetess. Horror story from the Bible.