Fantasy and Science

I just finished reading Chet Raymo's article "Dr. Seuss and Dr. Einstein" where he discusses the connection between science and fantasy in children's literature. I find this really interesting because I realize the similarities between science and hypertextual thinking.

Raymo believes that children's fantasy is a good precursor to science because it teaches children to think out of the box-- to be creative in the connections they draw--to believe that the unseen can still exist.

If this is true, then either fantasy is also a good precursor for computer programming or computer knowledge is also a good precursor for science. Maybe this isn't an either or situation-- maybe it's both.

Hypertext is great for the hyperactive mind. Thus the common prefix hyper. Hypertext does a couple of things for its readers-- it allows them to break off and look at things they're interested in, and it allows them to trail off to a new direction when they are no longer interested in their current path. Fantasy does not allow the reader to go wherever he/she pleases. But, it does take the reader off the beaten path.

I think there is more of a connection between children's literature and technology than simply video games and movies that are made about books for children. Children's fantasy and technology are both attempting to shape the way children think.