David S. Goyer: Finding Humanity in Stories of Robots, Clones and Gods | Guest Column

By David S. Goyer

In interviews, I’m frequently asked if I can identify a grand theme running through my work. The truth is, I rarely think about whether a particular project fits within said theme when I’m in the middle of it. But just because I don’t consciously ponder it doesn’t mean that it isn’t percolating beneath the surface. And it’s only afterwards, when viewed through a more distant lens, that those subconscious themes become more obvious to me.

Let’s start with why I’m drawn to these big, ambitious genre projects. On a surface level, I believe science-fiction and fantasy work best when they function as mirrors reflecting back on our present condition. Dig deeper and I would tell you that I’m most interested in stories that ask what it means to be human—even when the main characters aren’t strictly human at all. That’s the theme that unites my work on “Foundation,” “Murderbot,” and “The Sandman.” Each of these series, in its own way, explores identity, self-awareness, and the search for purpose.