Are science fiction/fantasy writers insane?
keepingthedoor.com
keepingthedoor.com
In Stranger in a Strange Land, perhaps Heinlein’s most famous work, he pre-empted or perhaps even caused much of the sexual enfranchisement of the 1960’s and 1970’s [...]
This is crucial. In order to get distance from the assumptions that govern our modern lives, and why they do or don't work.
Expanding the possibility space gives you the perspective to see how you fit into the universe.
But I'm curious to know which ones are your favorites. A lot of Star Trek is at least to some degree moralizing - often about accepting other cultures (although sometimes its more obvious than others).
Neal Stephenson, Charles Stross and lots of others give you these nice little ideas that are just a little bit into the future, some of it is within reach if you try hard enough.
Maybe not quite the way they see it but still, plenty of hooks to hang a new project off.
Spec fiction authors are thinking ahead and pondering how things might be - based on to some extent how things are now. You don't have to be barmy, but as the author suggests, you have to think differently - which of course can be mistaken.