h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

sci-fi movies/novels etc are made because humans fear the unknown, and want to make it feel more familiar. Space is mostly the unknown, so writing about it makes it feel more familiar. (if you get what I mean!!)

Indeed (as Tuvock or Spock might say). Indeed, indeed.
Most of the progress (if any) made in the areas of tolerance of other races, species or lifestyles during the past century comes directly from our interest in science fiction introducing us to new ideas. And re-introducing us to the oldest idea of them all - that 'others' are usually much like us if we scratch the surface and don't judge them superficially by the obvious differences such as colour, race, language, religion, number of eyes or limbs, etc.

It also taught us to resist Police States and Thot Cuntrol.