From Gulliver’s Travels to 1984, dystopian visions have shaped literary fiction. Why do these flights of fancy influence our reality? How does science respond to these futuristic imaginings? Ben Marcus, author of the remarkable The Flame Alphabet, discusses the interplay of science and fiction as it shapes our future with psychologist Dr Charles Fernyhough, who specialises in child development, memory and hallucinations. This is a live recording of the discussion, chaired by Jennifer Wild, which took place at the 2012 Edinburgh International Book Festival. Supported by the Wellcome Trust.