Final answer:
The author's comparison of living architecture to science fiction on page 6 emphasizes the innovative and seemingly futuristic nature of such technology, resonating with themes of societal change that science fiction often explores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author refers to the technology of living architecture as "like something from a science-fiction novel" on page 6 to highlight how advanced and unconventional such technology appears to be. In science fiction literature, authors often explore scientific and technological concepts that are not yet realized, sometimes set in the future or in alternative realities. These technological wonders, while based on scientific principles, often push the boundaries of our current capabilities and provoke thoughts about societal and environmental impacts.
Living architecture, a concept which involves integrating living systems into the built environment, may seem as fantastical as the space-faring or planet-scale engineering feats found in science fiction. It is a field that challenges our conventional views of buildings and urban design, thus tapping into the essence of science fiction—innovation so advanced that it sparks the imagination and seems presently out of reach.
Science fiction isn't just about technology, but also about exploring potential societal shifts. These explorations serve as a form of commentary on current societal issues, challenging the reader to consider the implications and ethical dimensions of technological growth.