The short story I read for week 12, investigating the diversification of science fiction as a genre, was I Live with You by Carol Emshwiller. This story was particularly interesting because its rather difficult for me to see where it actually falls into the science fiction genre. The writing is beautiful and the nuanced changes in language slowly transforming from the use of "I" to "We" to "You" as a reflection of how the main character views her relationship with Nora was extremely well done, however, the overall plot felt much more like a psychological thriller to me. The whole 'someone's hiding in your house without you knowing' seems like a rerun of a Criminal Minds episode as opposed to something like say Star Trek that is classic science fiction. (Though I could concede that the general eeriness of the idea could fit well something like the Twilight Zone.)
That being said, I do think it can be argued that it does pertain to the diverse position science fiction in a rather round about way. Nora's imposter and Nora are in completely different socio-economic spheres though the language used is equalizing and the imposter identifies with her so strongly that she blurs the line between their two selves almost completely in some parts of the text. It can be argued that this is some bastardized parody of the "we're all the same inside" line of thinking though it is a bit or a grasping at straws argument and less of a concrete lesson depicted in the text.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Week 11: Cyberpunk and Steampunk
For this week's reading about science fiction sub genres cyberpunk and steam punk I read the short story Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson. For an eleven page short story Gibson managed to pack a whole lot of world building into the story. The idea of trafficking important data encrypted in a storage system inside someones brain, the futuristic equivalent of cocaine balloons in the abdomen, is genius. In the future, and even now, data is knowledge and knowledge is power. Creating a high stakes transaction for all parties involved. Also, as a side note, though some may find it a bit heavy handed the fact that the main character, one such data trafficker, is named Mnemonic is a clever detail that makes me satisfied.
This short story is pretty classically cyberpunk, from the cybernetic body enhancements to the general seedy punk aesthetic, but perhaps the most stand out feature is the badass cyberpunk chick Molly who comes sweeping in out of nowhere with her scalpel nails and becomes Johnny's dynamic duo. She embodies the classic punk alpha female though on a personal level I found their first meeting a bit cliche. It is a bit hard for me to accept her decision to insert herself into the middle of this fight for no other reason than she "enjoys mystery." While the cryptic line is use many of the cyberpunk main ladies to make them seem mysterious, alluring, and in general an abnormal force of nature I still view it as a bit of a cop out to avoid having to write dynamic female characters.
This short story is pretty classically cyberpunk, from the cybernetic body enhancements to the general seedy punk aesthetic, but perhaps the most stand out feature is the badass cyberpunk chick Molly who comes sweeping in out of nowhere with her scalpel nails and becomes Johnny's dynamic duo. She embodies the classic punk alpha female though on a personal level I found their first meeting a bit cliche. It is a bit hard for me to accept her decision to insert herself into the middle of this fight for no other reason than she "enjoys mystery." While the cryptic line is use many of the cyberpunk main ladies to make them seem mysterious, alluring, and in general an abnormal force of nature I still view it as a bit of a cop out to avoid having to write dynamic female characters.
Week 10: The Fiction of Ideas
For this week I read the short story, "Repent, Harlequin" Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison. The story, true to the fiction of ideas movement, is certainly less about the adventure earlier science fiction works embraced and more about speculation and a dystopian future. Though it was written in a rather disjointed manner that, in my opinion, not even short stories can pull of with much success, the ten page short did bring up rather important ideas regarding our culture and how technology has been increasingly speeding life up and creating more order while removing any flexibility and individuality.
In this short story time is the most precious commodity and wasting even a minute or two of it results in punishments from the Ticktockman. The job of the Harlequin character was to expose the horrors of this reality and show the need for moderation. While punctuality and structure are not inherently bad, this is an extreme future that reminds us of the importance of balance and to slow down once in a while. Advice that is definitely still needed today, maybe even more so.
In this short story time is the most precious commodity and wasting even a minute or two of it results in punishments from the Ticktockman. The job of the Harlequin character was to expose the horrors of this reality and show the need for moderation. While punctuality and structure are not inherently bad, this is an extreme future that reminds us of the importance of balance and to slow down once in a while. Advice that is definitely still needed today, maybe even more so.
Week 9: Space Opera
The Star by Arthur C. Clarke is a short story that I read for this week's space opera lesson. While only four pages this introspective story offers up enough information for me to confidently agree with its space opera classification. The first and fore most criteria in this science fiction sub genre would be the fact that it is located in or pertaining to space. In this story a group of human explorers proceed to investigate a small nebula slowly expanding from a supernova star. The story doesn't shy away from exploring the more technical aspects of space and space travel associated with science fiction but also contains the melodrama necessary to be an Opera.
This operatic drama is provided in a rather unique way, using ideas like alien civilizations to examine and age old and forever relevant quandary of how can God allow bad things to happen if he exists. This story is told by a Father who finds himself questioning his own faith and unable to keep up that of the crew after discovering the last remnants of a beautiful civilization, much like humanity, which had been slowly preparing for their mass extinction due to the degradation of their star. Whether fiction or reality, mass deaths like these always invoke the feeling of divine abandonment and leave humans wondering 'why?'.
This operatic drama is provided in a rather unique way, using ideas like alien civilizations to examine and age old and forever relevant quandary of how can God allow bad things to happen if he exists. This story is told by a Father who finds himself questioning his own faith and unable to keep up that of the crew after discovering the last remnants of a beautiful civilization, much like humanity, which had been slowly preparing for their mass extinction due to the degradation of their star. Whether fiction or reality, mass deaths like these always invoke the feeling of divine abandonment and leave humans wondering 'why?'.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Week 8: Contemporary Urban Fantasy
Prompt: How was myth reinvented within the context of the story you read for this wee? In what ways were the myth made relevant to the contemporary world?
Response:
For this week, while we did have recommended reading, the general rule of thumb was anything by Neil Gaiman's was a prime example for Contemporary Urban Fantasy. Keeping that in mind the book I chose to read for this week was one of Neil Gaiman's children's fantasy novels called The Graveyard Book. This contemporary urban fantasy about a lost boy on the run being adopted by creatures can be hailed all the way back to Romulus and Remus though maybe a bit of a better fit is The Jungle Book. Bod is hunted by Jack just like Mowgli is hunted by Shere Khan, both boys are raise and protected by various ghosts or animals until a the end fight and victory. But sadly both Bod and Mowgli have to leave the graveyard and jungle and return home in the end.
For this week, while we did have recommended reading, the general rule of thumb was anything by Neil Gaiman's was a prime example for Contemporary Urban Fantasy. Keeping that in mind the book I chose to read for this week was one of Neil Gaiman's children's fantasy novels called The Graveyard Book. This contemporary urban fantasy about a lost boy on the run being adopted by creatures can be hailed all the way back to Romulus and Remus though maybe a bit of a better fit is The Jungle Book. Bod is hunted by Jack just like Mowgli is hunted by Shere Khan, both boys are raise and protected by various ghosts or animals until a the end fight and victory. But sadly both Bod and Mowgli have to leave the graveyard and jungle and return home in the end.
In Class Assignment: How do you see your future
1. How do you see your future in 2027
I see my future 10 years from now working in an urban center, married to my partner with 2 cats, and living in a multi room apartment. Optimistically we will be running on clean energy and reducing our carbon emissions but realistically due to capitalist monopolies the science for going green will be hidden and undermined by oil companies and climate change will cause the water level to rise enough that anywhere I actually want to live on the coast will probably be gone.
2. How do you see your future in 2050
At this point I don't know if my career choice will still be valid given how easily crippled the economy is. Honestly I don't expect the world to still be functioning in any sort of way and a lot of us will probably die pre mature deaths.
3. How do you see your future in 3000
I will definitely be dead. The world is burning.
I see my future 10 years from now working in an urban center, married to my partner with 2 cats, and living in a multi room apartment. Optimistically we will be running on clean energy and reducing our carbon emissions but realistically due to capitalist monopolies the science for going green will be hidden and undermined by oil companies and climate change will cause the water level to rise enough that anywhere I actually want to live on the coast will probably be gone.
2. How do you see your future in 2050
At this point I don't know if my career choice will still be valid given how easily crippled the economy is. Honestly I don't expect the world to still be functioning in any sort of way and a lot of us will probably die pre mature deaths.
3. How do you see your future in 3000
I will definitely be dead. The world is burning.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Week 7: The Novel of Spiritual Education
Prompt:Fantasy of this type is pointed at young adults to help instruct them in the complexities of navigating the world. In what way were complex moral issues and spiritual challenges presented in the work you read for this week?
Response:
For this week, instead of reading Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, I went way back and revisited the first Harry Potter book by J.K Rowling. It had been so long ago since I had read that book that I am fairly certain I was young enough my parents actually read it for me. So, after having grown up and read the rest of the series by myself, I decided it was time to go back and revisit The Sorcerers Stone with a fresh eye. The first thing I noticed was that the book was a lot more whimsical than I remembered, and the characters so young. This really drove home the concept of growing up with the series, the characters plot and writing matured as I matured creating such an sort of uncanny bond with my generation that will probably never go away.
Putting aside the heavy dose of nostalgia for a second, looking back as a more mature and analytical reader it becomes apparent that The Sorcerers Stone, as well as the rest of the Harry Potter series, is just chalk full of moral lessons. It's practically a how to guide for our young and half formed moral barometers as children and this comes as no surprise seeing as the entire series is essentially an amalgamation of various folklore and myths across the globe used to teach lessons. At the very heart of the series is the message "love trumps evil" repeated over and over again, as seen through the power embedded in the sacrifices Harry's family and friends make for him, most notably his mother's love saving him from the death curse. The importance of family and friends are emphasized as well as the innate value in all people, regardless of bloodline or financial status, and that courage comes in all forms (Thank you Neville). All together the messages paint a pretty wholesome picture and are a great way to drive home love and acceptance in all who read the books.
Response:
For this week, instead of reading Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, I went way back and revisited the first Harry Potter book by J.K Rowling. It had been so long ago since I had read that book that I am fairly certain I was young enough my parents actually read it for me. So, after having grown up and read the rest of the series by myself, I decided it was time to go back and revisit The Sorcerers Stone with a fresh eye. The first thing I noticed was that the book was a lot more whimsical than I remembered, and the characters so young. This really drove home the concept of growing up with the series, the characters plot and writing matured as I matured creating such an sort of uncanny bond with my generation that will probably never go away.
Putting aside the heavy dose of nostalgia for a second, looking back as a more mature and analytical reader it becomes apparent that The Sorcerers Stone, as well as the rest of the Harry Potter series, is just chalk full of moral lessons. It's practically a how to guide for our young and half formed moral barometers as children and this comes as no surprise seeing as the entire series is essentially an amalgamation of various folklore and myths across the globe used to teach lessons. At the very heart of the series is the message "love trumps evil" repeated over and over again, as seen through the power embedded in the sacrifices Harry's family and friends make for him, most notably his mother's love saving him from the death curse. The importance of family and friends are emphasized as well as the innate value in all people, regardless of bloodline or financial status, and that courage comes in all forms (Thank you Neville). All together the messages paint a pretty wholesome picture and are a great way to drive home love and acceptance in all who read the books.
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