I found a thread this morning on the Extropy chat list between Natasha Vita-More, president of the Extrophy Insitute, Stephano Vaj (artist & commentator) & Damien Broderick (science fiction writer) who were discussing my book: The Paradox of the Posthuman: Science Fiction/Techno-Horror Films and Visual Media,VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Saarbrücken, Germany, 2009.
http://lists.extropy.org/pipermail/extropy-chat/2009-July/052356.html
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Apparently my 'critical studies language' is annoying, they are pleased that I mention Max More (transhuman and futurist philosopher) and that my popular culture references are useful to transhumanist theories (particularly my chapter on Alien Resurrection). Funniest thing was Natasha wanted to know whether to call me Dr or Ms if she meets with me in Melbourne in November this year. Perhaps she is attending the 'Super Human: Revolution of the Species' Conference? I must email her and make contact.
I'm happy to report that my book is in the National Library of Australia and many University libraries and that the Univesity of Melbourne has asked me to present a lecture on 'Transhumanism' in 2010.
In the past two decades the concept of the posthuman has emerged within philosophy, science fiction, cultural studies and contemporary art. Since it is co-existent with the growth of advanced medical and communication technologies, the posthuman is framed by ideas of mutation, evolution and the development of a species that re-writes what is generally conceived as human. The definition of the posthuman draws on both humanist and anti-humanist concepts that suggest a profound paradox. This book explores the nature of these paradoxes in popular culture, film and art. It examines the way paradox is central to the very nature of the posthuman and considers the changes, contradictions and ideologies inherent in the posthuman and how these affect discourses of the body. In particular it provides close readings of the films Alien Resurrection, GATTACA, Crash and Strange Days. This book is ideal for those interested in philosophical anthropology, anti-humanism, eugenics, genetic engineering, prosthetics, ethics, science fiction films, performance art and cinema studies. (Backcover of my book).
I thought the extropian project had "concluded", which was the word used when the institute closed. How quaint all those ideas seem when we (Aussies) spend 40 billion on a public internet but only 4 billion on public (affordable) housing.
ReplyDeleteMax More and the extropians (and there are a lot of them) are very active. Though I think it is primarily a USA based thing. They are into nano-technology, life extension, cryogenics, genetic engineering, etc. etc. the betterment of the human! Does anyone ever ask these people who decided that these biotechnologies and advances would actually make life better. Is it all just a way of playing into the hands of scientific researchers?
ReplyDeleteWhat's the name of the character in Bruce Sterling's novel who is 200 years old,doesn't function anymore, stinks, has wires & tubes connected to her body so that she can continue living? Whoever she is - I wouldn't want to be her!
Australian government is spending 40 billion on broadband internet primarily for business and education because that's when the money is - you and I both know that people who need public housing don't make any financial contribution to the country - they might make other contributions, but they're usually perceived as sucking the life blood out of the nation, so why would the government bother spending an equitable amount of money on public housing or for that matter, nursing homes? Let's face it, when you're old, sick, disabled, on a pension or unemployed you're not high on anyones priority list!!
The betterment of human beings is achieved by the provision of food clothes shelter proper health care and free running water. Seems to me the extropians seek to apply the tech behind those things to individual human bodies; I don't think the tech scales from the body politic to the human body like that; dimensional and temporal changes cause the distortions/malformations of bodies you mention.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Steve & we could add education to the list.
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