Doctoral Stuff

[oneirophrenia]

I think I've finally found my doctoral dissertation topic: a survey of transhumanist themes in sci-fi from the late 1800s (H. G. Wells) to the Bleeding Edge of Today (Charles Stross), paying particular attention to the ways in which cultural factors 1) influenced the predictions or tropes mentioned in the literature; or 2) were actively influenced by or just grew to become similar to those in the literature. An example of (1), for instance, would be Wells' future society of Morlocks and Eloi as logical extrapolations of Victorian British social stratification. An example of (2) would naturally be Gibsonian cyberspace. Even though my background to date has primarily been in horror lit, I've become so heavily involved with transhumanist writing in the past few years that it only makes sense I do something with that as well....And since I'll be weaseling my precybernetic ass into WVU's doctoral program sometime in the near future, well, might as well combine the two interests!

And now, off to bed, to dream of electric sheep.

Comments

[mellawyrden.livejournal.com]

Your topic sounds fascinating. It appeals to my Frankenstein obsession.

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

Lord, I am positively obsessed with the Frankenstein myth as well! Which reminds me...need to get back to work on my what-if novel concerning Victor NOT abandoning his monster and building others--one of whom "grows up" to be a serial killer, of sorts, in late Victorian London...in a dingy shithole end of town called Whitechapel. I mean, where else are you going to get spare ovaries and stuff to manufacture more of your mutant race of alchemial superbeings!

[mellawyrden.livejournal.com]

I love your story concept!!! I'm stunned by this idea. Will you let me read it when it's ready?

[lyssabard.livejournal.com]

Brilliant. DO IT.

[oneirophrenia.livejournal.com]

Check out Orion's Arm RIGHT NOW.

You and your new media/hypertext interests...me with my rabid transhumanism. Put the two together and we might be able to make a serious study of this site.