To go where I had never gone before…

I feel like to wrap things up I should write a post to reflect on the semester as it comes to a close. In my lifetime of reading, I had never really read science fiction… or so I had thought. It quickly became clear in the course that SF, to those who are unfamiliar with it, is represented by false stereotypes. A novel or short story does not necessarily have to focus on technological developments to be considered SF. I feel in order to fully take anything out of the literature we read, I needed to close my mind of all preconceptions and read with fresh eyes.

I don’t think, at this point, that SF is any easier to define. Unlike other genre’s, I feel what makes something SF is dependent of perspective. What I consider to be SF might not be exactly what someone else considers to be SF.

I thought the concept of Aliens/alienation was implemented in interesting and unexpected ways within the anthology. Alien + SF = Short green cone headed person with funky weapons… obviously. The idea that aliens within  SF could be humans was a break through moment in my learning. It has also been interesting to consider the representation and involvement of women within the genre, which I actually ended up writing my term paper on.

An incredibly memorable moment, was the joy in being present for the honorable Dr. A. L MacNeill’s once-in-a-lifetime presentation. How Dr. Jones managed to book this busy, influential scholar, is beyond me. But his words of wisdom from that class will stay with me for a lifetime!

Photo One: http://www.ravenware.ca/images/Blind.jpg

Photo Two: www.pod-planet.com

Photo three: http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v203/144/99/587985427/n587985427_1000906_4103.jpg

…speech sounds like freezing rain

I read Speech Sounds first, because something about the title intrigued me. I’m not going to lie though… the name Octavia may, or may not, have had something to do with it as well… ps, sweet name. In the second paragraph it becomes apparent that people are unable to use words to communicate with each other. At first I was wondering how you could ever get into an argument without using words… and then I reflected back into my high school years, when some girl had her friend punch me in the face because she *thought* I looked at her weird. And then I realized… shit. Imagine how much violence there would be if no one was ever able to fully/completely express/explain themselves. They have managed to create various gestures they all understand, but certainly they would never be able to communicate -completely- with one another.

Something I thought was interesting was the idea that “Left-handed people tended to be less impaired, more reasonable ad comprehending, less driven by frustration, confusion, and anger” (514). Obsidian (who’s name is only established later on in the story) confirms Rye’s depiction of left-handed people as he “made no sound, refused to respond to clearly obscene gestures” as the bus “driver gesture[d] threateningly” (515). Another interesting part of the short story was went we discovered that because these left-handed people were more reserved in their actions, it was considered an “attitude of superiority” which “was frequently punished by beatings, even by death” (515). So I wonder if it’s the “attitude of superiority” or the fact that they are the least impaired that cause people to be hateful toward them. This makes me consider the Chrysalids – the Zealanders stated they had their strongest telepathic people breed together to make babies with even stronger abilities, so why then, would the people within the short story not have the same idea about those who were least impaired? Why not join together, make babies and hope that your abilities grow stronger through them? The encounter with the children toward the end of the novel almost confirm the theory is possible. We watch as Rye considers the possibilities to explain their fluent speech: “…they must have been born after the silence. Had the disease run its course, then? Or were these children simply immune? Certainly they had had time to fall sick and silent … What if children of three of fewer years were safe and able to learn things? What if all they needed were teachers? Teachers and protectors” (524).

I think one of the reasons this was so interesting, is because whenever someone imagines issues in the future, I think we consider lost limbs… few natural resources, fatal diseases, etc. I think people consider its inevitable for our health to go at some point… I just don’t think anyone considers the idea of the world becoming silent. I don’t think losing your ability to talk/read/comprehend is ever considered because its not something we think someone or something could ever take away from us. Its most certainly something we take for granted. So I’m going to stop typing and go appreciate it haha!!

Photo One: http://www.speechsounds.com/images/homepage_sign.jpg

Photo Two: http://www.leftorium.com/images/leftorium_400.jpg

Photo Three: http://www.freehealthandwellnessinfo.com/health%20wellness%20articles%20-%20apple%20image.jpg

Presentation

This is our Power Point Presentation for 21 February 2008. dk2.pdf

Until next week…

I’m not going to be able to make it in this week.

I’ll pretend we’re doing a conference call and I’m involved, though!

See you all next week.

Isn’t it funny…

Isn’t it funny how easily your emotions and personal opinions can be caught up simply by reading a few short pages of fiction? I started off this week by gazing mindlessly at the titles of our required readings and decided, upon a chuckle, to start with His Vegetable Wife because, well… I assumed it would be tasteless to write about a comatose individual and therefore after assuming that that was not the case, decided to assume again that it must be a humorous piece. However, I was quite wrong. A few paragraphs into the text I began to notice that Flynn, our burly farm man was an odd one. Clearly it is a good idea to grow a wife, right? What bothered me the most about Flynn was that, because he ‘assured’ himself she felt no pain (after all, thats what the instructions claimed) he was able to justify being violent and cruel. This is somewhat opposite of past experience seen within The Chrysalids because they at least felt remorse for “things” which appeared to be like themselves. Now, while a dark olive-coloured-sap-seeping “individual” is hard to imagine, I still visualized her with a conscience and emotions since she was self-aware. So it saddened me to experience (because it was like an experience) her go through Flynn’s abuse. It made me consider how many real women are trapped in abusive relationships, unable to get away. Although the idea of man-made creations turning against man to commit murder is a disturbing thought, I was happy the vegetable wife had killed him. Put the bastard in his place. And the idea of her planting him… loved it! However, at the end I was imagining someone coming over to visit, finding her with a shovel near a freshly buried area in the back yard and the idea greatly amused me. And so did this video via youtube.

Photo: http://bp1.blogger.com/_xs2wdzJN8m8/RfEes0srsHI/AAAAAAAAAA8/eHz-rQ21FGs/s1600/vegetable.jpg

Homelanding… the power of red compels you!

I said it in class and I’ll say it again. I think this story is amazing. Margaret Atwood is amazing. I think one of the most interesting lines within the story is: “A window is a window, but there is looking out and lookin g in” (794). This describes perfectly what happens on a daily basis as people interact with others from different beliefs and cultures. Its overly easy to look -out- and it is far too difficult to properly look -in-. Its as if it is unnaturally difficult to view/consider yourself as an outsider. Even when placed in a drastically different environment, you think “wow is this ever different from back home” rather than “wow. Am I ever different then them”.

“On the top of my head, but not on the front, there is an odd growth, like a species of seaweed” (794). Attention class, I had my seaweed equivalent growth highlighted today. I must say it looks quite good. Which makes sense, since its “probably decorative” in purpose (794). The idea of “invisible fluid [that] we swim in” just makes me giddy (794). I used my “bony protuberances” tonight to “destroy and assimilate” pizza so that I can “change [it] into myself” (794). I would try and incorporate the prong/cavern references into my own life, like I did with the others but… damn. You can think we all bonded this semester but I still don’t think we’re -that- close.

One of the most humorous sections is when Atwood discusses the difference between sleep and death. Its an aspect to our traditions I’ve never before considered. Reading the description containing food, flowers, and music, it is no wonder for one to be confused with the concept of sadness. This is an incredible piece of literature. It forces us to consider ourselves as the outside. We have become alienated a planet.

Photo One: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/MargaretAtwood.jpg

Photo Two: http://newsinfo.iu.edu/pub/libs/images/usr/2123.jpg

Photo Three: http://www.stationnight.com/Homer-Sleep1.gif

Winter Flies *bzzzz*

In The Winter Flies, Leiber exposes an evening in which each member of the Adler family attempts to escape the mundane through various ways. The father escapes through conversations with various forms he imagines. The wife escapes through her visual arts. The son escapes through his imagination. While majority of the story is centered around the father while he converses with the various forms, I believe that ultimately the story’s focus revolves around Heinie’s struggle which is subtlety constructed throughout the short story.

The mother first becomes away that there is an issue when the appliances (yes, appliances) talk to her. I must say, since doing my paper and realizing the struggles women have head within this genre of literature, I find it horribly amusing to see a woman getting her spidey senses from her refrigerator and the like. She then gets a warning from the Furnace… Something I find interesting, however, is how she never really seems to take these warnings seriously. I mean in one hand, how seriously can you take a warning from an appliance, but obviously she’s dealing with some internal conflicts to be self conscious of her child’s safety to begin with. On page 179 the mother notices that two children she has drawn on a swing were not attached to anything. As she begins to attach them she stops to consider “Wasn’t it all right for some of the children to go sailing out to the stars?” which is sort of sick to consider given that her child is currently “in space” (via his imagination).

The story continues on saying “she didn’t like to have to do all the wondering by herself. It made her feel guilty” as if she wants her child to get lost in space. The mother within this story is not very maternal. When Heinie run’s into issues in space, it is through his father’s guidance that his father provides for him. I wasn’t sure how seriously to take any of the incidents within the story. I didn’t know if this was all imagination or if they considered this to be a serious thing…

Photo One: http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/media/images/s/l/R_Fly_1_image_130.jpg

Photo Two: http://www.crayoncastles.com/i/Waverly/Outer_Space_5814930.JPG

The Chrysalids

First off I must say that never having read something like this previous… I greatly enjoyed this book! It was one of the rare occasions I didn’t feel like I was being forced to read something for class.

As I was reading through this novel, I was constantly considering religion and the conflicts that resulted from the characters beliefs. Lisa wrote on her blog:

“The book also spoke to me on another level; being the parent of a child with obvious physical differences, I wondered if the world could ever become so uncivilized and deteriorate to the way of life demonstrated in Waknuk. Thankfully, although discrimination and ignorance still exists and likely always will, we seem to be moving overall toward a more enlightened view of individuals with differences. Let us hope that we never experience a real-life Waknuk…”

Personally I feel this world has made no positive progression toward a better/less discriminating world. While people are understanding and empathetic toward individuals with physical and mental differences, there are many other aspects that are still being “attacked” (for lack of a better word).

Take a moment to consider all that is going on in various parts of the world. Almost every country is daily fighting (though not always so loudly) a religious battle. Canada appears to be such a nice, friendly country which welcomes its arms to diversity… but I garantee you things are not as peaceful as it seems. Many English quietly hold hostility for the French and vice versa. People from various countries move here frequently which creates a clash of believes (i.e when a young child was told they could not wear their “head piece” (sorry) during a soccer game, when the sports regulations forbid anything to be worn in the head. Or consider the Muslim women who feel it is their religious right to wear their “veil” (sorry) while voting when the Canadian Law prohibits anything that prevents proper identification during the voting process. In Ireland the Catholic/Protestant battle is still being fought, etc etc).

All of this just brings me to page 64 of the text when Uncle Axel says:

“…a lot of people saying that a thing is so, doesn’t prove it so … nobody, nobody really knows what is the true image. They all think they know – just as we think we know, but, for all we can prove, the Old People themselves may not have been the true image”

There are multiple religions within the world and they all believe theirs is the “true” religion which brings along closed-minded arguing. On page 156 the Sealand woman says:

“When their conditions were primitive they could get along all right, as the animals can; but the more complex they made their world, the less capable they were of dealing with it. They had no means of consensus. They learnt to co-operate constructively in small units; but only destructively in large units. They aspired greedily, and then refused to face the responsibilities they had created *cough George Bush*. They created vast problems, and then buried their heads in the sands of idle faith.”

Sounds just about spot on to the world I live in…

P.S, I can’t believe Michael didn’t go!!

The Times… they raise good points.

While reading through the article from the New York Times, the paragraph which reads:

“In a fantasy story,” Aldiss says, “there’s a big evil abroad, but, in the end, everything goes back to normal and everybody goes home to drink ale in the shires. In a science-fiction story, there may be a terrible evil abroad, and it may get sorted out, but the world is f***ed up for ever. This is realism. It’s certainly not beach reading, unless you can find a really nasty, shingly beach.”

got me thinking. This allows me to easily categorize the Harry Potter series as fantasy due to the fact that the ending of each book consists of everyone picking up their life and continuing on the way they were prior to whatever it is that happened. Since the idea in SF novels is that after the evil subsides the world is still effed, I think this may be what bothers so many people – it’s similar to the aftermath of real life events. Perhaps reading such novels is jut too close to home for some people. I mean… we live in a fairly paranoid society, reading a SF book just adds one more anxiety to consider. An outside evil attacked America in 2001 leaving the country devastated… under different circumstances the ‘idea’ of it could have made an interesting SF novel.