Those who walk away from Omelas by Usrsula K. Le Guin tells the tale of a city called Omelas. It is a utopian society but the one downfall is that the wellbeing of everyone who lives there is dependent on the suffering of one child. In the story all of the inhabitants of Omelas knew the horrible things that were done to the child but they all ignored it. I asked a few people if they would want to live in society like Omelas. Most of them said no, because of the child’s suffering. I think everyone who said no is lying. The reason I think that is many people all over the world suffer everyday so we Americans can live a more comfortable lifestyle. I think most people are aware of this fact.

Sweatshops in china are one example of people suffering for the American dream. Nike is a prime example of this. They employ underage children, withhold employee’s wages, make people work 12-14 hours a day. All so Americans can get their sneakers a little cheaper. Just look around the next time you are walking in a public area you cannot avoid the Nike logo. Most people know of the poor working conditions the Chinese have but many still turn a blind eye and continue to purchase products made in china.

Diamonds are shinny and pretty, lots of Americans want them. About 25 percent of them that make it to America come from Africa. Natives in Africa fight wars over the right to sell us diamonds. Africans will go and wipe out whole towns of people. They also enlist the help children to fight. The pretty jewels that come from war stricken areas are called Blood diamonds. I think many Americans are aware of this evil as well. A movie called The Blood Diamond came out few years ago. This movie told of the horrors going on in Africa. But still Americans will buy blood diamonds to save a few dollars.

These are just two examples of millions of people who suffer to support the American way of life. I could give many more examples, but I think two is enough. If you live in America millions of people suffer for your comfort. So any American who is happy with their way of life would love to live in Omelas. Just one child suffering is much better than the millions who suffer now.

Futuristic Evolution

Science fiction since its creation has inspected what would eventually be capable with technology and what humans would eventually be able to do with the technology. But, what if humans would eventually use technology to be able to change themselves entirely, thus creating their own evolution and in turn completely controlling their own fate?

An example of this that can happen in the near future is shown in Gattacca. In this movie, humans were using laboratories to scan egg and sperm combinations choosing the optimum version of the parents’ potential child's genes. This way of having children has, by the time of the movie, become the 'normal' version of having a child. Reading genes also started take over the potential someone was perceived to have by dictating what job position someone was able to obtain. I believe that if this method is used for many years that eventually humans will choose their own course in their evolution.

But, there will come a point where there are no longer new desired genes. When this happens, what can the human race do to continue growing as a species? I have not found a good example of humans having gotten to this point, but several aliens from science fiction have. These aliens have found ways of combining the best of other species with their own DNA. One example comes from Lilith’s Brood. The Oankali use their third sex, ooloi, to scan the genes passed from one generation to the next. They used this to make themselves look more humanoid and eventually combined their DNA with human DNA. They helped humans in a 'trade off' of DNA. They have reached a stagnant point in their own DNA and must incorporate other species' DNA into their own in order to survive and to evolve. The ‘visitors’ for V are similar to this. They want human DNA to progress their own evolution as well. They give humans some of their technology in order to earn their trust while actually adapting the environment and the humans themselves for the benefit of the visitors. They capture and kill humans secretly to extract their DNA to eventually use in their own genetic evolution as they have for many other species across the universe.

The most extreme form of a species taking control of their own evolution is Star Trek's Borg. At some point long ago, a species installed mechanic parts into themselves becoming what they consider 'perfect beings.' They grew to have one collective mind capable of talking to one another via space while losing the sense of individuality of any Borg. They have enhanced strength, stamina, and the ability to survive for periods without water, food or even air. The Borg inseminate other beings into their collective giving the Borg more variety and more individuals. They also learned quickly from their mistakes, changing the Borg to fit whatever obstacles that were faced. For example, if one was killed by a laser blast, the next would be become immune to the frequency of that laser.

These examples show what could be theoretically possible in the human race's future. But which one would we eventually become like? Would we just manipulate our own DNA into what we think is the 'perfect’ human? This however does not leave chance for mutation of DNA which is how a species changes to new stimuli, eventually making the species maladapted to the universe. Will we eventually find a way to cross-breed with other species and use their best genes to better our species? If we do, will we help the other species or will we just take the genes and leave? If we use machines to change our own evolution, will we inseminate them into our collective and say "It is for their own good?" I believe all of these are possible in the future of humans due to how the species acts now; many care more about their own good than the good of others.

More Scifi Genres & Stephenson vs. Heinlein

More Scifi Genres & Stephenson vs. Heinlein

Hi scifi fans; I’m back. You may remember me, the football player who really doesn’t like science fiction. Maybe I should use my label from my first blog, in the words of Robert Heinlein, “I am only an egg” in the scifi world. Yes, it’s me, you must remember the egg.
Today my blog has to do with more of my newly acquired knowledge and my observations or insight to different genres and authors of science fiction.
Cyberpunk is another type of science fiction that I had never heard of before. This genre is based in futuristic times where science and technology have run wild and created problematic societies. Movies like Bladerunner and The Matrix fit into this category. The novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, is also categorized as cyberpunk. A few other types of science fiction genres that I thought worth mentioning are time travel, humorous science fiction, military science fiction, utopias and dystopias. Time travel scifi is simply stories that involve some sort of traveling through time, either forwards or backwards. Humorous and military science fiction deal with exactly what their names suggests. Humorous scifi deals with science fiction mixed with humor, while military scifi deals with science fiction mixed with wars, military groups, or military type war tactics. Utopias and dystopias are both associated with the science fiction genre. Utopias are stories that depict some sort of perfect society. It is usually described as a paradise. Dystopias on the other hand are the direct opposite. They are stories that describe or depict dysfunctional societies or societies that were functional and then have gone horribly wrong. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin is an example of utopian science fiction. The movies Gattaca, Brazil, and Fahrenheit 451 are all examples of dystopian science fiction. Some scifi novels and movies often contain both utopian and dystopian themes, sort of like comparing and contrasting.
Next, I’d like to comment on my observations of two highly praised and successful authors of science fiction, Robert Heinlein and Neal Stephenson. In my first blog I commented on Heinlein and his 1961 novel, Stranger in a Strange Land. I commented on it being labeled by many as perhaps the most famous science fiction novel ever written, and the novel that introduced the best sellers list to the genre of science fiction. I also mentioned the novel’s many social, moral, religious, and political themes and how it influenced the society of the 60’s and 70’s. I said in my blog that his novel may have served as an introduction into or a vision into the future of the care-free, make love – not war hippy society of the 60’s and 70’s. So now I am asking, should we believe that this was a prophetic vision or a case of society being influenced by things they read and saw? Now, let’s consider and compare Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel, Snow Crash. Noted differences were the different times they were written, about 30 years difference, and the genre, with Snow Crash being cyberpunk. Snow Crash is definitely written in a different style than Stranger in a Strange Land. Snow Crash is basically two stories weaved into one. Reality seems to be one story while the virtual computer world, Metaverse, seems to be the second. For example, in the reality part of the novel “snow crash” represents the latest drug of choice, while in Metaverse, the internet world, “snow crash” represents a new deadly computer virus. I found more similarities than differenced even though the different genres. Stephenson has also been praised for his work and his novel Snow Crash has won awards too. Both novels use social, religious, moral, and political themes, both use controversial subject matter, language, and sex, and both have a futuristic prediction type theme even though that may have not been their intention when they were written. Both novels create new ideas about what the future may hold.
Personally I think that Snow Crash should be labeled a humorous cyberpunk. Stephenson uses a style of writing in this novel that has extra, perhaps unimportant, paragraphs filled with humor, slang, and ordinary direct speech. I think this humorous writing style made the novel fun reading. I read a blog that stated the Stephenson admits that several people have told him that the companies they work for use his novel, Snow Crash, as a motivational tool to stress the importance of new enervative inventions of cutting edge technology. So, again I ask should we believe that this novel, Snow Crash, like Stranger in a Strange Land has some prophetic visions of the future or that they simply influence society by introducing creative inventive ideas for the future. Again, I conclude that science fiction is a matter of personal interpretation – take it as you may.

The Question of Sentience

One of the most iconic characters in science fiction is the android. The term 'android' is the combination of the greek word for 'man' and the suffix '-oid', meaning 'having the form or likeness of'. Many writers and directors have used this term from Auguste Villiers' L'Ève future and Isaac Asimov's short story Robot Dreams to Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek: The Next Generation. The most common description of an android is a robot, or synthetic organism, that is designed to look and behave like a human being. A theme that is commonly addressed in science fiction is what separates an android from a human. If androids are meant to preform exactly like humans then at what point does an android, essentially, become a man? There is much contention as to whether or not an android can come to be sentient. Both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Isaac Asimov's Robot Dreams address this.

A famous television series, Star Trek: The Next Generation constantly approaches this subject. One of the main characters, Data, is a sophisticated android with a positronic brain who is constantly trying to discover what it truly means to be human and obtain it. In the episode, The Measure of a Man, Data is on trial to either prove or disprove that he is a sentient being. If they prove he is not sentient he would be disassembled and studied so that Star Fleet could make many more androids like him, a fleet of Datas. Captain Picard, who has grown to view Data as a good friend, comes to his defense. He knows that if they find his friend insentient they’d disassemble him which would, very probably, lead to his death. During the trial the prosecutor, Commander Riker, demonstrates Data’s unparalleled strength, the fact he was created by a human and that he, like other machines, can be switched off. Picard, who had been feeling overwhelmed by the evidence against Data, talks with Guinan whom he occasionally goes to for advice. She tells him that Star Fleet’s plan was, ultimately, going to create a slave race regardless of whether or not the population was made up of machines. Picard then conveys this to those in the courtroom. When is it alright to take advantage of any population in such a way? Data had met two of the three requirements that Star Fleet said constitutes a sentient being. Data possessed intelligence and he was self-aware. The third requirement, consciousness, is harder to define. The judge, Louvois, admits that she does not know how to prove or disprove if Data is a conscious being. How could someone be sure? Ultimately Louvois rules that Data has the right to choose. That he is sentient. She muses;

“Does Data have a soul. I don’t know that he has. I don’t know that I have. But I have got to give him the freedom to explore that question himself.”

Star Trek does a pretty good job with discussing the concept of androids gaining sentience. The writers consider what criteria they would use to determine what a sentient being should possess. For instance, they say that a sentient being should possess intelligence, self-awareness and consciousness. However, these criteria are hard to pin down. Intelligence itself could mean many things; the aptitude for learning, reasoning, or even the ability to grasp social cues. Being self-aware could mean that you are cognizant of your emotions and your individuality. Nevertheless, 'consciousness' can mean being aware of one's existence. Data is conscious of the fact that he is a robot, however it could be argued that he is only cognizant of that, and not conscious of his actual being like humans are. Yet Data is able to hold normal relationships with others and become connected in the same ways that humans do. For instance, he knows many people who he considers to be friends and who consider him a friend as well. Not only that, he was also able to have a romantic relationship with a fellow shipmate, Tasha Yar. This is normal for human beings and Data was able to interact in the same way. These are just some of the reasons why Data can be considered more than just an android.

Isaac Asimov's Robot Dreams also explores the evolution of androids into sentient beings. In this short story revolves around a robot, Elvex, the doctor that made it, Dr. Rash, and a robopsychologist named Dr. Calvin. Dr. Rash had brought Elvex in because the robot had had a dream as a result of Dr. Rash putting in a new fractal designed brain. A robot having dreams had been unheard of before then. When asked what it had dreamed about, Elvex had responded that dreamed that all that a lone human was controlling all the robots. Elvex went on to describe how it had been the man in its dream. When Dr. Calvin heard this, she terminated the machine as it could have been a danger to humans. In Asimov's world there are Three Laws of Robotics:

1- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2- A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

In Elvex's dream, the first two laws no longer existed and that the third law had been modified so that a robot must protect its own existence. Dr. Calvin had been worried that if Elvex had gone on existing that it could led to a robot rebellion against humans, seeing how, in its dreams, it had established that a robot should do what it must to protect itself. She saw this as a step forward in the evolution in robots. In this story a robot had begun to recognize its own existence in a world where robots are used for hard manual labor. When questioned, Elvex knew of what was happening to the other robots and knew that it had been normal for its kind. It knew of the struggles that its fellow robots went through and had felt a kind of kinship to them for it which he was able to express through a dream because of the advanced brain he had. If the robot in Asimov's short story was to be judged on the criteria that the writers of Star Trek had set forward then it might also be considered a sentient being. Elvex had intelligence, self-awareness and consciousness of itself and of its own kind.

In many science fiction novels and television shows often try to tackle the question of robot’s humanity. Whether it is the capacity to care, be self-aware or even to dream, the concept of androids gaining sentience is a very powerful and reoccurring theme in science fiction. When does an android evolve and when does an android acquire, fundamentally, a soul? Some note that it may be the possession of intelligence or being self-aware. Maybe it is the ability to recognize one's own being and our significance in the universe. Nonetheless, it is an intriguing notion.

The Dispossessed and The Women's Liberation Movement

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin embodies the “second-wave” feminist movement of the 1970’s known as the Women’s Liberation Movement. Anarres embodied the ideals of the Women’s Liberation Movement while Urras embodies the exact opposite of the movement’s ideals.

Odonian society borrows heavily from Women’s Liberation Movement. A major aspect that reflects the feminist movement is jobs on Anarres. Jobs on Anarres reflect six second-wave feminist ideals:

“0 Men and women should not be stereotyped by their gender roles. 4. Jobs should be done by whoever can do them, and gender is largely irrelevant to this. 5. Women should have equal access to jobs with men. 6. Marriage and motherhood should not prevent women from having careers any more than it prevents men from doing so. 7. Women should be able to pursue their careers without having where they live determined entirely by their husbands' jobs. 18. Childbirth is a natural phenomenon, not a disease. Women should be able to return to work shortly after giving birth.” (wsu.edu)

Odonian jobs are cataloged and assigned in Divlab. Divlab does not stereotype by gender and assigns jobs based on personal ability or the needs of the community. All citizens have equal access to Divlab and are free to decline postings that they do not want to do. There is no marriage on Anarres so marriage does not affect Divlab’s decisions. When someone is partnered they can request a posting near their partner but this does not affect Divlab’s choices. Children are raised with other children in a domicile. Neither parent is forced to raise their child, but they do have the option. Parents can also send their child to a nursery for care while they work. This effectively removes the deterrence that motherhood can bring to a woman’s career. Divlab assigns postings based the community’s needs. As mentioned earlier a couple can request postings that are near each other but Divlab does not make decisions on job location based on partnerships. This eliminates the influence that a man’s job location has on a woman’s career.

Other aspects of Odonian society are also heavily influenced by the feminist movement. The language used on Anarres was created from scratch once Anarres was settled: “ 9.Language oppresses women: terms associated with them often create a presumption of passivity and weakness. New ways of using language to make men and women more equal are needed (wsu.edu).” Creating a new language helped to remove the notion that men are superior to women. Instead of trying to remove portions of the language that oppressed women, an entirely new language was created. One of the most important factors in Odonian society is one’s relationship with the community. To be an outcast is the ultimate humiliation on Anarres. This was influenced by the feminist ideal that men define themselves by their possessions while women define themselves based on their relationships with others (Wsu.edu). Most decisions on Anarres are made based on how others will view the actions. If a community is upset with someone they may remove them from the meal plan so that the person has to prepare their own meals alone. People that do not follow the societal norms may be forced to leave and must join another community or become a hermit. Odonian views on sexuality are influenced by ideal twelve which states: “Homosexuality and bisexuality should be just as socially acceptable as heterosexuality--as should celibacy (wsu.edu).” Homosexuality and bisexuality are considered normal on Anarres. For example; Shevek prefers women but had sex with Bedap to reassert their friendship.

Several aspects of Shevek’s relationship with Takver reassert that the story was influenced by the feminist movement:

“8. The social emphasis on physical beauty depersonalizes and dehumanizes women. 13. Sex should be a matter of intimate sharing, not of conquest or trophy-hunting. 17. Modern childbirth techniques common in hospitals are dehumanizing and dangerous. Women should be able to give birth at home, without drugs, using such traditions as giving birth in a squatting position. 20. A marriage in which a woman is prized only for her sexual attractiveness and availability is a sort of prostitution (wsu.edu).”

Shevek did not consider Takver to be pretty but when he looked at her he felt she looked intelligent and cheerful. Shevek chose to form a bond with Takver and it had nothing to do with her looks. Shevek felt that compulating, sex, was pointless without a bond to share. Shevek and Takver bonded to share their love and happiness together. When Takver gave birth to their first child she did so at home. Takver did not use drugs to ease her pain and she gave birth in a squatting position.

Perhaps the most significant ideal to be adopted in The Dispossessed is ideal twenty-five: “Great women from the past can provide inspiration for us today; their influence and importance need to be more widely recognized. (Wsu.edu)” Odo was the woman that spurred the revolution that led to the settlement of Anarres. Seven generations after her death and her teachings are still a major part of Odonian society.

Works cited

< http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/science_fiction/dispossessed.html >

A Tale of Two Androids

I will be speaking about the similarities and differences of the androids of Blade Runner and Professor Bracewell, the android that appears in Victory of the Daleks of the T.V. series Doctor Who.

The androids of Blade Runner were workers on off-world colonies. They were being made in the year 2019. They know that they are androids, slaves to the humans, and have a much lesser life cycle than humans. The androids in the world of Blade Runner range from soldiers to glorified sex toys. They were created by humans who seem to begin to lose their humanity. This leads to people having great difficulty from determining who is human and who is an android.

However, there are some androids that decide to return to Earth though they know there is a high chance of the trip ending in their premature death or “retirement” as the humans called it. At the end of the film, Roy saved Deckard and dies, unsuccessful in his quest to prolong his existence.

Professor Bracewell was created by the alien race known as the Daleks. He was created in a plot to bring the Doctor to Britain during World War Two and help them revive their race. He was programmed to believe that he had created the Daleks in an effort to defend Britain and defeat Nazi Germany. Later in the episode, Bracewell modifies three Spitfire fighter planes to defeat the Daleks. The Daleks decide to activate a bomb in Bracewell, but the Doctor with the help of his current companion, Amy Pond, help him realize that he is more human than machine.

The androids of Blade Runner were created by mankind who begin to lose the characteristics of being human while Bracewell was made by an alien race. I found Bracewell being a very interesting character because he was made not only by an alien race, but the alien race has removed all emotions from them with the exception of hate. They had created an android that had memories of good times and even love.

The humans in Blade Runner made the androids to seam realistic even going so far as giving them flesh and blood or substitutes of it. Bracewell is made of mostly of metal with a skin like polymer to make him appear like a normal human.

Both Bracewell and the androids of Blade Runner were slaves of their creators, though Bracewell was unaware of this until the Daleks dropped their disguises. Roy decided to save Deckard at the end and Bracewell help develop fighter planes that could fly in space to help the British from the Daleks. At the end of both, it shows Roy and Bracewell have managed to find humanity within themselves.