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Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction

Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction. “No Place” Model of the good society Unrealistic daydream. “The Good Place ” Ambiguity of terms Dream place. Utopia Eutopia. Aspects of Utopias. Art Consumerism Time – energy Social responsibility Punishment Women / Sex

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Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction

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  1. Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction

  2. “No Place” Model of the good society Unrealistic daydream “The Good Place” Ambiguity of terms Dream place Utopia Eutopia

  3. Aspects of Utopias • Art • Consumerism • Time – energy • Social responsibility • Punishment • Women / Sex • Education and upbringing

  4. Works • Aldous Huxley – Brave New World, 1932 • James Hilton – Lost Horizons, 1933 • B. F. Skinner – Walden Two, 1948 • George Orwell, 1984, 1949 • Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451, 1950 • Aldous Huxley – Island, 1962 • Philip K. Dick – Do Androids--, 1965

  5. Dystopia • Society unworthy of humans • Totalitarian state (1984, Kallocain) • Developmental derailment (Fahrenheit 451) • No choice • No freedom • No alternatives • Equilibrium

  6. Dystopias • Social restrictions • Egalitarian – no excelling • Only the State • Religion as control • Family non-existent • City / Nature • Politics / Control

  7. Dystopias • Economy: state / individual • Back-story • Technology – future • No Visitor – but a Hero • Confrontation with powers • No success • Subversion / Escape

  8. New Wave • Mid-60s • Concern for humanistic values and experimental techniques • Brian Aldiss (Hothouse, 1962) • James Ballard (Crash, 1973) • Harlan Ellison (A Boy and his Dog, 1969)

  9. Cyberpunk • 1980s • Decentralized societies • Dominated by technology and science • Style mirroring the confusing and dazzling world (post-modernity) • William Gibson – Neuromancer, 1984

  10. Questions • Compare and contrast the Utopias / Dystopias in Gulliver’s Travels and NielsKlim. • Focus on the descriptions of: • Education, Ethics, and Morals • War and Enemies • Politics • The Prince and his Court • Everyday Life

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