Apocalyptic/Post Apocalyptic
A story regarding a planets collision
What is The Star by H.G. Wells
Seen in both “The Machine Stops” and “‘Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman”, a person who “behaves in accordance with set standards or customs in society” are known as what?
What is a “conformist”?
The outcome of time traveling in Back to the Future is a positive one, where Marty ends up with a better home life. Why is this positive portrayal of time travel in a present time period important?
It causes a spark in our curiosity, and we wonder what we are capable of. For those watching a movie with time travel set in present time, it makes it seem more realistic. It is a way to get more people interested in science, and how we may be able to advance our world because we are seeing the immediate suggested effects of it.
“The difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves.” - Ayn Rand
Which text illustrates this quote?
Seed Stock by Frank Herbert
A story regarding hackers and their last big job(Bonus points if you can come up with a badass hacker name)
Burning Chrome
From which text does this quote reside?
"The bearded man stood still, made no sound, refused to respond to clearly obscene gestures. The least impaired people tended to do this—stand back unless they were physically threatened and let those with less control scream and jump around. It was as though they felt it beneath them to be as touchy as the less comprehending."
Speech Sounds by Octavia Butler
On the contrary, a person who goes against and challenges societal norms are seen as what?
What is a “rebel”?
How is the snake ring from All You Zombies representative to our understanding of time?
The ring, a snake with its tail in its mouth, represents the endless loop that time appears to be. We do not know where it starts or where it ends. Our idea of time is not black and white, it is an open concept. So, our curiosity in what is possible and what is reality is represented in this ring, as well as how reality could change if just one event was altered.
In regards to attitude towards science, how does Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne compare to the other texts?
This story is less of a warning of the dangers of scientific discovery but more of an encouragement to explore the world.
The best way to live according to the story "Pretty Boy Crossover"
What is "becoming digital"?
A symbol of the harsh effects of the doomsday situation and a last goodbye to the house
What is the dog from There Will Come Soft Rains
“The Machine” and the “Ticktockman” are what society conforms to in these short stories. They could be viewed as what in our society today?
What is “social media”?
What is the human truth about emotion embodied by Gordon Sills?
Gordon Sills demonstrates that humans need a meaningful emotional connection. Because Sills lacked connection with people he knew in his present time such as his kids, he relied on the future and finding Anna for that connection. He fell in love with her through letters because he did not have meaningful relationships in his life with people he knew.
How is Dr. Pollard (the scientist in The Man Who Evolved by Edmon Hamilton) similar to Dr. Frankestein and Rappaccini?
Their obsession with their scientific discoveries leads to loss of morals, power abuse, and a blasphemous God-complex.
Cybernetics derived from the Greek kubernētēs which refers to a pilot or steersman. Related is the Greek word kubernēsis which means “the gift of governance” and applies to leadership. How do these definitions relate to Burning Chrome by William Gibson, who coined the term "cyberspace"?
Technology, which is the foundation of cyberspace, provides knowledge, and thus, power. Those with the most power have the most control and are the leaders of society.
In There Will Come Soft Rains what does the description of the house tell us?
What is the house serves as a warning of the dangers of allowing technology to control everything. The house stands alone as if people are still living in it which allows the reader to see that we must not let technology become smarter than us or distract us from impending danger.
Adhering to the rules of society rather than fighting against it (major theme in dystopian literature)
What is the “loss of individualism”?
What lesson can be learned on the consequences of time travel and how can we apply that to our present society?
We must be careful and not abuse our power. Changing one small thing in the past could spark a butterfly effect and lead to disaster in the present/future. Though as of now we cannot travel through time, it teaches us that we must make our decisions carefully and always consider consequences and how they'll affect others and the future.
What does The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton teach us about evolution?
Evolution is a never-ending cycle. Because it depends on the surrounding environment, it can't be known or predicted. "There [is] some change that we cannot understand"
How is Bobby from Pretty Boy Crossover a reflection of how we see celebrities in our society?
They are exploited for our entertainment and money for those who they work for. We do not give them a lot of privacy, and often forget that they are human beings with rights and not in existence to entertain us at every given moment.