The Paradox of the Posthuman : Science Fiction/Techno-Horror Films and Visual Media

ISBN-13: 9783639143799 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 256 str.

Julie Clarke

Opis

In the past two decades the concept of the posthumanhas emerged as a discourse within philosophy, sciencefiction, cultural studies and contemporary art. Since it is co-existent with the growth of advancedmedical and communication technologies, the posthumanis framed by ideas of mutation, evolution and thedevelopment of a species that re-writes what isgenerally conceived as human. The definition of theposthuman draws on both humanist and anti-humanistconcepts that suggest a profound paradox. This bookexplores the nature of these paradoxes in popularculture, film and art. It examines the way paradoxis central to the very nature of the posthuman andconsiders the changes, contradictions and ideologiesinherent in the posthuman and how these affectdiscourses of the body. In particular it providesclose readings of the films Alien Resurrection,GATTACA, Crash and Strange Days, as well as a chapteron the performance artist Stelarc. This book is idealfor those interested in philosophical anthropology,anti-humanism, eugenics, genetic engineering,prosthetics, ethics, science fiction films, art andscreen studies.

O autorze

Dr Julie Clarke was awarded a PhD in Cinema Studies from The
University of Melbourne in 2005. She is an Honorary Fellow in the
School of Culture and Communication. She has been published
extensively in Australia and Internationally.