Techno Dread

For centuries writers, intellectuals, artists, and other creators have imagined probable, near futures in which humanity’s reliance on and embrace of technological innovation leads to troubling or terrifying consequences. Spanning (and often blending) a variety of forms, genres, and media, speculative fiction highlights anxieties that simultaneously captivate and unsettle audiences. What fascinates us about these narratives? What ethical, moral, and existential questions impact our relationship with technology? Can we deepen (and complicate) our understanding of contemporary economic, social, and political issues/perspectives around technology by imagining potential futures? Can the expansive qualities of these narratives be leveraged to empower? What capability do these texts have to challenge consensus, create change, and/or expand our current realities? In this course, we will aim to develop as writers, researchers, and critical thinkers by closely examining speculative texts, from television and film to graphic novels to short stories to video games… and more!