[SFRA-L] SFRA 2012: Session Call for Papers: The Neuroscientific Turn in Science Fiction, Deadline April 6

[Allen, Virginia [ENGL]]

What does it mean to say that SF is an evolutionary byproduct?  Is all fiction an evolutionary byproduct?  For example, do Harlequin romances arise as a means of sublimating sexual frustration?  Are fairy tales an evolutionary byproduct to prepare children for the  scary business in life?

Are papers from the SFRA 2011 available?

V.Allen
________________________________________
From: sfra-l-bounces at charlemagne.cddc.vt.edu [sfra-l-bounces at charlemagne.cddc.vt.edu] on behalf of Jason Ellis [dynamicsubspace at gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 3:36 PM
To: SFRA List
Subject: [SFRA-L] SFRA 2012: Session Call for Papers: The Neuroscientific Turn in Science Fiction, Deadline April 6

Hi all!

At SFRA 2011 in Poland, I participated in a well-attended session on
brain-related topics in science fiction. I presented my paper on a
cognitive approach to science fiction, in which I argue that science
fiction arises as an evolutionary byproduct that acclimates us for a
rapidly changing present and prepares us for an uncertain future.

This year, I propose another session or sessions for the 2012 SFRA
conference in Detroit with an emphasis on brain and mind topics in
science fiction with the tentative title, “The Neuroscientific Turn in
Science Fiction.”

Topics may include, but are not limited to: brain hardware vs. mind
software, narratives that focus on the physicality of the brain,
ontological and epistempological problems arising from brain surgery
or physical injury, the spectrum of human experience as a result of
different brain development and impairment, human brains and
experience vs. other brains and experience, hard neuroscience in
science fiction, what is the history of brain-related stories in SF?,
etc. Papers on any SF medium that address this topic are welcome. I
intend to talk about the relationship of Philip K. Dick’s health
problems and his development of brain disorders and damage in his
fiction.

If other SFRAers are interested in presenting a paper on a
brain-related topic, please send me your paper abstract and contact
information, and I will forward these to Steve Berman in the session
proposal. The deadline for submitting an abstract for this session
proposal is April 6.

Best, Jason

--
Jason W. Ellis

PhD Candidate, Kent State University

Vice President, Science Fiction Research Association

Visit my Science Fiction Studies blog at http://dynamicsubspace.net/
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