On IAIN BANKS Memoire_dcreuze

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UNIVERSITÉ CHARLES-DE-GAULLE - LILLE III

UFR ANGELLIER

Being a posthuman human enhan!ement in Iain "# Ban$s% &i!tion

"'moi(e p('sent' en )ue *e +a )a+i*ation *e +a *eu,i me ann'e *e"aste( A(ts. Lett(es. Langues et Communi!ation.

"ention Langues. Cu+tu(es et Inte(!u+tu(a+it'Sp'!ia+it' Etu*es Ang+ophones

Da)i* CREU/E

0uin 1231Sous +a *i(e!tion *e "onsieu( +e p(o&esseu( Thomas DUT


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UNIVERSITÉ CHARLES-DE-GAULLE - LILLE III

UFR ANGELLIER

Being a posthuman human enhan!ement in Iain "# Ban$s% &i!tion

"'moi(e p('sent' en )ue *e +a )a+i*ation *e +a *eu,i me ann'e *e"aste( A(ts. Lett(es. Langues et Communi!ation.

"ention Langues. Cu+tu(es et Inte(!u+tu(a+it'Sp'!ia+it' Etu*es Ang+ophones

Da)i* CREU/E

Sous +a *i(e!tion *e "onsieu( +e p(o&esseu( Thomas


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Acknowledgments

Be&o(e I +oo$ at the &utu(e. I ha)e to +oo$ 5a!$ at the past# I ha)e a+6a7s 5een a *e)ou(ea*ing in the most e,t(eme o& times one a *a7# I am not enti(e+7 su(e i& it is a goo* thing o( noto 5+ame is m7 &athe(# 8hen a(oun* nine 7ea(s o+* I sta(te* to (ea* his !op7 o& "i!hae+ En*e L'histsans fin I 9ui!$+7 (ea+i:e* that this pa(ti!u+a( a*)entu(e I 6as em5a($ing on 6ou+* ne)e( see an+i$e Bastian Ba+tha:a( Bu,. I got +ost in the 5oo$ I 6as (ea*ing# An* the ne,t. an* the ne,t. an* 4+* s!ien!e &i!tion !+assi!s &(om the si,ties an* the se)enties most o& them. a $in* o& s!ien!e &g(e6 ti(e* o Sin!e then. I ha)e a+6a7s $ept m7 hea* p(ou*+7 up the(e in the sta(s 6ith m7 stan*ing on the "oon# That is p(o5a5+7 the (eason I e)entua++7 a5an*one* s!hoo+ I ha* &a( toto (ea* to 6aste time in !+ass# Than$s to 7ou *a**7;


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Table of Contents

3# Int(o*u!tion##################################################################3#3 4u( posthuman &utu(e######################################################

3#1 Iain @"# Ban$s##########################################################3# Consi*e(ing


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# # The aestheti! o& the spe!ta!u+a(########################################### Death in the Cu+tu(e#######################################################

# #3 Cheap human +i)es##################################################### #1


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1. Introduction

1.1 Our posthuman future8e stan* on the +ast p(omonto(7 o& the !entu(ies;### 8h7

shou+* 6e +oo$ 5a!$. 6hen 6hat 6e 6ant is to 5(ea$ *o6n them7ste(ious *oo(s o& the Impossi5+e> Time an* Spa!e *ie

7este(*a7# 8e a+(ea*7 +i)e in the a5so+ute. 5e!ause 6e ha)e!(eate* ete(na+. omnip(esent spee*#

Fi+ippo Tomaso "a(inetti. Manifesto of Futurism@3 2

KNo mo(e go*s. no mo(e &aith. no mo(e timi* ho+*ing 5a!$# Lus 5+ast out o& ou( o+* &o(ms. ou( igno(an!e. ou( 6ea$ness. a

ou( mo(ta+it7# The &utu(e 5e+ongs to posthumanit7

"a, "o(e.On becoming posthuman@3

Ten 7ea(s a&te( (e*a!ting the Manifesto of Futurism. in 3 3 . the poet Fi+ippo Tomaso

"a(inetti 6ent on to 6(ite 6ith s7n*i!a+ist A+!este *e Am5(is anothe( in&+uentia+ pie!e Fascist Manifesto. a 6o($ that 6as to &in* man7 e!hoes in Eu(ope in the &o++o6ing t6ent7 7eaI& the Manifesto of Futurism6as 5ut an a(t mani&esto. it a+(ea*7 !ontaine* most o& the *ange(oi*eas that 6e(e to 5e &oun* in the Fascist Manifesto. The *isp(opo(tionate p(i*e sho6n in the9uotation a5o)e is a goo* e,amp+e# Ita+ian Futu(ism 6as anartistic mo)ement 5ut it &oun* theepitome o& 5eaut7 in )io+en!e. as is ma*e !+ea( 57 point nine o& its "ani&esto 8e 6ang+o(i&7 6a( the on+7 !u(e &o( the 6o(+* mi+ita(ism. pat(iotism. the *est(u!ti)e gestu(e o&ana(!hists. the 5eauti&u+ i*eas 6hi!h $i++. an* !ontempt &o( 6oman#J3 It is eas7 to *(a6 pa(a++e+s6ith Benito "usso+ini%sThe Doctrine of Fascism 8a( a+one $e7s up a++ human ene(gies tthei( ma,imum tension an* sets the sea+ o& no5i+it7 on those peop+es 6ho ha)e the !ou(ag&a!e it#J1 The on+7 (ea+ *i&&e(en!e seems to 5e the &a!t that "a(inetti is ta+$ing a5out a(t

"usso+ini a5out po+iti!s# Ho6e)e(. seeing as Futu(ism inspi(e* Fas!ism @5oth *i(e!t+7. un"a(inetti%s po+iti!a+ a!ti)ism. an* in*i(e!t+7. 57 no(ma+i:ing an* aestheti!i:ing )io+en!e in his

3 Fi+ippo Tomaso "a(inetti. Manifesto of Futurism,point nine#1 Benito "usso+ini.The Doctrine of Fascism,p 3 #

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3#3 4u( posthuman &utu(e


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an* ho6 Fas!ism e,p+oite* Futu(ism. 5oth te(ms seem mo(e to 5e &a!ets o& the same !oin#8a+te( Ben=amin e,p+aine* in the !on!+usion o& The 8o($ o& A(t in the Age o& "e!hanRep(o*u!tionJ. in 6hi!h he stu*ie* the g(o6ing in&+uen!e o& te!hno+og7 on a(t.

Fiat a(s M pe(eat mun*usJ +et the(e 5e a(t. e)en i& the 6o(+* shou+* pe(ishO. sa7s Fas!ism. "a(inetti a*mits. e,pe!ts 6a( to supp+7 the a(tisti! g(ati&i!ation o& a sense pe(!eption that has 5ee

!hange* 57 te!hno+og7# This is e)i*ent+7 the !onsummation o& +Pa(t pou( +Pa(t#J "an$in*. in Home(Ps time 6as an o5=e!t o& !ontemp+ation &o( the 4+7mpian go*s. no6 is one &o( itsese+&-a+ienation has (ea!he* su!h a *eg(ee that it !an e,pe(ien!e its o6n *est(u!tion as an aesthetp+easu(e o& the &i(st o(*e(# This is the situation o& po+iti!s 6hi!h Fas!ism is (en*e(ing aestheti

This (e!$+ess in*i)i*ua+ism inspi(e* 57 a(t is a$in to the (e!$+ess in*i)i*ua+ism inspi57 te!hno+og7 &oun* in the autho( o& the se!on* epig(aph o& this 6o($. "a, "o(e. the &oun*e( o&the E,t(op7 Institute No mo(e go*s. no mo(e &aith. no mo(e timi* ho+*ing 5a!$# Let us out o& ou( o+* &o(ms. ou( igno(an!e. ou( 6ea$ness. an* ou( mo(ta+it7# The &utu(e 5e+posthumanit7#J I& "a, "o(e is *e&inite+7 not as !ont(o)e(sia+ a &igu(e as "a(inetti. this state o

a&&ai(s !ou+* on+7 5e tempo(a(7# The E,t(op7 Institute. &oun*e* in 3 an* !+ose* *o6n i6as an asso!iation o& )a(ious phi+osophe(s. s!ientists an* &inan!ie(s# It 6as in &a)o( o&ext(op7. aneo+ogism that has to 5e un*e(stoo* as the opposite o&ent(op7# In othe( 6o(*s. instea* o& +ettingthe 6o(+* (a!e to6a(*s mo(e !haos. it shou+* 5e ma*e to (a!e to6a(*s mo(e o(*e(# The main goo& the mo)ement 6as to p(omote an e)e(-a!!e+e(ating s!ienti&i! (a!e to6a(*s the &utu(e. (ep+athe s!ienti&i!a++7 pessimisti! p(e!autiona(7 p(in!ip+e 6ith a p(oa!ti)e attitu*e to6a(te!hno+ogi!a+ p(og(ess# A!!o(*ing+7. the &i(st p(in!ip+e o& E,t(op7 6as a


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*ange(ous as the i*eas o& the Ita+ian Futu(ists# Ho6e)e(. the mem5e(s o& the institute some6ent a +ot &u(the( than the !ompa(ati)e+7 !onse()ati)e i*ea+s o& E,t(opianism# The g(eat (o5pionee( Hans "o(a)e!. &o( e,amp+e. 6ho is Resea(!h


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un9uestiona5+7 5e an Xinte++igen!e e,p+osion.P an* the inte++igen!e o& man 6ou+* 5e +e&t &Thus the &i(st u+t(ainte++igent ma!hine is the +ast in)ention that man nee* e)e( ma$eJ3 #

4( as Ve(no( Vinge3 6(ote in 3 8ithin thi(t7 7ea(s. 6e 6i++ ha)e the te!hno+ogi!ameans to !(eate supe(human inte++igen!e# Sho(t+7 a&te(. the human e(a 6i++ 5e en*e*J3 # The(e a(eat +east t6o 6a7s to un*e(stan* Vinge%s statement# The pessimisti! )ie6 has o&ten &oun* itsin s!ien!e &i!tion no)e+s an* mo)ies. su!h as in the popu+a( mo)ieThe Matrix&o( instan!e, in6hi!h humanit7 is use* as a giant 5io+ogi!a+-5atte(7 &o( a(ti&i!ia+ inte++igen!es to themse+)es. an* 6he(e human$in* is (e*u!e* to !ons!ious +i&e !onsisting on+7 o& the )i((ea+it7 !(eate* an* !ont(o++e* 57 sai* AIs. The optimisti! 6a7 is the E,t(opians% i& the human een*e*. it 6ou+* on+7 5e on 5eha+& o& the posthuman. 6hi!h 6ou+* ha)e 5een !(eate* 6ith the o& the supe(-inte++igent ma!hines#

It has to 5e note* that i& peop+e +i$e Ve(no( Vinge. I#0# Goo* o( e)en "a, "o(e. a(e g(s!ientists an* thin$e(s. the7 a(e not phi+osophe(s o( histo(ians# As su!h. the7 use the te

posthumanJ nea(+7 e,!+usi)e+7 as this 5eing that !annot 5e !a++e* humanJ an7mo(e 5e!auhis technological enhan!ements# I*eas o& te!hno+ogi!a+ ten*en!ies @Le(oi-Gou(han . oposthuman a+6a7s ha)ing 5een p(esent in the human as potentia+ @Ha7+es. De((i*a . a(e not !onsi*e(e* 57 su!h thin$e(s# This 6i++ 5e pa(t o& the tas$ o& this essa7. to !onsi*e(. (e!ogni:e(esto(e the p+a!e o& the phi+osophi!a+ posthuman in the te!hno+ogi!a+ posthuman#

In the past *e!a*e. the te!hno+ogi!a+ singu+a(it7 has (e!ei)e* t(emen*ous attention &s!ientists an* 5ig !o(po(ations# 4ne te++ing e,amp+e is Goog+e In!#. 6hi!h is the main !o(po&oun*e( o& the Singu+a(it7 Uni)e(sit7 6hi!h

aims to assem5+e. e*u!ate an* inspi(e a !a*(e o& +ea*e(s 6ho st(i)e to un*e(stan* an* &a!i+itat*e)e+opment o&exponentiall" ad)ancing technologies an* app+7. &o!us an* gui*e these too+s toa**(ess humanit7Ps g(an* !ha++enges#3 Emphasis a**e*O

The Singu+a(it7 Institute &o( A(ti&i!ia+ Inte++igen!e. &o( its pa(t. is a non-p(o&it o(gani:ation *e*i!ate* to the *e)e+opment o& 6hat the7 te(me* the F(ien*+7 AIJ# Thei( a(gumis that the inte++igen!e e,p+osion that 6ou+* &o++o6 the te!hno+ogi!a+ singu+a(it7 !ou+*

3 I()ing 0ohn Goo*. Spe!u+ations Con!e(ning the Fi(st U+t(ainte++igent "a!hineJ#3 "athemati!ian an* 6(ite(# Vinge use* the te!hno+ogi!a+ singu+a(it7 t(ope in most o& his &i!tion#3 Ve(no( Vinge. The Coming Te!hno+ogi!a+ Singu+a(it7J#3 Singu+a(it7 Uni)e(sit7 6e5site. FAYJ. http QQsingu+a(it7u#o(gQa5outQ&a9QZmission #

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3#3 4u( posthuman &utu(e


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*ange(ous &o( man$in*. 5e!ause the inte(ests o& a supe(inte++igent AI !ou+* 5e )e(7 &ahumanit7%s nee*s

Supe(inte++igent AIs 6ith a!!ess to pe()asi)e *ata net6o($s an* autonomous (o5oti!s !ou+(a*i!a++7 a+te( thei( en)i(onment# Fo( e,amp+e. the7 !ou+* ha()est a++ a)ai+a5+e so+a(. !heminu!+ea( ene(g7# I& su!h AIs &oun* uses &o( this ene(g7 that 5ette( &u(the(e* thei( goa+suppo(ting human +i&e. human su()i)a+ 6ou+* 5e!ome un+i$e+7#3

Yuite simp+7. the F(ien*+7 AIJ 6ou+* 5e an AI programmed to ag(ee 6ith human 5eings%inte(ests in su!h a 6a7 that it 6ou+*not (en*e( thei( e,isten!e un+i$e+7J#

A++ this ma7 soun* +i$e the stu&& o& s!ien!e &i!tionJ. an* it is this has 5een!onstant theme o& *is!ussion an* e,p+o(ation on the pa(t o& s!ien!e &i!tion autho(s# This *oema$e the potentia+ (is$s o( 5ene&its an7 +ess se(ious. ho6e)e(# It has to 5e pointe* out that mothe &o(me( E,t(opians @in!+u*ing thei( &oun*e(. "a, "o(e ha)e =oine* the p(e)ious+7 mentio(gani:ations. an* a(e 9uite a!ti)e in thei( !a++ing &o( the !onstant a!!e+e(ation o& p(og(ess

them. the F(ien*+7 AI an* the Te!hno+ogi!a+ Singu+a(it7 a(e not the u+timate goa+s ho6e)e(the too+s 6hi!h 6i++ a++o6 the human 5eing to (a*i!a++7 enhan!e himse+&. to a!tua++7become theposthuman as en)isione* 57 the E,t(opians#

As 6ith man7 o& the !on!epts sta(ting 6ith postJ. the p(ope( 6a7 to *e&ine it !onstant+7 *e5ate*. an* most E,t(opians ten* to &o(get the hea)7 +oa* o& ethi!a+ phi+osophi!a+ signi&i!ations this te(m !a((ies 6ith it. usua++7 &o!using on+7 on the teso!io+ogi!a+ si*es o& the te(m# Ro5e(t


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the Te!hno+ogi!a+ Singu+a(it7O# The ne6 no6 se!(etes the o+* then# Humanism (emains#J12 Thatis to sa7. i& the(e is a 5(ea$ &(om human to posthuman. it 6i++ not enti(e+7 e(ase the human. 6ho isgoing to (emain e)en i& on+7 as a t(a!e. e)en i& on+7 as the se!on* stage o& the (o!$etJ#

4ne !an 6on*e( 6hat the posthuman as en)isione* 57 the E,t(opians !ou+* 5(ing to the6o(+* o( ta$e a6a7 &(om it an* in*ee*. man7 a(e 6o((ie*# I& peop+e &(om the )at(anshumanist mo)ements 5e+ie)e that the posthuman. 6ith his ne6 5iote!hno+ogi!a+ po6e(s. 6i5e a5+e to *(amati!a++7 enhan!e the human 5eing 57 !u(ing a++ i++nesses an* e)en *eath!onse()ato( F(an!is Fu$u7ama. one o& the most )o!a+ enemies o& this mo)ement. st(anhshumanism as one o& the 5iggest th(eats &a!ing humanit7 in the &utu(e# In his 5oo$Our !osthuman Future% +onse uences of the (iotechnolog" -e)olution. his (ea*ing o& ou( (ea+it7th(ough the t(opes o& Geo(ge 4(6e++%s $ineteen* ight"*Four an* A+*ous Hu,+e7%s(ra)e $ew&orld ma$es him 6on*e( 6hat 6i++ happen to po+iti!a+ (ights on!e 6e a(e a5+e to. in e&5(ee* some peop+e 6ith sa**+es on thei( 5a!$s. an* othe(s 6ith 5oots an* spu(s>J13 The a!tua+.non-&igu(ati)e (ea+i:ation o& this ma7 seem un+i$e+7 to*a7. 5ut Fu$u7ama is (ight on at +epoint the(e is a )e(7 goo* !han!e that manwillha)e the possi5i+it7 to e&&e!ti)e+7 manipu+agenes in su!h a 6a7. an* the potentia+ *ange(s &o( humanit7 a(e eno(mous# His )ie6 o& the &is *eep+7 pessimisti! though. an* a 6ho+e (ange o& te!hno+ogi!a+ a*)an!es in 5iote!hno+og)ie6e* 57 Fu$u7ama 6ith 6hat !an on+7 5e *es!(i5e* as supe(stitious &ea(. as his pa(ti!u+

a*)o!a!7 o& the p(e!autiona(7 p(in!ip+e is 5ase* in his &aith in the t(a*itiona+ Ch(istian Humnatu(e

TOhe most signi&i!ant th(eat pose* 57 !ontempo(a(7 5iote!hno+og7 is the possi5i+it7 that ia+te( human natu(e an* the(e57 mo)e us into a KposthumanK stage o& histo(7# This is impo(t6i++ a(gue. 5e!ause human natu(e e,ists. is a meaning&u+ !on!ept. an* has p(o)i*e* a sta5!ontinuit7 to ou( e,pe(ien!e as a spe!ies# It is. !on=oint+7 6ith (e+igion. 6hat *e&ines ou( most 5a)a+ues# Human natu(e shapes an* !onst(ains the possi5+e $in*s o& po+iti!a+ (egimes. te!hno+og7 po6e(&u+ enough to (eshape 6hat 6e a(e 6i++ ha)e possi5+7 ma+ign !onse9uen!es+i5e(a+ *emo!(a!7 an* the natu(e o& po+iti!s itse+

High+7 simi+a( 6ith 6hat !an 5e &oun* in his 5oo$The nd of istor" and the Last Man,

6he(e he seems to put &o(6a(* the i*ea o& sp(ea*ing a Ne6 Gospe+J.1 o& the nee* to neo-

12 Nei+ Ba*mington. Theo(i:ing


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e)ange+i:e in the name o& the i*ea+ o& a +i5e(a+ *emo!(a!7J.1 as 0a!9ues De((i*a pointe* out in#pecters of Marx.Fo( Fu$u7ama. most o& the potentia+ a*)an!es o& t(anshumanist s!ien!es !onsi*e(e* to 5e e)i+a priori.

In issue o& the+ultural +riti ue =ou(na+. tit+e*


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*e&o(mation. a !hime(a. it 5e!omes app(oa!ha5+e someho6# C(iti!a+


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to a++o6 peop+e to e,p(ess thei( opinions on the matte(. an* &ina++7. to !+a(i&7 the State%s pNanote!hno+og7 is a (e+ati)e+7 ne6 &ie+* o& s!ien!e 6hi!h is )e(7 +i$e+7 to 5e the

impo(tant o& the t6ent7-&i(st !entu(7# The aim is the manu&a!tu(ing o& mi!(os!opi! ma!using the 6o(+*%s p(imo(*ia+ 5(i!$ the atom# The potentia+ 5ene&its a(e eno(mous 6

instan!e. the possi5i+it7 o& in=e!ting nano(o5ots into a patient su&&e(ing &(om !an!e(. mapossi5+e to &in* the e,a!t +o!ation o& the tumo(s. to e&&e!ti)e+7 *est(o7 them an* then to hnano(o5ots *isso+)ing out o& the 5o*7# As the 5oo$+etcancer $anotechnolog" e,p+ains+a!oni!a++7 Nonin)asi)e a!!ess to the inte(io( o& a +i)ing !e++ a&&o(*s the oppo(tuunp(e!e*ente* gains on 5oth !+ini!a+ an* 5asi! (esea(!h &(ontie(sJ#1

I& the potentia+ gains !ou+* 5e unp(e!e*ente*J. it is a+so t(ue that the &ie+* has gensome !ont(o)e(s7. as the potentia+ si*e e&&e!ts o& nanote!hno+og7 on the 5o*7 a(e o& +a(ge+7 un$no6n# The(e&o(e the *e5ates. o(gani:e* &(om the 3th o& 4!to5e( 122 to the 1th o&Fe5(ua(7 1232 in )a(ious F(en!h to6ns. 6e(e a !omp+ete *isaste(# The F(en!h g(oup


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peop+e 6ho 6e(e 5e&o(e then in)isi5+e# A +ite(atu(e o& the p(esent it ma7 ha)e 5een !a++e*time 57 its autho(s. a +ite(atu(e o& @some peop+e%s past it !ou+* 5e te(me* no6# S!ien!&o( its pa(t. is a &utu(e &i!tionJ. to emp+o7 the te(ms use* 57 Ra7mon* 8i++iams in Theo& ImaginationJ. an a(ti!+e 6hi!h stu*ies s!ien!e &i!tion an* espe!ia++7 Utopian &i!tion# In s

&i!tion. he 6(ote.a 6(ite( sits an* thin$s assem5+es an* *ep+o7s )a(ia5+es e)en !onst(u!ts 6hat in se!u+a( p+ana(e !a++e* s!ena(iosJ. in the inte(p+a7 o& this an* that p(o=e!te* &a!to(. 6hen e)en the &a!toon+7 pa(t+7 $no6n M thei( *eg(ee o& *e)e+opment !an 5e )a(ia5+7 estimate* M an* 6hen inte(a!tion M 5(inging this &a!to( up. &a*ing that *o6n M is 9uite (a*i!a++7 un!e(tain#

Instea* o& &o!using on the p(esent o( the past. s!ien!e &i!tion 6(ite(s +oo$ at the p(ean* t(7 to imagine possi5+e out!omes# The &a!t that the en*-(esu+t pe(tains o& the *oms!ien!e &i!tion *oes not mean that it a+6a7s 6i++ an* in*ee*. the e,amp+es o& the !ont(a(7nume(ous. s!ien!e &i!tion has a+6a7s ha* a p(opheti! status# 4ne o& the ea(+iest 6(ite(s o& mo

s!ien!e &i!tion. H# G# 8e++s. 6as the &i(st to *es!(i5e p+ane &ighting in 3 . in his sho(&hen the #leeper &a5es,ten 7ea(s 5e&o(e the &i(st e,pe(iment in Ita+7 an* the &u++ 5+ossomp+ane &ighting *u(ing 8o(+* 8a( 4ne# The most p(estigious e,amp+e !ou+* ho6e)e( )e(7 6e++The Ro7a+ So!iet7 o& Lon*on &o( Imp(o)ing Natu(a+ Wno6+e*ge. a Fe++o6ship o& themost eminent s!ientists an* the o+*est s!ienti&i! a!a*em7 in !ontinuous e,isten!eJ. as its!(eation 6as *i(e!t+7 inspi(e* 57 F(an!is Ba!on%s $o)a 6tlantis, one o& the &i(st Utopian no)e+s

The &oun*ation o& the Ro7a+ So!iet7 6as one o& the ea(+iest p(a!ti!a+ &(uits o& the phi+o+a5ou(s o& F(an!is Ba!on% an* goes on to *is!uss Ba!on%s i*eas. an* his Ne6 At+antis in pa(

6hi!h ha* (un to ten e*itions 57 3 2#

S!ien!e &i!tion a+so inspi(es (ea+ s!ien!e mo(e *i(e!t+7 0u+es Ve(ne imagine* mospa!e t(a)e+ an* mo(e than a !entu(7 +ate( ga)e his name to the Eu(opean Spa!e Agen!7 &i(Automate* T(ans&e( Vehi!+e 0ohn B(unne(. 6ho 6as one o& the &i(st to imagine a $in* o& Iin his )a(ious no)e+s. an* in)ente* an* !oine* the name o& the no6 in&amous ma+6a(e p(og(a!a++e* the !ompute( 6o(msJ# 4&ten. this p(opheti! status !ame as a su(p(ise to the 6(ite(s. 6ho*i* not (ea+i:e unti+ +ate( that 6hat the7 ha* 5een 6(iting 6as not on+7 s!ien!e &i!tion. it 6as a

(ea+it7# As &amous s!ien!e 6(ite( Ra7 B(a*5u(7 sai* a &e6 7ea(s a&te( Fahrenheit 471!ame outRa7mon* 8i++iams. Tense o& ImaginationJ. p 311#F(om The Ro7a+ So!iet7%s 6e5site. http QQ(o7a+so!iet7#o(g #

The -ecord of the -o"al #ociet" of London. p 3#In De la Terre 8 la Lune, Tra9et direct en 23 heures :; minutes.InThe #hoc5wa)e -ider.

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3#3 4u( posthuman &utu(e 3


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In 6(iting the sho(t no)e+ Fah(enheit 3 I thought I 6as *es!(i5ing a 6o(+* that might e)o+)e i&ou( o( &i)e *e!a*es# But on+7 a &e6 6ee$s ago. in Be)e(+7 Hi++s one night. a hus5an* anpasse* me. 6a+$ing thei( *og# I stoo* sta(ing a&te( them. a5so+ute+7 stunne*# The 6oman hone han* a sma++ !iga(ette-pa!$age-si:e* (a*io. its antenna 9ui)e(ing# F(om this sp(ang tin7 !opp6i(es 6hi!h en*e* in a *aint7 !one p+ugge* into he( (ight ea(# The(e she 6as. o5+i)ious to man an*og. +istening to &a( 6in*s an* 6hispe(s an* soap-ope(a !(ies. s+eep-6a+$ing. he+pe* up an* *!u(5s 57 a hus5an* 6ho might =ust as 6e++ not ha)e 5een the(e# This 6as not &i!tion#

In othe( 6o(*s. s!ien!e &i!tion !an sometimes see the &utu(e an*. as su!h. !an ha)e a !+eimpa!t on s!ienti&i! e*u!ation#

Anothe( (eason that ma$es it 6o(th7 o& stu*7 is that it is a+so a huge+7 popu+a( &o(m oente(tainment. peop+e *o (ea* s!ien!e &i!tion# Chi+*(en an* teenage(s a(e o& !ou(se )e(7 mp(esent in its (ea*ing pu5+i!. 5ut s!ien!e &i!tion is &a( &(om 5eing (ese()e* to 7outh# S!&i!tion is o&ten &u++ o& phi+osophi!a+. ethi!a+. so!io+ogi!a+ an* o& !ou(se s!ienti&i! a(g6ou+* 5e &a( 5e7on* 5oth the !apa5i+ities. an* a+so 9uite simp+7 the tastes. o& most 7outh#

o&ten )i+i&ie* gen(e. most+7 a5out its +a!$ o& +ite(a(iness# "o*e(n s!ien!e &i!tion sta(te)e(7 popu+a( pu+p maga:ines o& the t6enties an* the thi(ties. 6he(e autho(s 6e(e pai* )e(poo(+7# Ho6e)e(. seeing as the7 6e(e nea(+7 the on+7 maga:ines that pu5+ishe* s!ien!e &i!an* that the7 6e(e g(eat+7 popu+a(. autho(s sta(te* to 6(ite a +ot# Yua+it7 su&&e(e* in !onse9an* i& the sto(ies 6e(e most o& the time e,!iting. the st7+e o& 6(iting !ou+* +ea)e mu!h t*esi(e*. at +east to (ea*e(s e,pe!ting 5eauti&u+ an*Qo( int(i!ate 6(iting# S!ien!e &i!tion us(e+ie* a +ot mo(e on the a+6a7s-ne6 te!hno+ogi!a+ themes an* i*eas. (athe( than on the te!hnsi*es o& the +ite(a(7 &o(m# It is eas7 to un*e(stan* 6h7 though a +ot o& s!ien!e &i!tion6e(e &i(st s!ientists. an* the pu(pose o& thei( &i!tion 6as to ma$e ascientificpoint the te!hni!a++ite(a(iness o& the 6o($ 6as not a+6a7s a )e(7 impo(tant &a!to(# Isaa! Asimo). in)ento( o&mo*e(n !on!ept o& (o5ots is a goo* e,amp+e seeing the simp+e matte(-o&-&a!t st7+e in 6h6(ote his s!ien!e &i!tion. it is not at a++ su(p(ising to +ea(n that he 6as a 5io!hemist(7 tea!he(uni)e(sit7 an* 6(ote man7 s!ienti&i! popu+a(i:ation 6o($s 5e&o(e *e)oting his time to 6(itin&i!tion# His s!ien!e &i!tion sto(ies ma*e s!ienti&i! o( so!io+ogi!a+ points an* !omp+i!ate* +*e)i!es 6ou+* on+7 ha)e 5+u((e* !omp(ehension# Besi*es. as 6as mentione* =ust 5e&o(e. s!i

&i!tion 6(ite(s usua++7 ha* to 6(ite &ast an* a +ot# The impa!t on the 6(iting st7+e !ou+* ost(ong# It is not a++ negati)e though. as it in some in*i(e!t 6a7s a++o6e* a !o*i&i!ation o&gen(e. something 6hi!h g(eat+7 ease* the ent(an!e into a s!ien!e-&i!tiona+ 6o($ &o( (ea*e(s

Wings+e7 Amis. $ew Maps of ell,p 331#

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9ui!$+7 !(eate* &ami+ia( t(opes 6hi!h !ou+* 5e then 5e use*. 5ut a+so a5use* an* su5)e(te*ne6 6(ite(s#

Not so mu!h in postmo*e(n s!ien!e &i!tion. 6hi!h is the o5=e!t o& this *isse(tation# T

6(ite(s o& this gen(e o& s!ien!e &i!tion a(e inte(este* at +east as mu!h in thescience pa(t as in thefiction pa(t. an* the7 usua++7 ta$e g(eat p+easu(e in e,pe(imenting 5oth 6ith s!ien!e an* e&&e!ts on histo(7 5ut a+so 6ith 6(iting itse+ In he( essa7 The Con)e(gen!e o&


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Fina++7. postmo*e(n s!ien!e &i!tion !a((ies in itse+& its o6n !(iti9ue# Its inheinte(a!ti)it7. its se+&-(e&+e,i)it7 an* its gene(a+ un(e+ia5i+it7 ma$es it a )e(7 (ipe te((ain &o( stu*7. as 6e++ as a te!hno-so!io+ogi!a+ stu*7. as it !(eates a !(iti!a+ stan!e in the (ea*e(s. a stanee*e* 5oth &o( the (e!eption o& a +ite(a(7 te,t. 5ut a+so to gi)e a6a(eness on potentia++7

!hanging e)ents# A**e* to the &a!t that s!ien!e &i!tion usua++7 e,p+o(es the imp(o5a5+eunusua+. o( e)en the impossi5+e. an* that in so *oing it 5(ea$s up t(a*itiona+ s!ientiphi+osophi!a+. o( aestheti! )ie6s. postmo*e(n s!ien!e &i!tion p(o5a5+7 5e!omes one o& the too+s to e,p+o(e thisOther, the posthuman#

1.2 Iain (M.) Banks

Bo(n in Fi&e. S!ot+an*. in 3 . Iain Ban$s 6as e*u!ate* at Sti(+ing Uni)e(sit7. 6he(estu*ie* Lite(atu(e.


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most+7 set in S!ot+an* in p(esent times. 6hi+e his s!ien!e &i!tion is set )e(7 &a( a6a7 &(om Eusua++7 in an* a(oun* a &i!tiona+ so!iet7 6hi!h is !a++e* the Cu+tu(e#


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o)e(+apping themes that !an 5e &oun* 5et6een s!ien!e &i!tion=se of &eapons @3 2 an*mainst(eamThe (ridge @3 , &o( instan!e. 6hi!h a(e 5oth a5out +osing one%s sense o& i*enan* then *espai(ing+7 +oo$ing &o( it o( 5et6een s!ien!e &i!tion In)ersions@3 an* mainst(eam 6 #ong of #tone@3 . 5oo$s that a(e a5out (e)o+utions an* po+iti!a+ inte()entionism# It i

Ban$s 6as *espe(ate to put a!(oss his message. !hanging his mo*e o& e,p(ession so as to tou!h+a(ge( po(tion o& the +ite(a(7 6o(+*#The(e a(e man7 +e)e+s at 6hi!h to (ea* Ban$s% &i!tion. an* man7 *i&&e(ent gate6a7

his 6o(+*# The appa(ent+7 simp+e 9uestion o& 6hethe( the &i!tiona+ so!iet7 he in)ente* is Uo( *7stopian is a *i&&i!u+t 9uestion &o( instan!e. as +ite(a(7 *e)i!es !omp+i!ate the mt(emen*ous+7# E)e(75o*7 seems to 5e genuine+7 happ7 in his in)ente* 6o(+* ho6e)e(. the &that the min*s o& its !iti:ens a(e ne)e( opene* to the (ea*e(s. that the omnis!ient na((ato( mo&(e9uent+7 use* 57 Ban$s !enso(s itse+& 6hen it is !on!e(ne* 6ith Cu+tu(e !iti:ens. this ma$es the Utopian 9ua+it7 o& the Cu+tu(e )e(7 suspi!ious. as 6i++ 5e seen +ate(# Comp+i!atmatte( e)en mo(e is the &a!t that Iain "# Ban$s p(esents his personal )ision o& the &utu(e in hiss!ien!e &i!tion. ho6 the posthuman is going to +i)e his +i&e an* inte(a!t 6ith his 5ette(s. e9ua+s. an* his +esse(s# In his 6o(*s m7 5oo$s a(e simp+7 a 6a7 o& t(7ing to a**(ess p(othat humanit7. i& 6eP(e +u!$7. might &a!e in the &utu(e. an* ho6 6e might 5eha)e i& 6e e)e(in a post-s!a(!it7 !i)i+isationJ# 8hat Ban$s is gi)ing in his s!ien!e &i!tion 5oo$s is then ap(og(ammati! @in the po+iti!a+ sense )ie6 o& the &utu(e# Ban$s postu+ates &(om the p(

p(o5+ems humanit7 ma7 &a!e in the &utu(e. an* then p(oposes in his 5oo$s a 6a7 to so+)e t4( so he sa7s. as the so+utions the 5oo$s p(opose a(e themse+)es *eep+7 p(o5+emati!. a +ot than 6hat Ban$s seems to sa7 a5out them#

Anothe( !omp+i!ation (ea(s its hea* 6hen is (ea+i:e*who (ea*s him# In*ee*. Ban$s%s!ien!e &i!tion has manage* to !aptu(e the imagination an* am5ition o& the t(anshumanmo)ement an* its impo(tant s!ientists# In the 6o(*s o& E+ie:e( ?u*$o6s$7. a(ti&i!ia+ inte++ig(esea(!he(. &o(me( E,t(opian an* !o-&oun*e( o& the Singu+a(it7 Institute &o( A(ti&i!ia+ Inte+

the Cu+tu(e is as !+ose as s!ien!e &i!tion has e)e( gotten to *es!(i5ing a (ea+ utopia# It%so!iet7 O t(anshumanists 6ou+* 5ui+*. gi)en &u++ (einJ# This simp+e &a!t o& 5eing so !+ose

5oo$s @6ith a pa(ti!u+a( emphasis on the 6o($ o& Hen(7 0ames. 6hose 5oo$s a(e 9uote* in the sto(7. 5ut6hi!h a+so 9uotes one TV a*aptation that 6as ma*e o&The 6mbassadors.Inte()ie6 6ith Iain Ban$s. SF^. http QQ666#s&,#!o#u$Q1232Q32Q31Qinte()ie6-iain-m-5an$s-pa(t-oneQ #E+ie:e( ?u*$o6s$7%s 6e5site. Boo$she+& M Boo$s o& &utu(e sho!$.

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3#1 Iain @"# Ban$s 3


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6hat t(anshumanists a!tua++7want to do ma$es Ban$s% s!ien!e &i!tion 6o(th7 o& stu*7ing# t(anshumanists su!h as ?u*$o6s$7 ma7 5e )e(7 impo(tant &o( the &utu(e o& humanit7. the that the 5est po(t(a7a+ o& thei( )ision o& the &utu(e is a )e(7 am5iguous utopia is unsett+ing.the +east#

1.3 onsidering Philebus

This essa7 6i++ &o!us on the no)e+ Loo5 to &indward. pu5+ishe* in 1222# This 5oo$ isp(o5a5+7 the 5est (ep(esentation o& the Cu+tu(e# "ost o& the a!tion a!tua++7 ta$es p+a!ein theCu+tu(e. 6he(e its !iti:ens a(e sho6n in g(eat *etai+ an* 9uestione* 57 a+ien 5eings a5out th6a7s o& +i&e# Ban$s% &i(st s!ien!e &i!tion no)e++onsider !hlebas @o& 6hi!h Loo5 to &indwardis a+oose se9ue+ . pu5+ishe* in 3, wi++ a+so 5e o& g(eat inte(est#+onsider !hlebas is a5out aninte(ga+a!ti! 6a( 5et6een the I*i(ans @a (a!e o& immense+7 agg(essi)e t(ipe*a+ 5eings 6hoa+so (e+igious &anati!s o(. in othe( 6o(*s. the !+assi! s!ien!e &i!tion supe(-)i++ains an* Bpe(&e!t so!iet7. the Cu+tu(e# Inte(esting+7 enough. the 6ho+e na((ati)e is p(esente* th(oughpoint-o&-)ie6 o& a me(!ena(7 !a++e* Ho(:a. 6ho is on the si*e o& the I*i(ans# Loo5 to &indward

ta$es p+a!e (ough+7 eight hun*(e* 7ea(s a&te(+onsider !hlebas. an* is most+7 !on!e(ne* 6ithinte()entionism. (e+igious &un*amenta+ism. an* te((o(ism#

The tit+es an* epig(aphs o& 5oth 5oo$s a(e ta$en &(om Death 57 8ate(J. the &ou(th pT#S# E+iot%sThe &aste Land

Genti+e o( 0e64 7ou 6ho tu(n the 6hee+ an* +oo$ to 6in*6a(*.Consi*e(


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phi+osophi!a+ sign !ou+*. an* shou+*. 5e !onsi*e(e* as an in)itation &(om Ban$s to haphi+osophi!a+ an* ethi!a+ (ea*ing o& his &i!tion# In mination,p 11 #

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3# Consi*e(ing


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Ban$s% Cu+tu(e# Fi(st. as 6i++ 5e seen in mo(e *epth +ate(. the Cu+tu(e is a he*onisti! so!ietbased on the *isappea(an!e o&an" ha(*ships &o( its !iti:ens# Se!on*. i& Ban$s% s!ien!e &i!no)e+s a(e *e*i!ate* to an ethi!a+ stu*7 o& the posthuman. this pa(ti!u+a( posthuman is n(ea++7 gi)ing his opinion. =ust +i$e


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that TS E+iot%sThe &aste Land@3 11 is one o& the ma=o( a++usi)e !onte,ts o& Ban$s%s an* a+so p(o)i*es mu!h o& the a++usi)e !onte,t o&The (ridgeJ# A++ these (easons ma$e it mo(ethan ne!essa(7 to stu*7 6ith some mo(e *epth E+iot%s poet(7# Ho6e)e(. the point o& this ess*e&inite+7 not to p(o)i*e a (ea*ing o&The &aste Land.Count+ess !(iti!s ha)e a+(ea*7 t(ie* to *o

so. an* the s!ope o& su!h a 6o($ 6ou+* &a( e,!ee* the 5oun*a(ies o& this pa(ti!u+a( *isse(taRathe(. 6hat shou+* 5e sho6n is ho6 Iain Ban$s has ma*e use o& E+iot%s epi!. an* ho6 it en+ighten it# 8hat 6i++ &o++o6 6i++ then 5e a sho(t (e)ie6 o& the poem 6hi!h 6i++ sho6 insense Ban$s% a++usions a(e meaning&u+#

Inte(esting+7. as in most s!ien!e &i!tion. one o& the main themes o&The &aste Landisa!tua++7 the &utu(e an* 6hat it has to o&&e(# The epig(aph o& the 6o($ is a5out the Cumaeaone o& the g(eatest p(ophetesses o& the Romans. 6ho ha* 5een at the same time 5+esse*!u(se* 57 Apo++o# 4n 6ishing &o( immo(ta+it7. she ha* &o(gotten to as$ &o( ete(na+ 7outh6ithe(e* a6a7 &o( one thousan* 7ea(s. at 6hi!h point she 6as so sma++ she 6as !ontaine* in a =an* soon a&te( on+7 he( )oi!e 6as +e&t I ha)e seen 6ith m7 o6n e7es the Si57+ hanging inan* 6hen the 5o7s as$e* he( %8hat *o 7ou 6ant>% She ans6e(e*. %I 6ant to *ie#%J The (eason &o(he( 6ishing *eath shou+* 5e !+ea( she !annot stan* the s+o6 to(tu(e o& aging# The othe( (&o( he( *espai( 6as he( )e(7 natu(e# An o(a!+e. the S75i+ has seen the &ate o& humanit7. a &is then painte* in 6o(*s. images an* a++usions 57 T#S# E+iot%s epi!. This is on+7 the &i(stinstantiation o& the p(ophe!7 moti& in the poem. 6hi!h a5oun*s in the poem. othe( e,amp

in!+u*e the ta(ot (ea*ing 57 the &amous !+ai()o7anteJ 6ho &o(esees the *eath-57-*(o6ning o&


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p(o5+ems it 6i++ &a!e i& it *oes not !hange# This )ie6 is un*e(stan*a5+e. as the poempu5+ishe* =ust a&te( the en* o& 8o(+* 8a( 4ne. a&te( Eu(ope ha* 5een 6aste*# The p(eo!!upaa5out 6hat e+se the &utu(e +ai* in sto(e !ou+* on+7 5e high#

I& the &i(st pa(t o& the poem. I# The Bu(ia+ o& the Dea*J. is o5)ious+7 !on!e(n

*eath an* 6a( @ A !(o6* &+o6e* o)e( Lon*on B(i*ge. so man7. Q I ha* not thought *eathun*one so man7#J2 an* The(e I sa6 one I $ne6. an* stoppe* him. !(7ing %Stetson; Q %?ou 6e(e 6ith me in the ships at "7+ae; Q %That !o(pse 7ou p+ante* +ast 7ea( in 7ou( ga(*en. Q %5egun to sp(out> 8i++ it 5+oom this 7ea(>J3 the (est o& the epi! seems mo(e !on!e(ne* 6ith someo& the !onse9uen!es the 8a( @an* mo*e(nit7 in gene(a+ o(. in othe( 6o(*s it is !on!e(ne* 6ith!onse9uen!es the han* o& "an has ha* on the +an* th(ough the use o& the impotent Fishe( Wmoti&. !oming &(om the )a(ious Ho+7 G(ai+ +egen*s# This +egen*a(7 $ing !a((ies a ph"sical(esponsi5i+it7 an* he nee*s to 5e !u(e* o& his 6oun* to (esto(e &e(ti+it7 to the +an*# It seemthe metapho( has to 5e ta$en +ite(a++7 57 (ea*e(s. as (ep(esentations o& se,ua+ a!ts a5oun* athe7 a(e a+6a7s un&(uit&u+# Be the7 patheti! (omanti! (en*e:)ous in high so!iet7 @in the &io& II# A Game o& ChessJ o( *is!ussion a5out se, an* 5eaut7 in an o(*ina(7 pu5 5et6een 6o&(om the +o6e( !+asses @in the se!on* pa(t homose,ua+ a&&ai(s @+ines 12 to 13 o& Se(monJ . ma(ita+ (ape @+ines 1 3 to 1 1 . o( the sho(t (e&e(en!e to the ne!essa(i+7 ne)!onsume* +o)e 5et6een E+i:a5eth the Vi(gin Yueen an* Ro5e(t Du*+e7. the Ea(+ o& Lei!e@+ine 1 . se, is a+6a7s sho6n as 5eing a ste(i+e a!t# Lo)e o( p(o!(eation ne)e( ente(

e9uation. on+7 se+&ish p+easu(e *oes#

It is st(i$ing to see that Ti(esias. 6ho is in E+iot%s 6o(*s the most impo(tant pe(sonagthe poem. uniting a++ the (estJ. is on+7 p(esent in name 6hen he spea$s a5out ho6 he ha* seenma(ita+ (ape I Ti(esias. though 5+in*. th(o55ing 5et6een t6o +i)es. Q 4+* man 6ith 6(in&ema+e 5(easts. !an see Q At the )io+et hou(. the e)ening hou( that st(i)es Q Home6a(*. an* 5the sai+o( home &(om sea.J1 I Ti(esias. o+* man 6ith 6(in$+e* *ugs Q


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among the +o6est o& the *ea*# J# As 6as 9uote* a5o)e. E+iot ha* sai* that 8hat Ti(esias sees.in &a!t. is the su5stan!e o& the poemJ# In*ee*. the su5stan!e o& the poemJ is a!tua++7 se,.6hi!h &its E+iot%s i*ea+s. that o& a (e+igious t(a*itiona+ist an* po+iti!a+ !onse()ati)e# 4nun*e(stan*The &aste Land'smessage is to ta$e it as a !(iti9ue o& "an an* his +ust&u+. *e!a*e

an* a5o)e-a++ meaning+ess pe()e(sions#The ne,t se!tion. IV# Death 57 8ate(J. &(om 6hi!h 6as e,t(a!te* the tit+es an* epig(aphs

o&+onsider !hlebas an* Loo5 to &indward,is !on!e(ne* 6ith the *eath o& p(ou*


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)io+et ai( Q Fa++ing to6e(s Q 0e(usa+em Athens A+e,an*(ia Q Vienna Lon*on Q Un(ea+J# A&te( thisapo!a+7pse an* the =u*gment o& Go* spea$ing th(ough thun*e(. the Fishe( Wing. 6h(esponsi5+e &o( the 5a((enness o& the +an*. is 6on*e(ing on 6hethe( to set his +an*s in o(*e o(not# The manne( in 6hi!h he 6i++ *o so 6i++ 5e 57 (emem5e(ing a(t. th(ough the )a(io

&(agments he hasO sho(e* against hisO (uinsJ# These +ast &(agmentsJ a(e *i(e!t a++usions)a(ious 6o($s the popu+a( song Lon*on B(i*ge is Fa++ing Do6nJ. Dante%s !urgatorio, a +ine&(om the anon7mous Latin poem !er)igilium 0eneris, the poem E+ Des*i!ha*oJ 57 G'(a(* *eNe()a+ an* Thomas W7*%s p+a7#panish Traged".Fina++7 the epi! *(a6s to an en*. 6ith the +ine int(ans!(i5e* Sans$(it Shantih Shantih ShantihJ. 6hi!h E+iot t(ans+ates in his notes as T


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is to sa7. 5e+ie)e(s an* non-5e+ie)e(s ha)e no mo(e sa7 in the matte(# As 6i++ 5e seen. a(tigo*s ha)e 5een !onst(u!te* to &i++ the )oi* that 6as ne)e( &i++e* 57 Go*# The p(esen!e o&ma!hine* go*s in the 6o(+* o& the Cu+tu(e no)e+s is a *e&inite &a!t. an* 6hat the7 &a)o( &&+o!$s is a +i&e o& p+easu(e# It has to 5e sai* that in Ban$s% s!ien!e-&i!tiona+ 6o(+*. *e!

5e!ome 5oth ha(m+ess an* non-!onse9uentia+# Nothing p(e)ents it then an* a he*onisti! +i&e5e!omes natu(a+. as the nee* to 5e p(o*u!ti)e is no +onge( a ne!essit7 the "in*s a(e in !ha(ge p(o)i*ing &oo*. she+te(. ente(tainment. p(ote!tion. +u,u(ies# The 6o(+* has 5een ma*e pe(the(e is a5so+ute+7 no nee* to go an* +oo$ 5e7on* its (im# Responsi5i+it7 is he+* 57 the "in*it is 5ette( +i$e that. human 5eings a+6a7s &in* a 6a7 to 5ot!h the =o5 an76a7. &o( themse+)&o( othe(s# To (en*e( them ha(m+ess is then the 5est mo)e an* the7 e)en en=o7 it &o(e)spe!tato(s o& the 5est imagina5+e sho6 e)e(. 6h7 shou+* the7 &ee+ the nee* to 5e!ome a!to(s>&i(st instan!e o& Ban$s% pessimism. an* a 6a7 to !ope &o( human 5eings to ma$e them &ean* p(ote!te*. e)en i& it means to !ut thei( +in$ 6ith the 6o(+*-at-+a(ge# "an7 e,amp+es o& a+6i++ 5e sho6n in the ne,t pa(ts. espe!ia++7 in the se!on*. 6hi!h is *e)ote* to the posthumahimse+&. as 6e++ as 6hat he !an an* !annot *o. ho6 he +i)es an* is +i)e*#

1.! "cience fiction

To pon*e( a5out the un$no6n is one o& the &i(st p(eo!!upations o& s!ien!e &i!tion othe( 5eing to app+7 a *isto(te* mi((o( 5ut mi((o( nonethe+ess to to*a7%s 6o(+* # In a t76o($ o& the gen(e. somethingnew is int(o*u!e* into the &i!tiona+ 6o(+* o& the sto(7 an* !onse9uen!es a(e then e,amine*# As Ame(i!an autho(


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mo*e(nist an* postmo*e(nist s!ien!e &i!tion @and +ite(atu(e in gene(a+ . Iain Ban$s% mainst(e&i!tion 5eing a goo* e,amp+e. the no(ma+ )ie6 o& the 6o(+* that is not ou( 6o(+*J is a pa(ti)ie6point that is main+7 to 5e &oun* in s!ien!e &i!tion# The 6o(+* that is not ou( 6o(+*J 65e. in Iain "# Ban$s% !ase. the &i!tiona+ nea(-Utopian so!iet7 he in)ente* the Cu+tu(e

no(ma+ )ie6point !an 5e &oun* time an* again in it 6hen the te,t ta$es on a so!io+ogi!a+ sta@su!h as in Loo5 to &indward@, o( a te!hni!a+ stan!e @the appen*i!es o&+onsider !hlebas. theno)e++a The State o& the A(tJ t(7ing to ma$e sense o& the 6o(+* Ban$s has in)ente*s!ien!e &i!tion# I& the appen*i!es in+onsider !hlebas &un!tion in thei( usua+ 6a7. e,p+aining inmo(e *epths the uni)e(se 6he(e the na((ati)e =ust too$ p+a!e. the 6ho+e o& The State o& theis a te!hni!a+ te,t. !onst(u!te* as it is as a !(iti9ue o& Ea(th &(om the )ie6point o& this in!(e*ia*)an!e* so!iet7. the Cu+tu(e#3 Those t6o pa(amete(s @the 6o(+* that is ou( 6o(+*J against t6o(+* that is not ou( 6o(+*J an* the e!!ent(i!Qno(ma+ )ie6point a(e. o& !ou(se. not a5so+ute.o&ten ming+e an* !(oss thei( paths in the !ou(se o& a sing+e 6o($# In the mainst(eam no)eThe(ridge . &o( instan!e. the p(otagonist%s sto(7 an* i*entit7 is sp(ea* into th(ee a 5iog(apa!!ount o& his +i&e in 3 2s E*in5u(gh up to the !a( !(ash he su&&e(e* on the Fo(th B(i*6hi!h !ause* his !oma the )e(7 st(ange *(eame*-+i&e @p(o5a5+7 6hi+e he is +7ing !omatosehospita+ 5e* he has o& a mu!h-t6iste* )e(sion o& the same 5(i*ge. 6he(e he is on a 9ues(et(ie)e his memo(7 an* the e)en st(ange( *(eams an* &antasies that he has 6hi+e this *(eam)e(sion o& himse+& is going to s+eep on the *(eame*-5(i*ge# The 5oo$ is !ompose* a(oun*

th(ee sto(ies. 6hi!h a(e to+* sepa(ate+7 6ith a+te(nating !hapte(s# It is on+7 at the en* o& thethat the7 6ea)e 5a!$ togethe(. 6hen the main !ha(a!te( &ina++7 6a$es up &(om his !oma#

I& the &i(st 6a7 o& te++ing the sto(7 o& the p(otagonist is most+7 !+assi!a+. an* *es!(i5e* as 5eing a no(ma+ )ie6 o& a 6o(+* that is ou( 6o(+*J @in that !ase S!ot+an* ieighties . the se!on* sto(7 a(! is main+7 !on!e(ne* 6ith the *ai+7 +i&e o& peop+e inha5giganti! !it7-+i$e 5(i*ge 6hi!h is seeming+7 in&inite o(. in othe( 6o(*s. a no(ma+ )ie6 o& a 6that is not ou( 6o(+*J# As 6as to+* a5o)e. the thi(* 6a7 is !on!e(ne* 6ith the *(eams an*&antasies o& a !ha(a!te( *(eam-+i)ingJ on the B(i*geJ. *(eams that the !ha(a!te( is suppose(ete++ to his ps7!hoana+7st. 6hi!h he ne)e( *oes he is &a( too ashame* o& them# The *(eap(esente* to the (ea*e(s in a st(eam-o&-!ons!iousness st7+e an* in a )e(na!u+a( S!ottish *ia+

3 A stu*7 o& the appen*i!es o&+onsider !hlebas !an 5e &oun* in pa(t 1# #3. the te!hni!a+ stan!e o& The Stateo& the A(tJ is stu*ie* in pa(t 1# #1#

Da)i* C(eu:e 3# Int(o*u!tion M 3# S!ien!e &i!tion 1


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an* the7 a(e most+7 a5out a 5igge(-than-+i&e 5a(5a(ian that ha!$s his 6a7 a(oun* the pa(o*iem7tho+ogi!a+ p+a!es. 6he(e he nea(-!onstant+7 5(ea$s things. $i++s peop+e an* has se, 6omen# A )e(7 e!!ent(i! @an* 9uite *i&&i!u+t to (ea* )ie6point it is. 5ut su(p(ising+7 thisin*ee* is that o& a 6o(+* that is ou( 6o(+*J. as it is 9uite eas7 to pa(a++e+ these &anta

a5so+ute po6e( 6ith the am5ition sho6n 57 the main !ha(a!te( in the E*in5u(gh &+ash5a!$s#The th(ee pa(ts o& the 5oo$ a(e o& e9ua+ statu(e &o( ea!h o& them gi)es to the (ea*i&&e(ent ta+e# At the same time. ho6e)e(. the7 a++ she* +ight on ea!h othe(. the7 a++ supthe othe(s# High+7 (eminis!ent o& De((i*a%s !on!ept o& *i&&'(an!e an* o& his un*e(stamimesis 1 t(uth is a+6a7s one step a6a7. imitations imitate othe( imitations. 6hi!h themse+)eimitate othe(s.ad infinitum# The +ogos is &o(e)e( unattaina5+e#

The se!on* pa(t o&


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that 7ou !annot go into the same 6ate( t6i!e#JTo +in$ the i*ea o& *7namism 6ith +ite(atu(e. one on+7 has to thin$ o& the pa+imp

natu(e o& mu!h +ite(atu(e# Te,ts !ommuni!ate 6ith ea!h othe(. in&o(m one anothe(. the7 !ome i&(e9uent !ons!ious an*Qo( un!ons!ious !onta!t an* !omment 5a!$ on ea!h othe(# Th

metate,tua+ 9ua+it7 is espe!ia++7 p(esent in postmo*e(n &i!tion. 6hi!h ma$es an e,tensi)e usepa(o*7 an* (e!7!+ing o& past t(opes# It is a+so !+ea( in Ban$s% &i!tion# I&The (ridge &ee+s +i$eth(ee 9uite *i&&e(ent 5oo$s a Rea+ist a!!ount o& +i&e in S!ot+an* *u(ing the That!he( 79uest &o( +ost memo(7 on a s!ien!e-&i!tiona+ 5(i*ge. an* an a*o+es!ent-+i$e 5+oo* an* se, &t(ip a++ o& them a(e unite* a(oun* one !ent(a+ an* )e(7 o+* p(o5+em that has 5een ta!$+e*times 5e&o(e 6hat an* 6ho p(o*u!es i*entit7# Ban$s !hose th(ee )e(7 *i&&e(ent 5ut !(iss-!(o(outes. in 6hi!h he e,p+o(e* this ages-o+* theme. an* the e&&e!t p(o*u!e* is )e(7 po6e(&u+!ha(a!te( he !(eate* &ee+s un*enia5+7real. It is inte(esting to see that this e&&e!t 6as (ea+i:eth(ough the use o& non-t(uths. o& *(eams. o& imitations# In man7 6a7s. an* in spite o& ha)in!+assi&ie* 57 Ban$s as mainst(eamJ.The (ridge &ee+s +i$e a s!ien!e &i!tion 5oo$. e,p+o(ing theimpossi5+e as it *oes# Un&o(tunate+7. spa!e +a!$s in this essa7 to stu*7 this most inte(esting A mention 6as ne!essa(7 though. as it e,emp+i&ies


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@t7pi!a+ o& +ite(a(7 &i!tions #

The goa+ o& this essa7 is then *ou5+e to sho6 5oth 6hat the &utu(e !ou+* 5e!omemost impo(tant+7who 6i++ peop+e it# This 6i++ 5e *one in th(ee pa(ts# Fi(st. the setting o& Bs!ien!e &i!tion. the Cu+tu(e. 6i++ 5e stu*ie* in *etai+s# Then. the so-!a++e* Cu+tu(ecitiAenan* 6hat

he !an an* !annot *o# Fina++7. the o(igins o& 5oth the Cu+tu(e an* its peop+e 6i++ 5e !onsS!ien!e &i!tion in gene(a+. 5ut Ban$s% s!ien!e &i!tion in pa(ti!u+a(. has t6o )e(7 impo(tant sone is te!hno-so!io+ogi!a+ an* stu*ies the &utu(e# The othe(. *ue to its &i!tiona+ status. is o&+ite(a(7# Both !on!e(ns a(e )e(7 mu!h inte(ming+e* in the no)e+s. an* 5oth 6i++ 5e inte(ming+this *isse(tation#

4ne +ast thing 5e&o(e sta(ting# The uni)e(se Iain Ban$s !(eate* in the Cu+tu(e no)&un!tions 5e!ause o& a t(i!$ it is so mu!h (emo)e* &(om ou( Ea(th%s (ea+it7. that an7tpossi5+e in it. e)en the most s!ienti&i!a++7 imp(o5a5+e# As Iain Ban$s on!e sai*

Be!ause the Cu+tu(e is m7 6o(+*. I !(eate* it. itPs m7 t(ain set -- so I ma$e the (u+es; IPm t(7in(e!(eate e)e(7thing a(oun* the )a(ious !i)i+isations o& the Cu+tu(e 6ith imagination (athe( th(esea(!h -- an* thatPs a +ot easie( &o( me. as I hate *oing (esea(!h#

Ban$s *i* not !ons!ious+7 tie himse+& to an7thing e,!ept to his imagination# Tposthuman he is 6(iting a5out is his o6n. it is not a &i!tiona+ (ea+i:ation o& !ontempo(posthuman theo(7# 8hat this essa7 6i++ t(7 to *o is then t(7 to e,t(a!t the theo(7 *i(e!t+7 &(Ban$s% 6(itings an* see 6hat it has to sa7 on this su5=e!tQo5=e!t# The theo(eti!a+ sou(!e

!ome &(om mo(e gene(a+ @ gene(a+J 5eing un*e(stoo* as 5eing a5out +i&eJ an* so!oppose* to spe!ia+i:e* posthuman theo(7 phi+osophi!a+ sou(!es. su!h as the 6(itings o& 0a!De((i*a# Simi+a(+7. t(a*itiona+ s!ien!e &i!tion theo(7 6i++ not 5e use* mu!h# I& it !an en+6o($ o& s!ien!e &i!tion. it is ou( opinion that it !an a+so po++ute it# B7 t(7ing to ma($ 6hat i6hat is not s!ien!e &i!tion. it o&ten (aises a(ti&i!ia+ 6a++s a(oun* the gen(e as a 6ho+e an* seit &(om the (est o& +ite(atu(e# I& these *is!ussions on the !ha(a!te(isti!s o& the gen(e !an 5inte(esting. the7 ten* to 5e gi)en un*ue impo(tan!e an* mas$ 6hat a pa(ti!u+a( 6o($ has to sa7

Besi*es. a pie!e o& s!ien!e &i!tion is ne)e(onl" s!ien!e &i!tion. 6h7 then &o!us so mu!h on thataspe!t> It is ou( opinion that the &un*amenta+s o& a 6o($ o& a(t !ome &(om the 6o($ o& a(t i

Damien B(o*e(i!$. -eading b" #tarlight, !ostmodern #cience Fiction,p ,ii#Inte()ie6 6ith "i!hae+


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2. Banks# world

AO++ o& us (ega(* s!ien!e &i!tion @o( s!ien!e &ao( st(aight &antas7 as essentia++7 a me*ium in 6hi!

to $i!$ i*eas a(oun* to see i& the7 7e+p#JA# Be(t(am Chan*+e(.

G(imesish G(um5e(+ings. E++ison Sho6J

2.1 Banks# personal utopia

2.1.1 $he %ig picture

Ban$s% sto(ies a(e suppose* to happen inour uni)e(se# Ea(th *oes e,ist 5ut it simp+7 hasne)e( 5een &o(ma++7 !onta!te* 57 an7 o& the !ount+ess e,t(a-te((est(ia+ 5eings that peopuni)e(se e,t(a-te((est(ia+but peop+e. as the a+iens in Ban$s% 6o(+* a(e o&ten a +ot mo(e huthan most human !ha(a!te(s# E)en though )e(7 st(ange entities !an 5e &oun* in Ban$s% s!ien&i!tiona+ uni)e(se. the most !ommon o& them a++ is the pan-humanJ 5eing. that is p(est(i++ions in a++ the *i&&e(ent ha5itats s!atte(e* a(oun* Ban$s% s!ien!e-&i!tiona+ uni)e(sEa(th has nothing spe!ia+ &o( its !a((7ing humans. this &o(m simp+7 is the !ommonest# B&i!tiona+ uni)e(se is a+so imagine* to 5e )i(tua++7 in&inite. as e,p+aine* in A Fe6 Notes Cu+tu(eJ. a sho(t te,t he poste* on Inte(net in 3 an* 6hi!h e,p+ains the genesis o& his s!ie

&i!tion

In the Cu+tu(e sto(ies. the i*ea is that--6hen 7ou imagine the h7pe(sphe(e 6hi!h is ou( e,pan*inguni)e(se - (athe( than thin$ing o& a g(o6ing ho++o6 sphe(e @+i$e an in&+ating 5ea!h-5ae,amp+e . thin$ o& an onion#An e,pan*ing onion. !e(tain+7. 5ut an onion. ne)e(the+ess# 8ithin ou( uni)e(se. ou( h7pe(sphe(the(e a(e 6ho+e +a7e(s o& 7ounge(. sma++e( h7pe(sphe(es# An* 6e a(e not the )e(7 oute(-mosto& that e,pan*ing onion. eithe( the(e a(e o+*e(. +a(ge( uni)e(ses 5e7on* ou(s. too# O A!ou(se. i& 7ou !ou+* get th(ough O to a 7ounge( uni)e(se. an* then (epeat the p(o!ess### no(ea++7 a(e ta+$ing a5out immo(ta+it7

In othe( 6o(*s. the Big Bang is !onstant+7 happening. the uni)e(se is !onstant+7 5ein

!(eate*. the human (a!e is !onstant+7 getting 5o(n an* *7ing o&& in some p+a!e o( ot45=e!ti)e+7 in&inite. the &a!t that pe(&e!t simu+ate* (ea+ities !an 5e ma*e. a+so ma$es this usu5=e!ti)e+7 in*e&inite# I& it is possi5+e to +i)e one%s +i&e in the ph7si!a+ 6o(+*. it is a+so

Iain "# Ban$s. A Fe6 Notes on the Cu+tu(eJ. 3 # http QQ666#)a)at!h#!o#u$Q5oo$sQ5an$sQ!u+tnote#

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1#3#3 The 5ig pi!tu(e


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up+oa* !omp+ete+7 one%s min* into an a(ti&i!ia+ 6o(+* i& *esi(e*. an* it is a+so possi5+e tthis spe!i&i! )i(tua+ 6o(+* so that the &a!t o& 5eing in a simu+ate* (ea+it7 is un$no6n up+oa*e* pe(sona+it7# The(e is no &i(m g(oun*ing to the 6o(+*@s . it@the7 !annot (esiscriti ue,the 6o(+*@s Ban$s *(a6s in his &i!tion !an ne)e( 5e ta$en &o( g(ante*. !an ne)e( 5e he+* as

the 5ase. the(e is a+6a7s a ne,t o( p(e)ious stage# In Iain "# Ban$s% &antasie* uni)e(se. inte++igent +i&e is a5un*ant. E)o+ution @5oth

5io+ogi!a+ an* te!hno+ogi!a+ has 5een going on &o( 5i++ions o& 7ea(s an* his uni)e(se is o& a+ien !i)i+i:ations set at )e(7 *i&&e(ent points o& thei( histo(i!a+ an* 5io+ogi!a+ e)o+utia+so &u++ o& !i)i+i:ations that 5e!ame e,tin!t mi++ions o& 7ea(s 5e&o(e 5e!ause o& 6a(s o*isaste(s an* othe(s 6hi!h Su5+ime*J &(om the mate(ia+ uni)e(se 6ith te!hno+ogi!a+ means6ho+e !i)i+i:ations *isappea(e* an* 6ent on to the &ina+ stage o& e)o+ution. t(ans!en*ing +6e $no6 it an* 5e!oming immate(ia+#

2.1.2 $he ulture

4ut o& these !ount+ess !i)i+i:ations. Ban$s most+7 6(ites a5out one that he !a++s Cu+tu(eJ# B7 !apita+i:ing the &i(st +ette(. Ban$s is sing+ing out the te(m !u+tu(e. an* in so

putting on a pe*esta+ 6hat is a&te( a++ on+7 one out o& man7 othe( !u+tu(es in the uni)e!(eate*# The Cu+tu(e 5e!omes the !ompa(ison point. a so!iet7 so e,t(eme that. in name at +east5e!ame an* thendefined the !on!ept o& !u+tu(e# This p(o!ess shou+* mean eithe( o& t6o thinthe Cu+tu(e is a *7stopia. an* is the 6o(st possi5+e so!iet7 o( it is a utopia. an* is the 5possi5+e so!iet7# The se!on* !hoi!e seems (ight. i& it is possi5+e to t(ust 6hat Iain Ban$s ans6to inte()ie6e(s

&&' ould ou like to li*e in the ulture+Iain M. Banks' Goo* g(ie& 7es. he!$. 7eah. oh it%s m7 se!u+a( hea)en ### ?es. I 6ou+*. a5so+Again it !omes *o6n to 6ish &u+&i++ment# I ha)en%t *one a stu*7 an* ta$en +ots o& (ep+ies!(oss-se!tion o& humanit7 to &in* out 6hat 6ou+* 5e thei( pe(sona+ utopia# It%s mine. I though

This moti& is at the !ente( o& Ban$s% +atest Cu+tu(e 5oo$.#urface Detail. 6hi!h &eatu(es a 6a( o)e( a(ti&i!ia+simu+ate* he++s# I& it sta(ts 57 5eing a 6a( o( a(guments o)e( the mo(a+it7 o& setting-up o& a p+a!e o& ete(su&&e(ing. the 6a( then ta$es othe( st(ange( p(opo(tions an* is then 5eing &ought in a )a(iet7 o& simu+ate*(ea+ities. ag(ee*-5e&o(e 57 the t6o 5e++ige(ent si*es o& the !on&+i!t# It is a++ simu+ation. hen!e no (ea+ *ethe )e(7-(ea+ so+*ie(s 6ho ag(ee* to &ight &o( one o& the t6o pa(ties a(e a 5it !on&use* 57 a++ the *7ing.(esu((e!ting. *7ing an* (esu((e!ting again espe!ia++7 i& is !onsi*e(e* the &a!t that the 6a( 6ent on &o( &o(t77ea(s#

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1#3#1 The Cu+tu(e


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an* I%m going home 6ith it -- a5so+ute+7. it%s g(eat#

The tu(n-o&-ph(ase se!u+a( hea)enJ is inte(esting. 5ut p(o5+emati!# A se+&-p(o!+e)ange+i!a+ atheistJ an* *eep+7 suspi!ious o& (e+igion in gene(a+. Ban$s nonethe+ess &e

nee* to (e!(eate some $in* o& hea)en# The(e is a !ont(a*i!tion the(e. ho6 !an the *(eam-p+a!e

an e)ange+i!a+ atheistJ 5e a se!u+a(hea)en> 4& !ou(se. it is possi5+e to un*e(stan* this 6o(*&igu(ati)e+7. as in +an* o& ete(na+ p+easu(eJ. 5ut the &a!t is that (e+igion in gene(a+ an*hea)ens inpa(ti!u+a( a(e o5=e!ts o& stu*7 @in the p+u(a+ &o( t6o (easons the(e a(e as man7 &igu(es as the(e a(e !i)i+i:ations an* hea)en is not =ust a !on!ept an7mo(e in Ban$s% s!ien!e &i!tion. mo& these !i)i+i:ations ha)ebuilt thei(s mo(e on that in the +ast pa(t o& this essa7 o& g(impo(tan!e in his &i!tion the 6o(* hea)enJ is not utte(e* inno!ent+7# Ban$s e)en &e+t the n!(eate a(ti&i!ia+ nea(-go*s. 6hen he imagine* the Cu+tu(e as a post-te!hno+ogi!a+ singu+so!iet7 it is set se)e(a+ thousan*s o& 7ea(s a&te( its a(ti&i!ia+ inte++igen!es 5e!ame sma(te(human !iti:ens an* gaine* the a5i+it7 to p(o*u!e sma(te(-than-themse+)es a(ti&i!ia+ inte++igeThe inte++igen!e e,p+osion that ensue* ga)e (ise to nea(-pe(&e!t A#I#%s the Minds. Supe(-inte++igent a(ti&i!ia+ 5eings that see to the 6e++-5eing o& the 6ho+e Cu+tu(e. the "in*s hapotentia+ to see an* hea( an*feel e)e(7thing. at a++ times# The7 a(e in !ha(ge o& peop+e%s 5eing. an* ensu(e themse+)es that e)e(75o*7 has a!!ess to an7thing the7 !ou+* *esi(e# 5ene)o+ent#

The Cu+tu(e is a+so po+iti!a++7 spe!ia+ &o( anothe( (eason as the(e a(e a5so+ut@6(itten +a6s in it

The Cu+tu(e *oesn%t a!tua++7 ha)e +a6s the(e a(e. o& !ou(se. ag(ee*-on &o(ms o& 5emanne(s. as mentione* a5o)e. 5ut nothing that 6e 6ou+* (e!ognise as a +ega+ &(ame6o($# N5eing spo$en to. not 5eing in)ite* to pa(ties. &in*ing sa(!asti! anon7mous a(ti!+es an* sto(ies a57ou(se+& in the in&o(mation net6o($ these a(e the no(ma+ &o(ms o& manne(-en&o(!emeCu+tu(e# 2

Autho(it7 an* st(ength a(e no +onge( 6hat ho+*s so!iet7 togethe(. ost(a!ism is# This es

6i++ !on!e(n itse+& 6ith the (easons &o( su!h a state o& a&&ai(s +ate(. su&&i!e to sa7 &o( +ist o& no(ma+ &o(ms o& manne(-en&o(!ementJ p(esente* in the a5o)e-te,t seems t(i)ia+. i

CNN Inte()ie6 6ith Iain "# Ban$s# http QQe*ition#!nn#!omQ122 QTECHQspa!eQ2 Q3 Qiain#5an$sQSee &o( instan!e Iain Ban$s emai+ YbA 4!to5e( 122 J on http QQ666#iain-5an$s#netQ122 Q32Q3 Qia

5an$s-emai+-9a-o!to5e(-122 Q #2 Iain "# Ban$s. A Fe6 Notes on the Cu+tu(eJ. 3 # http QQ666#)a)at!h#!o#u$Q5oo$sQ5an$sQ!u+tnote#



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not to smi+e 6hi+e (ea*ing it# Ho6e)e(. the humo( o& this pa(t hi*es something# Ban$se)ange+i!a+ atheistJ is a+so )e(7 in)o+)e* in po+iti!s. the Cu+tu(e 5eing Ban$s% )ision o& ho6

humanit7 shou+* &un!tionFOo( me it%s the i*ea+ &un!tioning utopia# It%s 6hat ought to 5e the en* state o& an7 *e!en

s7stem an* in one sense 7ou shou+* get the(e no matte( 6hat# High+7 a*)an!e* !apita+ism 6

p(o*u!e the Cu+tu(e 6hethe( it +i$es it o( not. 5ut o& !ou(se it 6on%t +i$e it#3

It is &unn7 to see that Ban$s% pe(sona+ utopiaJ is *es!(i5e* in this si++7 a manne(#pe(&e!t so!iet7%s main p(eo!!upation (ea++7 5e not 5eing in)ite* to pa(ties>J At &i(st g+seems mo(e *ese()ing o& +aughte( than !on!e(n. 5ut the issue is a!tua++7 se(ious# I& the(e

+ega+ &(ame6o($J an7mo(e. i& 6hat is +e&t to $eep so!iet7 sta5+e a(e on+7 manne(s. then imeans that the p(o5+ems @su!h as the&t o( mu(*e( that the +ega+ &(ame6o($J 6as suppso+)e *o not e,ist an7mo(e# 8hat it must mean is that the (u+es o& the Cu+tu(e ha)e 5een so minte(na+i:e* 57 its !iti:ens that the7 ha)e 5e!ome natu(a+ @o( (athe(. a(ti&i!ia+ +a6s. Cu!iti:ens a(e in the ph7si!a+ nea(-impossi5i+it7 o& 5(ea$ing them# Su(e. it means that mu(*e(sinstan!e. a(e no6 impossi5+e 5ut 6hat a5out &(ee*om an* o(igina+it7 o& thought>p(og(amming its !iti:ens in su!h a 6a7. 57 a5so+ute+7 5+o!$ing the possi5i+it7 o& somethingpossi5i+it7 o& !hoi!e @5oth o& ma$ing the (ight oneor the 6(ong one is e(ase*# This is the gene(a+i*ea. Ban$s% p(opose* p(og(amme# E)en 6hen it appea(s at &i(st g+an!e that someone ma!hoi!e. that someone 5(o$e a ha5it. sti++ the p(o(amming ho+*s st(ong. as it is a+6a7s (e)ea+the en* that the so-!a++e* !hoi!e 6as o(!hest(ate* 57 the "in*s. manipu+ating thei( pan-huma

hosts &o( some g(eate( pu(pose#Fau+t +ines su!h as these a5oun* in Ban$s% Cu+tu(e. 6hi!h is on+7 a++ege*+7 pe(&e

&o!us is on su!h p(o5+ems. it must mean that the (ea+ p(o5+ems ha)e 5een so+)e*# This is 6the 9uestion o& 6hethe( the Cu+tu(e is a Utopia o( not an* &o( 6hom is 5est &oun* isCu+tu(e%s 6a7 en)ia5+e>

3 Inte()ie6 Changing so!iet7. imagining the &utu(eJ# Iain "# Ban$s% inte()ie6 6ith a(ti!+enum5e(c321



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2.2 $he god in the machine

The Cu+tu(e an* its inha5itants a(e un*e( the !omp+ete. 5ut 5ene)o+ent. supe()ision o&"in*s# Ea(th 5eing ta$en o)e( 57 a(ti&i!ia+ inte++igen!es is a !ommon theme in s!ien!e &i!tionmo)ie Matrix 5eing the pe(&e!t pessimisti! e,amp+e. 5ut the opposite a+so e,ists. an* it seemthat this is 6hat !an 5e &oun* in Ban$s% &i!tion 6he(e to gi)e the (eins o& the 6o(+* ma!hines is the 5est mo)e a so!iet7 !ou+* ma$e# I& (athe( un!ommon in s!ien!e &i!tion. t*eposition o& human so)e(eignt7 &o++o6e* 57 a so(t o& en+ightene* *espotism 57 a(inte++igen!es 5eing the +esse( o& t6o e)i+s. a+so appea(e* in the s!ien!e &i!tion o& Isaa! Aan* a sho(t p(esentation o& his in&+uentia+ 6o($ ma7 she* +ight on ho6 Ban$s% Cu+tu(e &un

2.2.1 $he three laws of Asimo*#s ro%otics

Isaa! Asimo) 6as one o& the &i(st to stu*7 in *epths the potentia+ p(o5+ems that (o6ou+* p(esent to the 6o(+*# In o(*e( to !ontain these p(o5+ems. he imagine* the &amous TLa6s o& Ro5oti!sJ 6hi!h a(e the su5=e!t o& nea(+7 a++ o& his (o5ot &i!tion

Fi(st La6 A (o5ot ma7 not in=u(e a human 5eing o(. th(ough ina!tion. a++o6 a human 5eing!ome to ha(m#Se!on* La6 A (o5ot must o5e7 an7 o(*e(s gi)en to it 57 human 5eings. e,!ept 6he(e su!h o(*e(s6ou+* !on&+i!t 6ith the Fi(st La6#

Thi(* La6 A (o5ot must p(ote!t its o6n e,isten!e as +ong as su!h p(ote!tion *oes not !on&+i!t 6ithe Fi(st o( Se!on* La6#1

These th(ee +a6s a(e pa(t o& the p(og(amming o& ea!h (o5ot in Asimo)%s &i!tion# Then!o*e* in thei( posit(oni!B 5(ains an* +ite(a++7cannot . un*e( an7 !i(!umstan!es. 5e 5(o$en#8hen put into a situation in 6hi!h the (o5ot 6ou+* nee* to 5(ea$ an7 o& these +a6s. its 5(a6ou+* imme*iate+7 &(ee:e# This is o& !ou(se on+7 the 5eginning o& the sto(7. as a++ the &Asimo) is !on!e(ne* to some e,tent 6ith the )io+ation o& these +a6s an* ho6 the7 sometime!on&+i!t 6ith ea!h othe(#

The &i(st o& these sto(ies !+ea(+7 *epi!ts Asimo)%s 6(iting me!hani!s &o( (o5ot sto(Runa(oun*J @3 1 . a (o5ot !a++e* S


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the 5ase in a se+enium poo+J on the su(&a!e o& "e(!u(7# A&te( &i)e hou(s 6ithout an7 sign&(om Spee*7. the t6o s!ientists *e!i*e to in)estigate# 8hat the7 &in* is Spee*7 (unning in !i(!+a(oun* the se+enium poo+. 5e!ause it tu(ns out that se+enium. in unp(ote!te* !i(!umstan!esha(m&u+ to a (o5ot# The se!on* +a6 *oes sa7 that a (o5ot has to o5e7 human 5eings. 5ut a

o(*e( to get the se+enium 6as gi)en matte(-o&-&a!t+7 an* *i* not mention the &a!t that its +a+i&e-th(eatening &o( the humans in the 5ase. this o(*e( !on&+i!te* 6ith the thi(* +a6. that sa7s(o5ot must p(ote!t its o6n e,isten!e# The (esu+t 6as Spee*7 in a +oop a(oun* the se+enium pouna5+e to app(oa!h it as it 6ou+* )io+ate the thi(* +a6. una5+e to !ome 5a!$ to the 5ase as it 6o)io+ate the se!on*# The so+ution the s!ientists put themse+)es in *i(e!t *ange( 57 +ea)ingsha*o6s an* (unning the (is$ o& 5eing 5u(ne* 57 the un&i+te(e* (a7s o& the sun# As a (o5ot

th(ough ina!tion. a++o6 a human 5eing to !ome to ha(mJ @Fi(st La6 o& Ro5oti!s it ins6ent to the (es!ue o& the s!ientists. an* thus !ame out o& its +oop#

"ost o& Asimo)%s sto(ies. +i$e Runa(oun*J. 6e(e !on!e(ne* 6ith humanoi* (o5ots. tinte++igen!e o& 6hi!h 5eing (ough+7 on the same +e)e+ o& magnitu*e as the inte++igen!e o5eings an* as su!h &a( 5e+o6 the "in*s% +e)e+ o& inte++igen!e# A(ti&i!ia+ inte++igen!Ban$s% "in*s a(e p(esent in one sto(7 though. The E)ita5+e Con&+i!tJ @3 2 . 6he(e th!a++e* the "a!hinesJ# Those "a!hinesJare Cposit(oni!J (o5ots. in that the7 *o &o++o6 thth(ee +a6s o& (o5oti!s# The7 a(e immo5i+e though. an* a(e mo(e a$in to ou( mo*e(n su!ompute(s# In !ha(ge o& the &inan!ia+ num5e(-!(un!hing an* the o(gani:ation o& the 6o

in*ust(ies. the7 te++ peop+e ho6. 6he(e an* on 6hat to 6o($ on. so as to sha(e (esou(!es in thmost e9uita5+e an* e&&i!ient 6a7s# Sai* to 5e pe(&e!t. thei( nea(-in&inite !a+!u+ation po6suppose* to a++o6 them to ta$e !a(e o& Ea(th 5ette( than an7 human 5eing !ou+*# Comp+5e7on* the !omp(ehension o& man. the "a!hinesJ a(e a giganti! e,t(apo+ationJ

%A team o& mathemati!ians 6o($ se)e(a+ 7ea(s !a+!u+ating a posit(oni! 5(ain e9uippe* to *o !esimi+a( a!ts o& !a+!u+ation# Using this 5(ain the7 ma$e &u(the( !a+!u+ations to !(eate a sti+!omp+i!ate* 5(ain. 6hi!h the7 use again to ma$e one sti++ mo(e !omp+i!ate* an* so on# A!!o(*to Si+)e(. 6hat 6e !a++ the "a!hines a(e the (esu+t o& ten su!h steps%

The "a!hines a(e the p(o*u!t o& an inte++igen!e e,p+osion e)ent su!h as imagine* 57 thTe!hno+ogi!a+ Singu+a(it7# The p(o5+em in The E)ita5+e Con&+i!tJ is that it appea(s thain&a++i5+e !ompute(s ha)e ma*e mista$es

Isaa! Asimo). The E)ita5+e Con&+i!tJ inThe +omplete -obot,p 3# Ibid.

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%8o(+* Stee+ (epo(ts an o)e(-p(o*u!tion o& t6ent7 thousan* +ong tons# The "e,i!an Cana+ is months 5ehin* s!he*u+e# The me(!u(7 mines at A+ma*en ha)e e,pe(ien!e* a p(o*u!tion *e&i!iensin!e +ast sp(ing. 6hi+e the H7*(oponi!s p+ant Tientsin has 5een +a7ing men o&&%

It is (e)ea+e* at the en* o& the sto(7 that the "a!hines ha)e &ine-tune* thei( p(og(ammiinstea* o& mentioning human 5eingJ the &i(st +a6 no6 mentions humanit7J# The so+ution

sto(7Ps p(o5+em is then that the(e ne)e( 6e(e an7# The suppose* mista$es 6e(e *e+i5e(ate. "a!hines ha* ta$en ho+* o& the &ate o& humanit7 an* simp+7 $ne6 5ette( ho6 to a((ange6o(+*# 4)e(-p(o*u!tion. *e+a7s. e)e(7thing ha* 5een !a+!u+ate* to a!hie)e some +ong te(m gothe u+timate p(ese()ation o& humanit7# I& some pa(ti!u+a( human 5eings 6e(e ha(me* a+o6a7. i& the7 +ost thei( =o5s &o( instan!e. it is a+(ight 6ith the "a!hinesJ as humanit7J in gegaine* something in the pe(sona+ +oss on on+7 one 5eing# As one o& the !ha(a!te(s !on!+

"an$in* has +ost its o6n sa7 in its &utu(e# O Ho6 ho((i5+e;J . to 6hi!h the (o5ops7!ho+ogistSusan Ca+)in. the he(oine o& man7 Asimo)Ps sto(ies ans6e(s HOo6 6on*e(&u+; Thin$. ta++ time. a++ !on&+i!ts a(e &ina++7 e)ita5+e# 4n+7 the "a!hines. &(om no6 on. a(e ine)ita5+ Thisseems to 5e 9uite a pessimisti! )ie6 o& ou( &utu(e. one 6he(e human agen!7 6i++ 5e (e*u!e* minimum. one 6he(e ma!hines 6i++ *e!i*e 6hat is 5est an* 6he(e humanit7 shou+* go# Butthat so 5a*> D(# Ca+)in *oes not thin$ so. an* she a(gues that "an$in* !ou+* not ha)e +oso6n sa7 in its &utu(eJ 5e!ause.

%It ne)e( ha* an7. (ea++7# It 6as a+6a7s at the me(!7 o& e!onomi! an* so!io+ogi!a+ &o(!es it un*e(stan* M at the 6hims o& !+imate. an* the &o(tunes o& 6a(# No6 the "a!hines un*e(stan* than* no one !an stop them. sin!e the "a!hines 6i++ *ea+ 6ith them as the7 a(e *ea+ing 6ith th

So!iet7. M ha)ing. as the7 *o. the g(eatest 6eapons at thei( *isposa+. the a5so+ute !ont(o+ o&e!onom7#%

In othe( 6o(*s. "an 6as a+6a7s a pa6n in the han*s o& )a(ious po6e(s. most o& thema5st(a!t an* immate(ia+. +i$e the g+o5a+ e!onom7# 8hat is going to !hange is that these po66i++ no6 5erational an* reasona5+e po6e(s# To sa7 that this is pessimisti! is an un*e(statementThe &a!t is that in Isaa! Asimo)%s &i!tion. as oppose* to man7 6o($s in the s!ien!e &i!tion gnone o& the (o5ots a(e e)e( e)i+ an* the human 5eings su&&e( mu!h &(om the !ompa(isonthem# Ra!ist. se,ist. !(ue+ human 5eings a(e nea(+7 a++ the time the )i++ains o& Asimo)%

Ibid.,p - # Ibid.,p - # Ibid.,p # Ibid.. p Ibid.,p

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te(m a ne6 *e&inition. in the Hin*u (e+igion a)ata(s 6e(e the te((est(ia+ in!a(nations o& *ei6ho *es!en*e* on Ea(th to &u+&i++ a pu(pose# In the(agha)ad


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ha* goneinto one o& those st(ange. t(an!e-+i$e states he sometimes e,pe(ien!e* at gathe(ings +i$e this. 6hthe !on)e(sation - o( (athe( 6hen se)e(a+ !on)e(sations at on!e - 6ent :inging to an* &(o in a*i::7ing. a+ien+7 human so(t o& 6a7#

This is a goo* (ep(esentation o& 6hat Hu5 is seen *oing the most in Loo5 to &indward. It

is inte(esting to note that the *e)i!e that a++o6s peop+e to !ommuni!ate 6ith it !an 5e !a++eminder# The 4,&o(* Eng+ish Di!tiona(7 gi)es as a *e&inition o& min*e( a pe(son 6hose =o+oo$ a&te( someone o( somethingJ# E,a!t+7 6hat the Hu5 *oes &o( e)e(7one +i)ing on the 4(e)en 6hen the min*ingJ is as seeming+7 si++7 as the e,amp+e p(esente* a5o)e# The &a!t is&o( Cu+tu(e !iti:ens hunge( is something &(om the +ong-gone past an* to (e!ogni:e 6hat is &onot is no +onge( a su()i)a+ t(ait. as a+6a7s 6i++ the min*e( 5e the(e. a+6a7s 6i++ a "in*a)ai+a5+e &o( gui*an!e#

This is 6hat is t(u+7 sho!$ing in the Cu+tu(e. the *epen*en!e on te(mina+s su!h as thesesu!h that peop+e see it as *um5 to go out 6ithout thei( min*e(# In*ee*. the (ea!tion o& peoa(oun* the pe(son 6on*e(ing i& 6hat he has in &(ont o& him is e*i5+e o( not. is to 9uestiop(esen!e in the pa(t7 5e!ause hedoes not ha)e his min*e( 6ith him# To 5e on one%s o6n means to5e g+an*ingJ something @in othe( 6o(*s. to 5e un*e( the e&&e!t o& *(ugs . to (e+7 sonese+& means to 5e !(a:7# The opinion o& Cu+tu(e !iti:ens seems to 5e that the7 shou+* not 57 themse+)es. the7 ha)e to 5(ing thei( min*e(s to thin$ in thei( p+a!e# At &i(st g+an!e. (ea*ma7 ten* to thin$ the 6ho+e s!ene (i*i!u+ous. on+7 unti+ the7 (ea+i:e that it a+so app+ies thei

+i&e# In*ee*. 6hat a5out to*a7%s sma(tphones an* thei( !onstant !onne!tion to Inte(net> 4ne tthe s!(een an* the use( !a++s up an en!7!+ope*ia. his agen*a. an itine(a(7. o( man7 othe( toVe(7 p(a!ti!a+ it a++ is. 7es. 5ut is that not a so(t o& min*ingJ +i$e in the Cu+tu(e> It seemto*a7 on Ea(th. (esponsi5i+it7 o)e( one%s +i&e. o)e( one%s thin$ing. is not he+* on+7 57 thein*i)i*ua+ an7mo(e 5ut (ea!hes 5e7on* his ph7si!a+ se+& to the man7 supp+ements he no6 nto +i)e his +i&e# The min*e(sJ &oun* in Ban$s% &i!tion a(e on+7 e,agge(ate* )e(sions osma(tphones# Ban$s *oes not (ep(esent a (uptu(e 6ith the 6o(+*. his s!ien!e &i!tion is. at +eas

pa(t. a &i!tion o& s!ien!e that e,ten*s !ontempo(a(7 s!ien!e# B7 thin$ing a5out the &utu(e *oes. Ban$s !ha++enges in his 6(iting Hei*egge( position that s!ien!e is not thin$ingJ# In*ee*.this is e,a!t+7 6hat s!ien!e @&i!tion is *oing 57 thin$ing an* &i!tiona+i:ing s!ien!e. it is 6(

Ibid.,p 2#"a(tin Hei*egge(.&hat is +alled Thin5ing. p #

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1#1#1 Li)ing in a(ti&i!ia+ ha5itats


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the &utu(e#

2.2.3 $he moti*es of artificial gods

Something e+se that must 5e (emem5e(e* is that the "in*s a(e not on+7 supe(-!omputethe7 a(e a+so sentient 5eings# The7 a(e not on+7 immense+7 sma(t. the7 a+so ha)e the !apa!it7 &ee+. to get inte(este*. !u(ious the7 ha)e *istin!t tastes. *i&&e(ent 6a7s to pass thei( time ana+so *o get things ho((i5+7 6(ong sometimes @a goo* e,amp+e 5eing 6hat sta(ts the p+ot o& Loo5to &indward%an e((o( o& =u*gment that !ost a &e6 5i++ion +i)es # The7 a(e not on+7 ma!hinethe7 *o not so+e+7 (espon* to stimu+us. the7 ha)eagendas#

At one point in the 5oo$ !an 5e &oun* this e,!hange 5et6een Hu5 an* /i++e(. one o& main !ha(a!te(s o& Loo5 to &indward,6hi!h she*s +ight on 6hat "in*s !ou+* gain &(om the

(e+ationship the7 ha)e 6ith Cu+tu(e !iti:ens%Hu5#%%/i++e(# Goo* e)ening# A(e 7ou en=o7ing 7ou(se+&>%%No# Ho6 a5out 7ou>%%4& !ou(se#%%4& !ou(se> Can (ea+ happiness 5e so ### &o(egone as that> Ho6 *ep(essing#%%/i++e(. I am a Hu5 "in*# I ha)e an enti(e - an* i& I ma7 sa7 so - 9uite &a5u+ous 4(5ita+ to +oonot to mention ha)ing &i&t7 5i++ion peop+e to ten* to#%%Ce(tain+7 I 6asn%t going to mention them#%

/i++e( is not a Cu+tu(e !iti:en. he is a guest to the 4(5ita+ "asa9%# A s+ight+7 anno7in

!7ni!a+ guest. it must 5e sai*. a+6a7s 9uestioning an* !(iti!i:ing the Cu+tu(e# Hu5 *oes not !a5out /i++e(%s (esponse. an* e,p+ains ho6 he !annotnot ha)e a goo* time. the(e a(e simp+7 tooman7 things to *o. too man7 things to see. too man7 things to +oo$ a&te(J# Yuite an imp(eimage o& to*a7%s in&o(mation-satu(ate* +i&e# The(e is a )e(7 impo(tant t6ist though. in !omto ho6 humanit7 !u((ent+7 !opes 6ith state o& a&&ai(s as the "in*scan get a+ong 6ith thissatu(ation 6ithout getting neu(oti!# 8hat human 5eings pe(!ei)e as noise. "in*s app(e!iate!+ea(+7 as meaning&u+ in&o(mation# A&te( some pages o& a )e(7 *etai+e* *es!(iption on has to *o. mu!h to the anno7an!e o& /i++e(. it then s6it!hes to the people

%Then the(e a(e *(ones an* othe( autonomous sentients. a5+e to !ommuni!ate *i(e!t+7 an* at spp+us the imp+ante* humans an* othe( 5io+ogi!a+s a+so a5+e to !on)e(se imme*iate+7#


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I ha)e mi++ions o& a)ata(s +i$e this one. the ma=o(it7 o& them ta+$ing 6ith an* +istening to (ight no6#%% ### Ha)e 7ou &inishe*>%%?es# But e)en i& a++ the othe( stu&& seems a 5it esote(i!. =ust thin$ o& a++ those othe( a)those othe( gathe(ings. !on!e(ts. *an!es. !e(emonies. pa(ties an* mea+s thin$ o& a++ that ta+those i*eas. a++ that spa($+e an* 6it;%%Thin$ o& a++ that 5u++shit. the nonsense an* non-se9uitu(s. the se+&-agg(an*isement *e!eption. the 5o(ing stupi* nonsense. the patheti! attempts to imp(ess o( ing(atiate. the s+o66itte*ness. the in!omp(ehension an* the in!omp(ehensi5+e. the g+an*-a**+e* mean*e(ings agene(a+ su&&o!ating *u++ness#%%That is the !ha&&. /i++e(# I igno(e that# I !an (espon* po+ite+7 an* 6he(e ne!essa(7 &e+i!itoumost intense 5o(e &o(e)e( 6ithout &+agging an* it !osts me nothing# It%s +i$e igno(ing a++ th5its in spa!e 5et6een the neat stu&& +i$e p+anets an* sta(s an* ships# An* e)en that%s not !om5o(ing an76a7#%%I !annot te++ 7ou ho6 g+a* I am that 7ou +i)e su!h a &u++ +i&e. Hu5#%%Than$ 7ou#%%"a7 6e ta+$ a5out me &o( =ust a +itt+e 6hi+e>%%As +ong as 7ou +i$e#%

8hat 5ette( to as$> Hu5 seems to 5e a go* that a+6a7s ans6e(s. e)en to the si++ies

p(a7e(s. an* that *oes itgladl". The Cu+tu(e an* its inha5itants a(e un*e( the !omp+ete. 5u5ene)o+ent. supe()ision o& the "in*s# The(e is a +ot o& i(on7 @an* humo( in this passage tA+(ea*7 a +ong 9uotation. the s!ene in the 5oo$ is a!tua++7 mu!h +onge(. 6ith the poo( /iha)ing a +ot o& t(ou5+e ma$ing his )oi!e hea(*# It is t(ue that Hu5 seems to 5e honest. seems t(ea++7 p(eo!!upie* 6ith the 6e++-5eing o& its inha5itants @as the +ast t6o +ines sho6 5ut imono+ogue is so uni+ate(a+ that it is ha(* not to 5e at +east a +itt+e 5it *ou5t&u+ # "o(eo)e(inte(ests seem &o!use* on !ommuni!ation 6ith 5eings that a(e 57 *e&inition +esse(. that !an nehope to get an76he(e !+ose to the inte++e!tua+ +e)e+ o& the "in*s# Dou5ts !(eep in *o "in*sa hi**en agen*a> Rea*e(s use* to !+assi!a+ s!ien!e &i!tion 6ou+* !e(tain+7 e,pe!t su!h out!ome 5ut ne)e( *oes it mate(ia+i:e in Ban$s% s!ien!e &i!tion. Cu+tu(e "in*s a(ealwa"s5ene)o+ent#

The(e seems to 5e on+7 one e,p+anation then. "in*s t(u+7 a(e go*s. i((e)e(ent go*s 7e5ut omnis!ient an* omnipotent. at +east &(om the pe(spe!ti)e o& human 5eings# Is Ban$s tehis (ea*e(s that the on+7 hope &o( man$in* is tobuild a p(ope( Go*> It !e(tain+7 seems that Ban$sis ta$ing Hei*egge( to the +ette( 4n+7 a go* !an sa)e us# The on+7 possi5i+it7 a)ai+a5+e t

that 57 thin$ing an* poeti:ing 6e p(epa(e a (ea*iness &o( the appea(an!e o& a go*J#

Ibid.,p 1 - 2#"a(tin Hei*egge(. 4n+7 a Go* Can Sa)e Us The#piegel Inte()ie6 @3 J. p #

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1#1# The moti)es o& a(ti&i!ia+ go*s


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2.3 - or%itant methods

As 6as e,p+aine* 5e&o(e. Ban$s !an ha)e st(ong opinions a5out +i&e# Issues o& po(e+igion. te!hno+og7 o( ente(tainment a(e a++ o& inte(est to him# In his 5oo$s. the7 get a enhanced t(eatment. the7 a(e e,agge(ate* to huge p(opo(tions so as to &it the s!ope o& a 6o($

the spa!e ope(a gen(e# Ho6e)e(. mo(e o&ten than not. these issues a(e ta!$+e* in*i(e!t+7. usuth(ough the (ep(esentation o& &o(eign !ha(a!te(s +i)ing in o( a(oun* the Cu+tu(e an* *is!ussingan* a(guing a5out it# A &itting a*=e!ti)e to *es!(i5e this p(o!ess. an* anothe( 5o((o6ing &0a!9ues De((i*a. 6ou+* 5e the a*=e!ti)e e,o(5itantJ# In De la grammatologie,in the +ast su5-pa(to& Chapte( 1. L%e,o(5itant# Yuestion *e m'tho*eJ. De((i*a e,p+ains that to stu*7 somethinghas to !ome out &(om +%int'(ieu( *e +a !+dtu(eJ an* to a*)entu(e onese+& out o& theCorbitaB1;; . It*oes stan* to (eason though. ho6 e+se !an one stu*7 something> 4ne has &i(st to !ome out o&

something so as to 5e a5+e to see an* then stu*7 it p(ope(+7#

2.3.1 $he present through a deformed looking/glass

Ban$s% &i(st no)e+.+onsider !hlebas, is a goo* e,amp+e o& this t(eatment# In that 5oo$the I*i(ans @a (a!e o& )e(7 agg(essi)e t(ipe*a+ a+ien 5eings a(e in the p(o!ess o& in)a*ing the6ho+e ga+a,7 5e!ausethe" a(e Go*%s !hosen ones. the7 sa7# 4ne pa(t o& this no)e+%s epig5eing I*o+at(7 is 6o(se thancarnageB1;1. 9uote* &(om The ?oran. 1 3 2J321 it is on+7 eas7 an*too natu(a+ to (ea* the 5oo$ as a !(iti9ue o& (e+igion. !(iti9ue *one using a g(oss o)e(statemenEa(th !i(!umstan!es# The !omp+i!ation !omes &(om the &a!t that e)en i& it seems that the I*a(e !ast as the u+timate s!a(7 )i++ains in that 5oo$. the sto(7 is to+* th(ough the point o& )ieBo(a Ho(:a Go5u!hu+. a me(!ena(7 in the se()i!e o& the I*i(ans.against the suppose* goo* gu7s.the Cu+tu(e# Ho(:a is sma(t. po6e(&u+ an* he *oes ha)e a !ons!ien!e# 8hen he meets Ba+)e*Cu+tu(e agent that is his main p(otagonist an* enem7 in the no)e+. the7 *is!uss 6h7 he is on tI*i(an si*e an* not the Cu+tu(e%s# Ba+)e*a as$s him *i(e!t+7

0a!9ues De((i*a. De la grammatologie,p 1 1#322 Ibid.323 This mu!h 9uote* passage &(om the Wo(an is a!tua++7 a mis-t(ans+ation# "o(e !o((e!t t(ans+ations gi)e

4pp(ession is 6o(se than mu(*e(J# It o& !ou(se !a((ies a +ot +ess emotiona+ 6eight &o( someone +i$e Ban$s6ho seems to 5e ta$ing a sta5 at (e+igious &un*amenta+ism#

321 Iain "# Ban$s.+onsider !hlebas, epig(aph#

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1# #3 The p(esent th(ough a *e&o(me* +oo$ing-g+ass

2


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%I (ea++7 *on%t un*e(stan* 7ou. Ho(:a# ?ou must $no6 ho6 man7 spe!ies. ho6 man7 !i)i+isatiho6 man7 s7stems. ho6 man7 in*i)i*ua+s ha)e 5een eithe( *est(o7e* o( # # # th(ott+e* 57 I*i(ans an* thei( !(a:7 go**amne* (e+igion# 8hat the he++ has the Cu+tu(e e)e( *one !ompa(e*that>%32

To 6hi!h he ans6e(s%I *on%t !a(e ho6 se+&-(ighteous the Cu+tu(e &ee+s. o( ho6 man7 peop+e the I*i(ans $i++# the si*e o& +i&e M 5o(ing. o+*-&ashione*. 5io+ogi!a+ +i&e sme++7. &a++i5+e an* sho$no6s. 5ut (ea+ +i&e# ?ou%(e (u+e* 57 7ou( ma!hines# ?ou%(e an e)o+utiona(7 *ea* en*# This that to ta$e 7ou( min* o&& it 7ou t(7 to *(ag e)e(75o*7 e+se *o6n the(e 6ith 7ou# The 6o(st ththat !ou+* happen to the ga+a,7 6ou+* 5e i& the Cu+tu(e 6ins this 6a(#%32

This a(gument a5out the Cu+tu(e%s inhumanit7 is !onstant+7 &ought in the )a(ious Cuno)e+s# The *e!onst(u!te* post -humanism o& the Cu+tu(e is !onstant+7 put at o**s 6ith mot(a*itiona+ 6a7s o& +i&e# Ho6e)e(. seeing as humanism @5e!ause human-!ente(e* 5o(in&ashione*. sme++7 &a++i5+e an* sho(t sighte*. Go* $no6s. 5ut (ea+ +i&eJ. as Ho(:ain!a(nate* in the no)e+ 57 the 5+oo*thi(st7 I*i(ans. (ea*e(s ten* to imme*iate+7 *is!a(* !omments# It is a+most impossi5+e to s7mpathi:e 6ith his 9uest. e)en i& he ma$es )e(7 gpoints a5out the Cu+tu(e# "o(eo)e(. &o( a++ his in!(e*i5+e po6e(s an* a!hie)ements. Ho!onstant+7 &ai+s at 6hat he is *oing# A++ his !ompanions *ie. an* sometimes )e(7 stupi*+7. s6hen !(e6-mem5e( Lenipo5(a &a++s to his *eath M he ha* &o(gotten his anti-g(a)it7 pa!$ 6on+7 6o($ on a (ea+ p+anet. not an a(ti&i!ia+ ha5itat +i$e an 4(5ita+# A (esi+ient man. Ho(:a $his 9uest. 6hi!h in the en* isnearl" a su!!ess M he *ies 5e&o(e he !an get on the p(i:e. a (e!ent+75o(n "in* 6hi!h he 6as suppose* to 5(ing to the I*i(ans &o( e,pe(iments#

Ho6e)e(. an* that is the impo(tant point. e)en i& he ha* su!!ee*e* in his mission. th!onse9uen!es 6ou+* ha)e 5een neg+igi5+e# The Cu+tu(e sti++ 6ou+* ha)e 6on an* the I*i6ou+* on+7 ha)e gaine* some (espite. as is sho6n in the appen*i!es to the 5oo$# Ca++e* the I*i(an-Cu+tu(e 8a(J. those appen*i!es a(e suppose* to ha)e 5een e,t(a!te* &(om a Cu+tu(histo(i!a+ te,t on the 6a(# The7 e,p+ain a+ong a *o:en pages the (easons o& the 6a(. ho6 it 6&ought an* e)entua++7 6on 57 the Cu+tu(e. the num5e( o& !asua+ties an* &ina++7 the !onsethe 6a( ha* on the uni)e(se at +a(ge# The !on!+usions a(e )e(7 st(aight-&o(6a(* ne)e( !ou+*

I*i(ans ha)e 6on# Thei( nee* to sp(ea* (e+igion an* thei( atta!hment tocon uest meant that the7ha* to &o(e)e( e,pan*. *(a6 mo(e so+*ie(s into the &ight an* so. 5e!ause the7 *i* 32 Ibid.. p #32 Ibid.,p #


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manufacture them +i$e the Cu+tu(e *i*. it meant the *ispe(sion o& thei( (ese()es# "ost o&Cu+tu(e !iti:ens. &o( thei( pa(t. +i)e* on a(ti&i!ia+ ha5itats that !ou+* *ou5+e as spa!eships i6as nee*# The +ogi!a+ p+an &o( the Cu+tu(e 6as then to &a++ 5a!$. &+ee an* a5an*on p+anets &o( some 7ea(s. unti+ the7 ha* manu&a!tu(e* enough 6a(-ships an* so+*ie(-ma!hines

to 5e st(ong enough to &ight 5a!$# To !ut it sho(t Ho(:a%s 9uest ne)e( ha* an7 point. a &a5e!omes !+ea( ea(+7 in the no)e+# E)en i& (ea*e(s !ou+* ma75e s7mpathi:e 6ith the (easons H6as gi)ing a5o)e. it is ne,t to impossi5+e to s7mpathi:e 6ith the I*i(ans# A**e* to the &a!t thathe no)e+ &i(st !ast Ho(:a as a so(t o& supe(man 5ut then ma*e him &ai+ time again. a+o(gani:e* to sho6 ho6 he is @an* th(ough him. his !ause a &ai+u(e# In Ban$s% 6o(*s

I guess this app(oa!h has to *o 6ith m7 (ea!ting to the !+i!h' o& SF%s %+one p(otagonist#% ?outhis i*ea that a sing+e in*i)i*ua+ !an *ete(mine the *i(e!tion o& enti(e !i)i+i:ations# It%s )e(7.ha(* &o( a +one pe(son to *o that# An* it sets 7ou thin$ing 6hat *i&&e(en!e. i& an7. it 6ou+ma*e i& 0esus Ch(ist. o( Wa(+ "a(, o( Cha(+es Da(6in ha* ne)e( 5een#32

8ou+* an7thing ha)e 5eenthat *i&&e(ent i& su!h g(eat peop+e ha* ne)e( e,iste* an76a+onsider !hlebas seems to ans6e( a )e(7 *e&inite noJ to that 9uestion. the 6o(+* is to!omp+i!ate* &o( me(e human 5eings to ha)e that 5ig o& an impa!t on the uni)e(se# Fo++o6in+ine o& a(gument. one !ou+* sa7 that 0esus. "a(, o( Da(6in simp+7 6e(e in the (ight p+a!e an*the (ight time# Fo( thei( names to ha)e 5een (emem5e(e* is simp+7. at &i(st. a !oin!i*en!e#32 Ho66e++ a(e the7 (emem5e(e* an76a7> The7 ha)e 5e!ome 5oth mo(e an* +ess than 6ho an* 6hthe7 6e(e 6hen a+i)e. 6hat the7 gaine* in (e+igiousQpo+iti!a+Qs!ienti&i! au(a. the7 +ost inlife# In

othe( 6o(*s. the7 ha)e 5e!ome !u+tu(a+ !onst(u!ts. me(echaracters.The same is t(ue &o( Ho(:a.as +onsider !hlebas' Epi+ogue @6hi!h is p+a!e*after the appen*i!es sho6s# The "in* thatHo(:a 6as suppose* to stea+ &o( the I*i(ans 6as in the en* (e!o)e(e* 57 the Cu+tu(e an* !ast in o6n spa!eship# The +ast page o& the 5oo$ p(esents a Cu+tu(e !iti:en. un(e+ate* to an7thinghappene* in the 5oo$. 5oa(*ing this spa!eship. 6hi!h int(o*u!es itse+&

%I am the Bo(a Ho(:a Go5u!hu+ .% the ship sai*. th(ough the *(one#%That%s a 6ei(* name# Ho6 *i* 7ou en* up !a++ing 7ou(se+& that>%The (emote *(one *ippe* one &(ont !o(ne( s+ight+7. its e9ui)a+ent o& a sh(ug# %It%s a +ong stGimishin Foug sh(ugge*#%I +i$e +ong sto(ies#%32

32 Ban$s% inte()ie6 6ith Stan Ni!ho++s &o(#tarlog.32 An inte(esting e,amp+e in)o+)ing 0esus !an 5e &oun* in the sho(t no)e++a @then e,pan*e* into a no)e+

(ehold the Man 57 "i!hae+ "oo(!o!$#32 Iain "# Ban$s.+onsider !hlebas, p #


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Ho(:a 6as an enem7 o& the Cu+tu(e. a me(!ena(7 in the se()i!e o& the I*i(ans# His nahas no6 5een (e!upe(ate*. (e!7!+e* e)en. 57 6hat he hate* the most those !a(i!atu(es o& +i&ea(ti&i!ia+ "in*s#

In the no)e+. the Cu+tu(e itse+& 6as ne)e( p(ope(+7 ente(e*. on+7 &ought against. an*

en* it 6on in!ontesta5+7# B7 sho6ing on+7 the +oosing si*e. 6hat+onsider !hlebas is *oing isp(esenting the Cu+tu(e @an* a+so !u+tu(e 6ithout the !apita+ +ette( as an unstoppa5+e steamBe!ause the (ea*e(s ne)e( ha)e the !han!e to s7mpathi:e 6ith the Cu+tu(e. e)en though the7$no6 that the7 a(e the (ea+ a,is o& goo*J. the &a!t that the goo* si*eJ 6on is a 5it 5itte(# Asmentione* p(e)ious+7. Iain Ban$s% 6o($ is 9uite pessimisti!. the situation at the en* o&+onsider !hlebas is not pe(&e!t @in*ee*. the num5e( o& !asua+ties 6ent up to 3# 5i++ion a numin!+u*es the sentient ma!hines o& the Cu+tu(e . it is on+7goodenough. seeing the !i(!umstan!es#The *epi!tion o& the 5+oo*thi(stiness o& the I*i(ans% (e+igion. a**e* o& !ou(se to thet(ans+ate* (e&e(en!e to the Wo(an in the epig(aph. !an on+7 (emin* (ea*e(s o& the !oumu(*e(s *one in the name o& Go* th(oughout ou( histo(7# It seems to 5e Ban$s% a(gumen"an @&o( it is !e(tain+7 not the Cu+tu(e that (ep(esents "an$in* in+onsider !hlebas, the I*i(ans*o is *oome* to 5e "an. a+6a7s. an* the 5est thing he !ou+* *o 6ou+* 5e to a5an*on his sa7the 6o(+*%s a&&ai(s an* +ea)e his &ate to the ma!hines# I& not on the si*e o& +i&eJ. at +(ationa+ an* (easona5+e# Re+igion in gene(a+. an* &un*amenta+ism in pa(ti!u+a(. =ust +i$e+onsider !hlebas sho6s. is a+most a+6a7s p(esent in some &o(m in his Ban$s% &i!tion. a+6a7s

!(iti!i:e*. a+6a7s to 5e (i*i!u+e*# 4& !ou(se. (e+igion is 5ut a !onse9uen!e. 6hat is u+timat!(iti!i:e* an* (i*i!u+e* is "an himse+ A++ o& his en*ea)o(s a(e 5oun* to &ai+u(e &o( "an

si*e o& +i&eJ. $i++s "an. on the si*e o& *emo!(a!7. imp(isons "an. on the si*e o& &(e!enso(s "an. on the si*e o& (e+igious &(ee*om. p(ose+7ti:es# The on+7 seeming+7 goo* 5eing !omes &(om the Cu+tu(e. an* this human 5eing is not humane an7mo(e#

2.3.2 0rasping the future

In +onsider !hlebas% +oose se9ue+. Loo5 to &indward,the a+(ea*7-mentione* "ah(ai/i++e( an* Wa5e Is!h+oea(. a+ien 5eings 5o(n outsi*e the Cu+tu(e 5ut 6ho a(e +i)ing in one ha5itats. !onstant+7 *e5ate togethe( a5out the Cu+tu(e# This !u+tu(e that 6e+!ome* them is n

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1# #1 G(asping the &utu(e


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thei( on+7 su5=e!t o& *is!ussion 6ith the p(o5+ems o& *7ing. o& 5a!$ing-up. o& ha)ing no (o& ha)ing no point in +i&e 5ut ha)ing &un. an* o& !ou(se the p(o5+ems o& sentient a(ti&i!ia+This nee* to *e5ateabout the Cu+tu(e is sha(e* 57 nea(+7 a++ !ha(a!te(s o& Ban$sP Cu+tu(e nas peop+e outsi*e o& it o&ten &ee+ that the(e is something not 9uite (ight 6ith it# Its a+t(uisti

to6a(*s the 6ho+e uni)e(se hi*es something. man7 o& them &ee+# Yui!$+7. though. this is *eas na7-sa7ing. an* the (ea*e(s a(e +e&t 6ith an uneas7 sensation as the a(guments o& the Cu+!(iti!s 6e(e ne)e( (ea++7 ans6e(e* to#

The !onstant *is!ussions 5et6een /i++e( an* Wa5e. those ethi!a+ &ightsJ that the Cu+!iti:ens ne)e( 6inJ @as the7 simp+7 *(op out o& the *is!ussions . a(e seeming+7 en=o7e* Cu+tu(e !iti:ens XI thin$ the7 en=o7 itP Wa5e sai*# ###O X8e he+p to *e&ine them# T

###O 8Oe gi)e them an a+ien stan*a(* to !a+i5(ate themse+)es against#PJ32 As Wa5e an* /i++e( a(ethe !ha(a!te(s that most (esem5+e Ea(th%s humans. se()ing the e,p+o(ato(7 mo*e (o+e thne!essa(7 to p(esent a s!ien!e-&i!tiona+ 6o(+*. the a5o)e-9uotation !ou+* 5e (eph(ase* thus

8e he+p to *e&ine them# The7 +i$e that# 8e gi)e them ahumanstan*a(* to !a+i5(ate themse+)esagainstJ# In*ee*. the a+ien 5eings /i++e( an* Wa5e a(e the mu!h-nee*e*humanpa(t o& the no)e+.to 6hi!h the posthuman is !ompa(e*# The outsi*e )ie6 the7 gi)e on the Cu+tu(e is then aninside)ie6. a pre)ie6. gi)en &(om the human pe(spe!ti)e# To put it *i&&e(ent+7. the e,o(5itant metho*not on+7 use* on to*a7%s so!iet7. it is a+so use* so as to stu*7 the &utu(e# The ga:ing goes osi*es. an* i& the &utu(e is +oo$ing at the p(esent. the opposite is a+so t(ue the(e is an attem

the humane e+ements @the a+iens to +asso 5a!$ the e,o(5itant in the !+dtu(eJ32

so as to ma$e itg(aspa5+e 57 the a++-too-human (ea*e(s o& the Cu+tu(e no)e+s#

32 Iain "# Ban$s. Loo5 to &indward. p 332#32 0a!9ues De((i*a. De la grammatologie,p 1 1#

Da)i* C(eu:e 1# Ban$s% 6o(+* M 1# #1 G(asping the &utu(e


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2.! riti uing the criti ue

2.!.1 A perfect societ

This 6a7 o& setting the )ie6point outsi*e o& the Cu+tu(e 5ut !onstant+7 *i(e!te*to the

Cu+tu(e has anothe( e&&e!t it gi)es to the (ea*e(s the imp(ession that it is untou!ha5+unmo)a5+e# It is impossi5+e to &in* a t(u+7 !omp+ete *es!(iption o& it. o( to ha)e somesomethingfrom the Cu+tu(e *es!(i5e it as it is# 8hat is mo(e. outsi*e !(iti!s !an ne)e( get a (ea+grasp on it. as the7 !an ne)e( 5(ing it to *is!uss an* a(gument 6ith them the Cu+tu(e is a5o)e a++# It a+so 6ins 5igge( !on&+i!ts a++ the time an* so. to *a(e atta!$ it onan" +e)e+ 6ou+* 5e =ust+i$e a !ommon man t(7ing to hi*e the sun 6ith his thum5 o( &ighting a mountain 6ith a 6oo*s6o(*# It is *oome* 6ith &ai+u(e. the Cu+tu(e simp+7is an* will5e. an* 6i++ one *a7 en!ompass

e)er"thing. Seen &(om the othe( si*e. 6hat the Cu+tu(e sho6s is that s!ien!e an* te!hno+og7 6th(eaten the +i5

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