Resistance in dystopian fiction

This thesis attempts to answer the fundamental question, "How does resistance function in dystopian fiction?" and considers the value of memory and technology within this context. It also articulates the themes of the research within a creative work, a dystopian novel titled The Department of Retribution. With the rising popularity of dystopian fiction, the findings of this project attempt to provide timely insight into why resistance is essential to the genre and how it can be employed via memory and technology. Within the scope of authoritarian structures and their ideological origins, this thesis examines the methods protagonists of dystopian fiction use to push back against oppressive means of control. It discusses memory and its value to characters who resist the state's official narrative of the past, and it examines the ways in which the pitfalls of humanity's reliance on technology are portrayed in dystopian works. The Department of Retribution takes place in a future United States where hard drugs such as methamphetamine have been legalized, fatal combat sports dominate television, and a fourth branch of government, the Corporate Council, wields dominant power. Seventeen-year-old Emile Winkler longs to avenge his little sister's death at the hands of a meth user, and when he turns eighteen he applies for a murder permit from the Department of Retribution that will allow him to achieve this. Legalized murder, however, has life-altering repercussions, and Emile sets out to discover the motivation behind the system that allows it. The exegetical discourse of technological hope and pessimism re-emerges in the novel as I explore the challenge of integrating androids into society as friends and companions, and the issues of equality that might arise. I also consider future psychological developments such as intra-cranial serotonin implants and a programmable re-prioritisation of thoughts and memories called amelioration that may help sufferers of trauma move on from painful, dominating thought patterns

“Partial solutions to the menace”: Philip K. Dick and the Politics of Genre

In an essay published in 1955, titled ‘Pessimism in Science Fiction’, Philip K. Dick posits that science fiction (sf) cannot function as social critique without conveying a tentative utopian impulse: a “partial solution to the menace”. In the unfolding Cold War climate, it was not enough, Dick argued, for sf to be simply apocalyptic, despite the world’s nuclear superpowers threatening the annihilation of human life on earth. This thesis examines Dick’s engagement with the structure and function of genre as a political act designed to produce alternative ways of thinking about reality – “partial solutions”. The majority of Dick’s work is written in the sf mode, which depicts alien worlds, strange creatures, and various technological gizmos, but it is rooted in the daily struggle of life under capitalism. This thesis builds on the work of the Marxist sf critic Darko Suvin, who argues that sf is a literature of “cognitive estrangement”: a type of fiction predicated on the analogical relationship between sf’s “estranging” aesthetics and ideas and the lived and imagined conditions of capitalist society. What I argue here is that Dick’s sf (and “genre fiction” generally) is imbued with a self-consciousness of its own “para-literary” nature and, therefore, its relation to the means of cultural production and commodification. It is sf’s estranging properties and “mass-cultural” status that make incorporation and anachronism fundamental parts of its structure. Dick’s sf exploits this distinctive relationality, purposely invoking other generic modes – the Western, detective fiction, the conspiracy thriller, autobiography – to engage in a critique of late capitalism and the hegemony its structures hold over our interpretation of texts, history, and our daily experiences of the world in which we live

Sociology of rural life

From fox-hunting to farming, the vigour with which rural activities and living are defended overturns received notions of a sleepy and complacent countryside. Alongside these developments, the rise of the organic food movement has helped to revitalize an already politicized rural population. Over the years 'rural life' has been defined, redefined and eventually fallen out of fashion as a sociological concept - in contrast to urban studies, which has flourished. This much-needed reappraisal calls for its reinterpretation in light of the profound changes affecting the countryside. First providing an overview of rural sociology, Hillyard goes on to offer contemporary case studies that clearly demonstrate the need for a reinvigorated rural sociology. Tackling a range of contentious issues, this book offers a new model for rural sociology and reassesses its role in contemporary society. Providing an overview of rural sociology, this title calls for the reinterpretation of rural life in light of the profound changes affecting the countryside. It offers case studies that demonstrate the need for a reinvigorated rural sociology. Tackling contentious issues, it presents a model for rural sociology and assesses its role in society. Sam Hillyard is Lecturer in Sociology, School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University

Sociology of Rural Life

From fox-hunting to farming, the vigour with which rural activities and living are defended overturns received notions of a sleepy and complacent countryside. Alongside these developments, the rise of the organic food movement has helped to revitalize an already politicized rural population. Over the years 'rural life' has been defined, redefined and eventually fallen out of fashion as a sociological concept - in contrast to urban studies, which has flourished. This much-needed reappraisal calls for its reinterpretation in light of the profound changes affecting the countryside. First providing an overview of rural sociology, Hillyard goes on to offer contemporary case studies that clearly demonstrate the need for a reinvigorated rural sociology. Tackling a range of contentious issues, this book offers a new model for rural sociology and reassesses its role in contemporary society.Providing an overview of rural sociology, this title calls for the reinterpretation of rural life in light of the profound changes affecting the countryside. It offers case studies that demonstrate the need for a reinvigorated rural sociology. Tackling contentious issues, it presents a model for rural sociology and assesses its role in society.Sam Hillyard is Lecturer in Sociology, School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University

The end of stigma? Understanding the dynamics of legitimisation in the context of TV series consumption

This research contributes to prior work on stigmatisation by looking at stigmatisation and legitimisation as social processes in the context of TV series consumption. Using in-depth interviews, we show that the dynamics of legitimisation are complex and accompanied by the reproduction of existing stigmas and creation of new stigmas

Theology & technology: An Exploration of their relationship with special reference to the work of Albert Borgmann and intelligent transportation systems

This thesis summarizes a large body of literature concerning the sociology, рhilosophy, and history of technology and the specific set of technologies concerned with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). It considers technologies of various kinds within the Old and New Testaments and how technology has been understood and occasionally discussed by contemporary theologians. Intelligent Transportation Systems are a very prominent area of modem technologies that will shape the future of society in profound ways. The overall field of ITS is described and then a specific case study concerning a set of automated highway systems applications within three states and two large national parks within the United States is presented. The case study then provides a backdrop to explore specific ways in which theology might engage in a conversation with intelligent transportation systems specifically and technology more generally. Since theologians have written relatively little about technology, we draw upon the work of a leading philosopher of technology who is informed by his Christian commitments, Albert Borgmaim. The extensive philosophy of Bergmann about technology and the character of contemporary life is described. Various considerations about how to create, foster, and maintain a sustained dialogue between disparate intellectual traditions and disciplines are suggested. This includes attention to goals for dialogue, respective strengths that various parties bring to the conversation, and the willingness to hear and learn from the other. A framework to categorize interactions between theology and technology is introduced. Borgmann's ideas, coupled with those of other theologians and philosophers are then applied to the case study. The worth of this approach is then assessed in light of what theologians might contribute to discussion and decision-making about technological systems and devices facing toward the future. Consideration is also given to what technology might contribute to the theological enterprise. The investigation demonstrates the importance of such dialogues and the viability of initiating them