Reading: Jayne Sturgeon and Theodore Sturgeon

In this audiovisual recording from March 21, 1984 as part of the 15th annual UND Writers Conference: “Nineteen Eighty Four,” Jayne and Theodore Sturgeon read a selection of their work. Jayne Sturgeon reads the first and 11th chapter of her novel in progress and the short story “Last Words.” Theodore Sturgeon reads “Pruzy\u27s Pot” and “The Graveyard Reader.” [Note: There are intermittent breaks in the recording.

Panel: Extraterrestrial Sex

This audiovisual recording from March 21, 1984 as part of the 15th annual UND Writers Conference: “Nineteen Eighty Four” features Harlan Ellison, Jayne Sturgeon, Luisa Valenzuela, and Theodore Sturgeon forming the panel “Extraterrestrial Sex.” Valenzuela opens by reading her poem “The Fornicon,” and the panelists discuss inspiration, love in literature, sex in literature, incest, differences in written sexual expression between men and women, the integration of love and sex, and controversy over political correctness

Panel: Big Brother and Your Imagination

This audiovisual recording from March 20, 1984 as part of the 15th annual UND Writers Conference: “Nineteen Eighty Four” features Harlan Ellison, Luisa Valenzuela, Ray Bradbury (via telephone), and Theodore Sturgeon forming the panel “Big Brother and Your Imagination.” The panelists discuss the notion of “big brother,” advancing technology, political administrations and the relationship between government, media, and American publics. They also discuss censorship, activism, and respond to audience questions about the power of art to overcome big brother, the despondency of science fiction, fear in science fiction, publication in best-seller markets, and controversy. Moderated by John Little

Angelic organization : hierarchy and the tyranny of heaven

This paper suggests that one of the first influential legitimations of hierarchy comes from the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius, about 1500 years ago. Despite the fact that he was ordering angels, he suggests both ontological and political reasons for accepting that organization must equal hierarchy. This is an assumption that is rarely contested even today, and the idea of hierarchy is central to theories of organization, and justifications of managerialism. However, angels have been mutable creatures, and I employ some of their various incarnations in order to open up this 5th century common sense. I conclude by suggesting that angelic obedience should be treated with suspicion, and that other sorts of angels, particularly the fallen ones, might lead us away from the tyranny of hierarchy