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eldritchhobbit

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Blog Entries posted by eldritchhobbit

  4. eldritchhobbit
    Science fiction may help foster a sense of global solidarity by evoking awe, study finds
    “In particular, the researchers focused on a concept called ‘identification with all humanity.’ This refers to how much individuals feel connected to all people, regardless of nationality, race, or background. It reflects a broad, inclusive identity that supports concern for others around the globe. Previous studies have linked this identification to prosocial behaviors such as donating to international causes, supporting refugees, and caring about the environment. The authors theorized that science fiction, with its imaginative worlds and frequent focus on humanity’s shared future, might encourage people to adopt this global perspective.”

    View the full post.
  6. eldritchhobbit
    My graduate course on the Dystopian Tradition will be offered again this summer online at Signum University if there’s sufficient interest. I hope the class will make, because it seems more relevant than ever.
    ALT The Dystopian Tradition - Signum University

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  7. eldritchhobbit
    I’m delighted to say that it’s back! My month-long “Meet The Last Man” module with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University is currently up for candidacy for June 2025. Voting is open through May 1. Those who sign up will have a voice in the scheduling of the live discussion sessions.
    Mary Shelley’s novel The Last Man is one of the most relevant books we can read right now, and I’m really looking forward to exploring it with students!
    Here is more information.

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  9. eldritchhobbit
    On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 750), I revisit the brilliant The Tomorrow Series and other works by John Marsden and discuss the lasting contributions of science fiction scholar H. Bruce Franklin.
    Here is the link!
    StarShipSofa 750 Eris Young

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  11. eldritchhobbit
    Some of the university and conference talks I gave this year are now online.


    Why You Should Read The Last Man by Mary Shelley


    Why You Should Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley


    “A Fortnight in the Wilderness” with Alexis de Tocqueville


    “Missing Students & Their Fictional Afterlives: True Crime, Crime Fiction, and Dark Academia" (presented at the Popular Culture Research Network’s “Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture” conference).
    View this presentation here.

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  12. eldritchhobbit
    2024 Wrap-Up: Podcasts
    Thank you to all of the podcasts that invited me on this year!
    My “Looking Back on Genre History” science fiction segment ran each month on StarShipSofa.
    I talked to Potterversity about my book chapter “Dark Arts and Secret Histories: Investigating Dark Academia”; to Trash Compactor and New Books Network about my book Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away; and to New Books Network about my book Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier.
    I also talked about Alexis de Tocqueville with the Vital Remnants podcast and Mary Shelley (twice, once about The Last Man and once about Frankenstein) with The McConnell Center podcast.
    Links to all of these podcast episodes are here.

    View the full post.
  13. eldritchhobbit
    New Publication in 2024:
    An essay, “‘Lifting Old Curses’: The mirror dance of The Flowers of Vashnoi and The Mountains of Mourning” in Short But Concentrated #2: a second essay symposium on the works of Lois McMaster Bujold, edited by @unamccormack.
    New in Paperback in 2024 (previously published in hardback & ebook in 2023):
    Two books, Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier and Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away, both co-edited with Emily Strand.

    View the full post.
  14. eldritchhobbit
    I’ve been on a Mary Shelley roll lately! On my latest “Looking Back at Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 747), I revisit the brilliant Frankenstein. Here is the episode.
    ALT ALT
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  17. eldritchhobbit
    On December 1, 1946, sophomore Bennington College student Paula Jean Welden vanished. Her disappearance remains an unsolved mystery.
    I’m currently working on a book project that involves the Welden case. Today it feels especially important to say her name.
    Note: If anyone would like a (very brief!) peek into my current book project, here is a video of my presentation “Missing Students and Their Fictional Afterlives: True Crime, Crime Fiction, and Dark Academia.“ I gave this talk earlier this year at the Popular Culture Research Network’s “Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture” conference.
    ALT ALT
    View the full post.
  18. eldritchhobbit
    On November 18, 1897, junior student Bertha Lane Mellish vanished from Mount Holyoke College. Her disappearance remains an unsolved mystery.
    I’m currently working on a book project that involves the Mellish case. Today it feels especially important to say her name.
    Note: If anyone would like a (very brief!) peek into my current book project, here is a video of my presentation “Missing Students and Their Fictional Afterlives: True Crime, Crime Fiction, and Dark Academia.“ I gave this talk earlier this year at the Popular Culture Research Network’s “Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture” conference.
    ALT ALT
    View the full post.
  19. eldritchhobbit
    On my latest “Looking Back at Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 745), I discuss the New Wave in science fiction and the Dangerous Visions anthologies, including the newly-published The Last Dangerous Visions.
    ALT ALT
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  22. eldritchhobbit
    Happy Halloween!                                                          
    Today’s text is “It’s Halloween” from The Philadelphia Inquirer on 10/31/1898.
    Read the article here.
    Quote: “Goblins and fairies, good and evil, will be running amuck to-night, if the old Halloween traditions do not fail…. Every one may be both superstitious and sentimental to-night.”
    ALT It’s Halloween headline: “Goblins and Fairies Will Be Roaming Abroad Tonight”

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  23. eldritchhobbit
    Today’s text is “The Goblins" from Asbury Park Press on 10/31/1913.
    Read the article here.
    Quote:
    Who said that elves were banished?
    That goblins were no more?
    That sprites and fays had vanished
    From all their haunts of yore?
    Not so. They surely flourish
    As in their golden prime,
    And Hallowe’en they cherish
    As their most joyous time.
    ALT The Goblins artwork depicting trick-or-treaters on Halloween

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  25. eldritchhobbit
    Today’s text is “Hallowe’en – A Holiday of Traditions” from The Stoughton Courier on 11/1/1907.
    Read the article here.
    Quote: “From time out of mind this has been heralded as a night when witches, devils and other mischief-making beings go abroad on their baneful midnight errands…. The traditions of Hallowe’en also teach that on no other night in the twelve-month do such supernatural influences prevail as after dark on the final day of October.”
    ALT Hallowe'en - A Holiday of Traditions

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