Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one of the essentials for being a good member of an Earthseed Community?
What is one of the essentials for being a good member of an Earthseed Community?
According to Earthseed belief, God is considered to be a tangible being that individuals worship.
According to Earthseed belief, God is considered to be a tangible being that individuals worship.
False
What does Earthseed suggest about the nature of God?
What does Earthseed suggest about the nature of God?
God is change.
Earthseed teaches that human beings have the capacity to create __________ for themselves.
Earthseed teaches that human beings have the capacity to create __________ for themselves.
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Match the following ideas with their associated descriptions:
Match the following ideas with their associated descriptions:
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What does the term 'Destiny of Earthseed' refer to in the text?
What does the term 'Destiny of Earthseed' refer to in the text?
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The speaker prefers the city lights over the stars.
The speaker prefers the city lights over the stars.
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What does the speaker see glowing from the doorway?
What does the speaker see glowing from the doorway?
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In the parable of the sower, the 'seed' represents ______.
In the parable of the sower, the 'seed' represents ______.
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Match the following elements from the parable of the sower with their meanings:
Match the following elements from the parable of the sower with their meanings:
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What happened when the seed fell on stony ground?
What happened when the seed fell on stony ground?
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The parable indicates that only good soil can yield fruitful results.
The parable indicates that only good soil can yield fruitful results.
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What is the primary purpose of parables according to the content?
What is the primary purpose of parables according to the content?
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The sower represents those who are always receptive to the word.
The sower represents those who are always receptive to the word.
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What does the phrase 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear' imply?
What does the phrase 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear' imply?
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Parables are often designed to speak to some while keeping _____ from others.
Parables are often designed to speak to some while keeping _____ from others.
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Match the type of ground with its characteristics:
Match the type of ground with its characteristics:
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What element highlights the distinction between insiders and outsiders in the parable?
What element highlights the distinction between insiders and outsiders in the parable?
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The author feels confident in their writing ability.
The author feels confident in their writing ability.
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What does the author prefer to call their process of creation?
What does the author prefer to call their process of creation?
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The phrase 'the lusts of other things' refers to distractions that can cause the word to become _____ .
The phrase 'the lusts of other things' refers to distractions that can cause the word to become _____ .
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What is a primary characteristic of mutual aid in a dystopian setting?
What is a primary characteristic of mutual aid in a dystopian setting?
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What is indicated as a challenge for the author in their writing process?
What is indicated as a challenge for the author in their writing process?
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Mutual aid in the dystopian present is always a choice, rather than a necessity.
Mutual aid in the dystopian present is always a choice, rather than a necessity.
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What is considered 'gold' in the community described?
What is considered 'gold' in the community described?
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What is one method of provision for safety mentioned in the content?
What is one method of provision for safety mentioned in the content?
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The community relies heavily on wage work for survival.
The community relies heavily on wage work for survival.
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What weekly activity do community members engage in for reflection and connection?
What weekly activity do community members engage in for reflection and connection?
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_____ is described as the method through which many can achieve ongoing group adaptation.
_____ is described as the method through which many can achieve ongoing group adaptation.
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method of pooling resources?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method of pooling resources?
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Community members symbolically bury all their dead with an acorn, commemorating __________.
Community members symbolically bury all their dead with an acorn, commemorating __________.
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The community described is characterized by complete agreement and harmony.
The community described is characterized by complete agreement and harmony.
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Match the characters with their perspectives or roles:
Match the characters with their perspectives or roles:
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What is one example of indigenous knowledge mentioned?
What is one example of indigenous knowledge mentioned?
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What type of community is ACORN described as?
What type of community is ACORN described as?
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The community includes only families related by blood.
The community includes only families related by blood.
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Successful life is described as being adaptable, opportunistic, and _____ in nature.
Successful life is described as being adaptable, opportunistic, and _____ in nature.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What is one idea that characters hope to convey to ex-slaves regarding their freedom?
What is one idea that characters hope to convey to ex-slaves regarding their freedom?
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How does the community member feel about their home?
How does the community member feel about their home?
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Bankole mentions that any serious money made will come from the __________.
Bankole mentions that any serious money made will come from the __________.
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What was Allie's unexpected desire to contribute to the community?
What was Allie's unexpected desire to contribute to the community?
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Study Notes
Final Exam Format
- Passage Identifications (5): Include the author and title of the source text.
- Keywords (3): Define key concepts from class, for example, "wilderness dualism."
- Short Answers (5): Answer simple questions about concepts and texts, some may be multiple choice.
- Long Answers (2): Write a paragraph-length response to a question about a course text.
- Essay (1): Choose one of three essay prompts, writing a 5-paragraph essay. Key passages will be provided.
- Scope: Only texts and concepts discussed in class will be tested. Not every text listed on the syllabus will be tested.
- Choices: For each section, multiple options are provided.
- Materials: Use provided blue books, bring your own pen or pencil. No mobile devices, books or papers are allowed.
Speculative Fiction and World-Building
- Speculative Fiction: Authors and artists create immersive and believable settings, including video games, comics, films.
- World-Building: The way an author or artist constructs a full and believable world for their fictional story.
- Octavia Butler's 1993 Vision: Descriptive details of neighborhood life in the 2020s, and the connections to the world of 1993 and 2024.
- Knowable/Predictable Reality: Discussion of what made the fictional reality from 1993 knowable or predictable.
Dystopian Elements and Societal Futures
- Issues of concern: The text lists concerns regarding anthropogenic climate change, pervasive homelessness, refugee/immigration crises, and wealth/poverty disparities.
- Modern-day concerns Issues of drug addiction, political discourse, the resurgence of patriarchy, racism, and authoritarianism are also included, with mentions of privatization of public space and corruption(or potential for corruption).
- Potential societal dangers: This includes new forms of servitude, debt slavery, human trafficking, and public governmental collapse (with issues of education, inflation and food prices) and a catastrophic future threat of “FIRE."
Structure and Metafiction
- Structure: The book "Ecotopia-like" is built from real-time journal entries of the main character.
- Metafiction: The book incorporates first-person narratives. The journal entries span 2024-2027.
- Verse incorporation: The book uses verses from "Earthseed" within its writing.
Naming and the Importance of Structure
- Naming's effect: Naming a thing helps to understand it better.
- Earthseed: A specific belief system that is described as "The particular God-is-Change belief system."
- Naming as a method: Naming is used as a way to discover or understand something through naming, and also in naming the belief system, it is about making something "comfortable".
Utopia and Outer Space
- Destiny of Earthseed: The goal of EarthSeed is to take root amongst the stars.
- Godseed vs. Earthseed: Everyone is Godseed, but we are Earthseed specifically.
- The stars and the earth: The text describes a desire for a better future, not just any kind of future but the future of Earth, and the importance of looking at the stars.
Parable of the Sower
- The Sower: The "Word of God" is sown and received differently based upon the "soil" (or individual person).
- Different responses to the word: This leads to the concept that those who are ready or receptive to the message (or the Word) receive and understand it, whilst others might not.
- The importance of listening: The parable emphasizes the importance of paying attention and understanding the message.
Earthseed Verses
- Concept of Earthseed: A belief system, not a specific religion, but rather a way of understanding and shaping reality and the universe.
- Importance of observation: The author emphasized the role of observation as a means of understanding and forming opinions about the world.
- Rejection of supernatural theories: The author doesn't believe that the writings or creation are supernatural or divine messages.
The Unchosen (Eco)anarchism
- Self-sufficiency: The community relies on forms of assistance and cooperation, arising from necessity, to replace a failing state.
- Community support: Key elements in the community include teaching, safety and security, health assistance, and food production.
Mutual Aid as Cooperative Evolution
- Civilization and intelligence: Civilization is like intelligence for groups, enabling group adaptation.
- Disintegration and resilience: Civilization can disintegrate if it doesn't adapt to internal and external pressures; surviving is about persistence, even if painful.
Apocalypse vs. Collapse
- Generational conflict Disagreement between generations as to whether people are facing the end of the world.
- Change and suffering: Change and societal collapse are presented as both harmful and potentially constructive, including suffering and hardships.
- Survivorship through difficulties: Emphasis is made on resilience of individuals and communities and their ability to survive catastrophe
- Possible futures: A sense of anticipation and uncertainty regarding possible futures.
Whose Worlds Have Ended Already?
- Past catastrophe: The novel explores the idea that several past catastrophes may have already shaped the way the future will play out.
- World Colonization, Redistribution: The text discusses various processes that have shaped the world (i.e. the colonization of the New World, enslavement, distribution of animals and plants).
Parable of the Sower and the Dystopian/Utopian Cusp
- Collapse and structures: Not all destruction from societal collapse is negative or destructive — some societal structures are beneficial and can be maintained.
- Generative potential: Change can be generative and lead to a better future, and not always destructive.
- Understanding change: The cracks in a collapsing civilization can show ways to create a better and more just future for communities.
The Difference Hyperempathy Makes
- Moral/physical weakness: Suffering of others can lead to feelings of pain that are stronger than physical pain, leading to feelings of weakness.
- Personal harm The individual can be harmed in the process of confronting or understanding the suffering of others.
- Hyperempathy's consequences: Hyperempathy can lead to avoidance of confronting violence and suffering, and the de-sensitization to everyday misery and violence.
Consequences of Hyper-Empathy
- Community wellbeing: Hyperempathy can prompt a focus on the well-being of the individual members of a community, particularly members who are most vulnerable.
- Moral actions: Moral actions and decisions regarding personal and societal issues are made by the individual.
- Violence as a last resort: Violence as a last resort, not necessarily non-violence, can arise from the concept of hyper-empathy.
- Vulnerability: The act of empathy and violence also comes with vulnerability.
On the Road
- Resting places during collapse During times of collapse or catastrophe, small pockets of rest and refuge are important, in this case, the San Luis Reservoir.
- Experiential time and beauty: The book emphasizes finding ways to cherish beauty and nature during troubled times.
- Oases of Time, not just Place: Emphasizes that finding moments of peace are not only possible, but also crucial to experiencing the end of the world properly.
Settlement of Acorn
- Isolated community: A separate, isolated community, emphasizing self-sufficiency of the group and their goals.
- Isolation from harm, but not immune: While isolated, the community is still at risk from outside threats.
- Significance of community: Finding a community and contributing to it are important even during difficult times.
Acorn (Primitive Intentions)
- Community-based economics: A model moving away from wage work toward self-sustaining agriculture and handicraft practices.
- Community rituals: Community rituals, such as Bible study for example, are seen as important in the community
- Symbolic life commemoration A way to commemorate the lives of those who have died in the community.
Who Makes Up The Community?
- Societal challenges: The characters face various societal elements including slavery, lack of freedom, and interracial relationships as well as the fact that they might be vulnerable to outside forces and threats.
- Community values: The community embraces and values these issues in their daily lives, and they are important to the daily happenings of the community.
Final Quiz/Reflection
- Key points of the novel: Students need to identify key elements from the novel, and the significance of those elements, moments or interactions to take away.
- Personal reaction: Students need to express insights and reaction to the concepts or ideas from the novel.
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Description
Test your knowledge of speculative fiction and the art of world-building! This exam includes multiple sections such as passage identifications, short answers, and an essay. Focus on the key texts and concepts discussed in class for successful completion.
