Parasite Culture : Host Manipulation in SF Imaginary (1980-2020) Histories of Technology and Mind Control

Many science fiction and horror movies depict a mind control parasite (worm, slug, fungus, bacteria) capable of taking control of its host’s mind while burrowing directly in its brain, or sticking to its neck. They directly stem from real parasites, turning insects into zombies to benefit their own cycle of reproduction. Imaginary parasites, where as they are aliens or laboratory-induced, do not need fancy technologies to access the nervous system as they form a bond with the host, and even act as a whole, a form of collective consciousness, usually in order to dominate the human race. This talk ambitions to unravel the parasitic topos and how it has nurtured technological imaginary as well, implying a brain chip is somewhat of an insect, crawling inside one’s brain or that Neuralink is the next step to human an AI symbiosis.

Possibilité d’écrire à james.kennaway chez rug.nl pour obtenir un lien de connexion.