The book situates itself in the fields of philosophy, political theory, aesthetics and theories of art, linking its discussions of fictional dystopias to debates on ongoing crises. It asks: Are dystopias a useful tool for imagining ways out of sombre situations or do they prevent us from engaging in transformative action? The book consists of a thorough introduction and three major sections: 1. Dystopias of Meaninglessness, 2. Techno-Euphoria vs. Terror of Technology, and 3. Dystopias Come True? The individual chapters discuss, among other things, liberalism and conservatism, “luxury communism”, pandemics, technology-induced anxiety, empty speech, ethics, film, literature, architecture and music.

The book explores the possibilities and limitations of dystopian imagination, asking if visions of horrific futures help us decide upon the best course of action, or if they paralyse us and prevent us from engaging in social transformation.

This innovative and important book explores how war imprints on culture and the psychosocial effects of war on individuals and societies, based on the first few months after the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. The book approaches the conflict in Ukraine through the prism of creative and artistic material alongside scholarly analysis to highlight the multiplicity of subjective experiences. Essays are complemented by material from the ‘war diaries’, which comprise day diaries, dream diaries, artistic and poetic material composed by students and academics in February and March 2022. With chapters focusing on fear, ruptures and resistance, the book examines different aspects of subjective, cultural and embodied experiences of war. It examines elements that dominant perspectives of war often overlook; the quotidian, personal and emotive ways that war is registered individually and collectively in societies and cultures. Highlighting different narratives that illuminate the complex effects of war, this book is highly relevant for postgraduate students, researchers and advanced undergraduate students in the fields of cultural psychology, psychosocial studies, peace and conflict studies and cultural history. Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7 and Chapter 10 of this book are freely available as downloadable Open Access PDFs at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. To read the online archive of Two Months of War, please visit the Urban Media Archive of the Center for Urban History (Lviv, Ukraine): https://uma.lvivcenter.org/en/collections/178/interviews

WHAT IS THE STORY GRID? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: 1. It will tell a writer if a Story ?works? or ?doesn't work. 2. It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a Story (not the person creating the Story'the Story) has failed. 3. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that Story's problems. 4. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. 5. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation.

The Ultimate SF Collection: 140 Stories of Dystopias, Space Adventures & Lost Worlds is a monumental anthology that showcases the remarkable diversity and profound depth of speculative fiction. Within its pages, readers will embark on journeys through meticulously crafted dystopias, uncharted galaxies, and forgotten realms, brought to life by a range of writing stylesfrom the elegantly simple to the wonderfully complex. This collection not only spans a broad spectrum of themes but also includes seminal works that have shaped the genre, making it an indispensable volume for both novices and connoisseurs of science fiction. The inclusion of landmark tales from early speculative fiction pioneers alongside lesser-known gems offers a unique tapestry of narratives that challenge, entertain, and provoke thought. The authors represented in this collection are a veritable whos who of the speculative fiction genre, featuring luminaries such as H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley, and H.P. Lovecraft, among others. Collectively, their backgroundsranging from scientists, philosophers, and historians to adventurers and storytellersmirror the eclectic mix of stories presented. This anthology not only pays homage to the rich historical and cultural roots of the genre but also reflects the evolution of speculative fiction through various literary movements. The diversity of authors ensures a rich constellation of perspectives, making each story a distinct exploration of humanitys deepest fears and grandest dreams. This anthology is recommended for readers eager to dive into the vast expanses of speculative fiction. The Ultimate SF Collection offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the genre's breadth and depth, presenting stories that interrogate the human condition, stretch the imagination, and provide profound insights into our past, present, and possible futures. It serves as both an educational resource and a gateway to the endless possibilities that speculative fiction offers, encouraging dialogues between epochs, ideas, and visions. Engaging with this collection promises not only a journey through the outer reaches of space and time but a deeper understanding of the complexities and potentials of the human spirit.

'Biopunk Dystopias' contends that we find ourselves at a historical nexus, defined by the rise of biology as the driving force of scientific progress, a strongly grown mainstream attention given to genetic engineering in the wake of the Human Genome Project (1990-2003), the changing sociological view of a liquid modern society, and shifting discourses on the posthuman, including a critical posthumanism that decenters the privileged subject of humanism. The book argues that this historical nexus produces a specific cultural formation in the form of "biopunk", a subgenre evolved from the cyberpunk of the 1980s. Biopunk makes use of current posthumanist conceptions in order to criticize contemporary reality as already dystopian, warning that a future will only get worse, and that society needs to reverse its path, or else destroy all life on this planet.

Although both know it is forbidden, Amy and Axel hope that by following the countless ramps leading upward they can escape from their filthy subterranean world.

The 'SCIENCE FICTION Ultimate Collection: 140+ Intergalactic Adventures, Dystopian Novels, Lost World Classics & Post-Apocalyptic Stories' anthology presents an unparalleled journey through the imagination of some of literature's most visionary minds. With a rich diversity of narrative styles, this collection spans the gamut from early speculative tales to proto-science fiction and full-blown intergalactic sagas. The anthology encapsulates an array of overarching themes, including human resilience in the face of unknown cosmos, dystopian societies as a reflection of our own, and the timeless quest for knowledge beyond the earthly confines. Each story, whether it's a lost world classic or a post-apocalyptic scenario, serves as a standalone masterpiece while contributing to the volume's cohesive exploration of humanity's place in the universe. The esteemed roster of authors, including pioneers like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells alongside literary giants such as Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, brings together a multiplicity of backgrounds and perspectives. This assembly underscores rich, historical, and cultural undertones influencing the science fiction genre, from Enlightenment-era optimism about human progress to 20th-century anxieties about technological advancement and its implications. The anthology resonates with major literary movements, revealing the evolution of speculative fiction through diverse narrative lenses. 'SCIENCE FICTION Ultimate Collection' is an essential compendium for readers eager to explore the breadth and depth of the science fiction realm. It offers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with the speculative wonders and imaginative worlds crafted by a constellation of authors whose collective vision transcends time and space. This anthology not only celebrates the legacy of science fiction as a genre but also serves as an educational tool, inviting readers to contemplate the myriad ways in which literature mirrors, critiques, and shapes our understanding of the future. Embarking on this literary odyssey promises a rich dialogue with the past, present, and potential futures of human civilization.

First published in 2003. With essays by an international and interdisciplinary group of scholars, Dark Horizons focuses on the development of critical dystopia in science fiction at the end of the twentieth century. In these narratives of places more terrible than even the reality produced by the neo-conservative backlash of the 1980s and the neoliberal hegemony of the 1990s, utopian horizons stubbornly anticipate a different and more just world. The top-notch team of contributors explores this development in a variety of ways: by looking at questions of form, politics, the politics of form, and the form of politics. In a broader context, the essays connect their textual and theoretical analyses with historical developments such as September 11th, the rise and downturn of the global economy, and the growth of anti-capitalist movements.

Book one in the hit series that's soon to be a major motion picture starring Amandla Stenberg and Mandy Moore--now with a stunning new look and an exclusive bonus short story featuring Liam and his brother, Cole. When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. But when the truth about Ruby's abilities--the truth she's hidden from everyone, even the camp authorities--comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. On the run, she joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp: Zu, a young girl haunted by her past; Chubs, a standoffish brainiac; and Liam, their fearless leader, who is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. While they journey to find the one safe haven left for kids like them--East River--they must evade their determined pursuers, including an organization that will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. But as they get closer to grasping the things they've dreamed of, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.