Deletion – the open access online forum in science fiction studies is now live and we are launching this week with two speakers on robotics, the remarkable Angela Ndalianis with ‘Tomorrowland’, and robotics thinker, Matthew Joordens on ‘The Science and Fiction of Robotics.’ today at the Phoenix Gallery, Deakin Burwood 4-6pm. Join us!
Science Fiction: Future fact?
Dr. Matthew Joordens – School of Engineering, Deakin University
Is science fiction the harbinger of doom, an idle story or future fact? Science fiction has enthralled its audience since Mary Shelly animated a monster, Jules Verne put a man on the moon and H. G. Well invaded the earth with Martians. This presentation will look at the link between science fiction and science fact, particularly in robotics. Will robots be able to replace mankind? Will they be smarter than us? Will robots be independent or have a hive mentality? Find out about robots today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
Tomorrowland
Angela Ndalianis – Associate Professor in Screen and Cultural Studies, Melbourne University
Tomorrowland at Disneyland embodied for Walt Disney a demonstration of the world of tomorrow that could be experienced today. In constructing Tomorrowland and Disneyland, Disney drew upon a range of influences: science fiction and utopianist writings; urban theory and visions of futuristic city living & world expositions from the past and present which had also envisioned the world of tomorrow through technological advancement. These resulted in a complex evocation of a retro-futurist vision.This paper focuses on what Brooks Landon calls “science fiction thinking”. Like a science fiction time traveller Disney drew upon the past and present to construct a present that would envision the future.
Cryptocommonicon 