Science Fiction and Borders

Narratives are the border. Nevertheless, as we talk about stories in my college classroom, I find that references to mainstays such as Star Trek and Star Wars are more difficult to sustain. Not because these items are old or out of date, but because the people with whom I speak have such diverse habits and because time keeps passing…. In a sense, students in a classroom still consider Science Fiction either as some sort of exotica or the subject matter of geeks hunched in the basement and tinkering among spools of copper wire and beeping mechanism, not realizing the ubiquity of science and cyber motifs in video games, cell phone advertising, the neo-regalia of all things cool, and Men in Black to numerous mainstream visions such as The Matrix. —Steve Ersinghaus —Science Fiction and Borders

No time for a considered response, but I thought this essay was quite blogworthy. Now I have to run out to the store to get another spool for the beeping mechanism in my basement.

About a year ago, Steve asked for my feedback on the development of a “new media communication” program at Tunxis… now, after my job switch, here I am, developing syllabi for a “new media journalism” program here at Seton Hill. Steve, thanks for your patience. I’ll be hip deep in this stuff shortly, and will welcome the chance to reflect and opine.