impact of technology
websites
Twenty10. http://www.twenty10.org.au/ This is the website of a support group for gay and lesbian youth. It includes everything from a location search for services such as emergency accommodation and counseling to entertainment and events, including links to external sites (eg an anti-suicide site on youtube) and organisation for next year’s mardi gras float. Talk about the way different types of people are brought together online to discover a virtual community. Mention the symbolism of the fingerprint background and the use of the colour pink (an upside down pink triangle was worn by gay and lesbian people in WWII concentration camps and has since been adopted by the gay community).
Short stories
Johanabas bin Rosli, Fadslishah, (2010). “Act of Faith” in Cosmos VOL??? (Belonging folder at 820.9) When Ahmad is too old to take care of himself, his son (who works on the moon) buys an android (robot) to help him out. Over time, the robot becomes like a son to Ahmad and even helps out in the mosque by giving the call to prayer. Then the problem arises: if the robot has begun to believe in god, can he become a Muslim? Discuss the usual features of science fiction such as jargon and new types of technology, but focus on the way that the robot discovers his place in the human world – by calling Ahmad “Abah” (father), by learning Arabic, by developing his emotion software, by helping out in Ahmad’s community, by trying to adopt Ahmad’s religion. Don’t forget the metaphors used to depict the symbolism of the storm.
Johanabas bin Rosli, Fadslishah, (2010). “Act of Faith” in Cosmos VOL??? (Belonging folder at 820.9) When Ahmad is too old to take care of himself, his son (who works on the moon) buys an android (robot) to help him out. Over time, the robot becomes like a son to Ahmad and even helps out in the mosque by giving the call to prayer. Then the problem arises: if the robot has begun to believe in god, can he become a Muslim? Discuss the usual features of science fiction such as jargon and new types of technology, but focus on the way that the robot discovers his place in the human world – by calling Ahmad “Abah” (father), by learning Arabic, by developing his emotion software, by helping out in Ahmad’s community, by trying to adopt Ahmad’s religion. Don’t forget the metaphors used to depict the symbolism of the storm.
novels
Allen-Gray, Alison. Unique. Dominic's life has always been shadowed by the shadow of his older brother (deceased). At the age of 15 he discovers why he seems such a disappointment to his father - he is the first human clone. At first trapped by this discovery, he eventually learns to reinterpret his birth as evidence that all humans are unique and irreplaceable. Allen-Gray's novel explores the issue of cloning from a wide range of perspectives, both expected and unexpected. Look at the way the media discovery enables the writer to explore multiple reactions to the issue and how this contrasts with the writer's own opinion, represented through Dominic. Jamie Cooper has written a study guide [http://jamielcooper.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/unique-novel-study.html].
Grant, Michael and Applegate, Katherine. Eve and Adam. While Evening Spiker is recovering from losing her leg in an accident, her mother gives her the opportunity to design the perfect virtual reality boy - or is he really virtual? This not only allows the reader to discover the perils of genetic technologies but also to critique the the concept of "perfect". Pay attention to how you react with the changing viewpoints and the role of sub-plot characters like Aislin. Recommended for Standard students who like a quick action-based novel.
Pullman, Phillip. Northern Lights. The strongest sense of self in the His Dark Materials universe is the bond between a person and their soul/daemon (in the shape of an animal). When children start to disappear, Lyra decides to investigate and discovers that this link is in danger. This text could be used by standard students on a simple level to discuss the role of daemons as a parallel to the tiger in a spiritual interpretation of Life of Pi or by advanced students who could analyse the author’s use of literary references to the biblical stories and Milton’s Paradise Lost.
Suzann Collins. The Hunger Games. Set in a futuristic world where the government controls districts through a reality-TV style game in which teenagers are randomly chosen to fight to the death. Look at the descriptions, the dialogue and the way the plot develops to reveal surprising connections between the personal journeys of key characters and their devastating discoveries about the world they live in.
Huxley, Aldous, Brave New World
Poems
Dings, Fred. (1996). Letter to genetically-engineered superhumans critiques the human fantasy of perfection, specifically our drive to "perfect the ladder of genes" without considering how this might affect the individuals born of such technology. Read this text at the Poetry foundation. this text would match especially well with The Tempest if you are writing about Prospero's manipulation of the creatures on his isle.
Plays
Lewenstein, Rose. Darknet. A chilling look at the future of data-harvesting, Darknet provides a glimpse into a world where the status of your social profile can earn you money - what seems at first a good idea becomes a dystopian societal trap rasing issues of privacy, concent and individual agency. In addition to examining the different perspectives of the characters (a techie, a drug addict, cyber criminal, a web cam girl), pay close attention to the staging, especially the use of technique which bring the virtual world closer to the play's audience. the author's discuss their ideas at this interview [http://www.theatrebubble.com/2016/04/interview-writer-rose-lewenstein-on-darknet-at-southwark-playhouse/] How to make a play about technology as human as possible [https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/darknet-southwark-rose-lewenstein-russell-bender-interview-876] and If Big Brother had looked at my browsing history... http://exeuntmagazine.com/features/33580/]