Astrofuturism
Book Description
Astrofuturism unveils a fascinating intersection where science fiction dreams meet the complex realities of American social transformation. De Witt Douglas Kilgore examines how visionaries, scientists, and writers have long imagined outer space as humanity's ultimate solution to earthly divisions and conflicts.
This groundbreaking analysis explores how the promise of space exploration became intertwined with America's struggles over race, gender, and social justice throughout the twentieth century. Kilgore reveals how predominantly white, male space enthusiasts responded to civil rights challenges by crafting cosmic narratives that could either reinforce existing hierarchies or offer genuine paths toward healing historical wounds.
The book traces how space-centered thinking evolved from nineteenth-century imperial ambitions into something more complex: a vision that simultaneously carried forward problematic assumptions while providing tools for revolutionary social movements. These cosmic dreamers imagined frontiers where technological advancement could bridge human differences and create unprecedented unity among diverse peoples.
Through careful examination of popular science writing and speculative fiction, Kilgore demonstrates how the symbolism of space exploration reflects both America's imperial legacy and its democratic aspirations. The result is a nuanced portrait of how utopian thinking adapts to social crisis, revealing the contradictions and possibilities embedded within our collective imagination.
For readers interested in how visionary thinking shapes social progress, this work offers profound insights into the relationship between technological dreams and spiritual transformation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 294 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Space and time
- ✓ Explore Life on other planets in literature
- ✓ Explore Astronautics in literature
- ✓ Explore Space and time in literature
- ✓ Explore Future, The, in literature
- ✓ Explore Literature and science
- ✓ Explore Science fiction, history and criticism
- ✓ Explore Future in literature
