DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery

Warping into a Connected Future

Alyson R Buckman author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Lexington Books

Published:11th Sep '24

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery cover

Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery focuses on the shift from the liberal humanism of the Star Trek franchise to the intersectional humanism of Star Trek: Discovery. Featuring a great deal of diversity both in front of and behind the camera, Discovery affirms the guiding principle of the franchise: infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Arguing that the focus of Discovery is a connection between a variety of beings and ways of being in the world, the author analyzes the relationships among humanoids and machines, animals, and between each other as well as the representation of trauma in the series. The author finds that, while there are reversions to some of the more problematic elements of liberal humanism over the course of the series, ultimately it forms connections that will progress humanity and deepen our relationship to each other and the world around us.

Now is the time for this book. Alyson Buckman expertly connects Star Trek: Discovery to the franchise’s longstanding history of liberal humanistic ideas. She also provides a look at ways Discovery re-imagines humanism for the 21st Century and beyond. Through an intersectional humanist lens, Buckman presents a clear, well-researched monograph that arrives as the series finishes allowing for contemplation on Discovery as a whole for fans and scholars alike. The timely, thought-provoking arguments illuminate the complexity and impact of Star Trek’s foundation of humanistic thought. Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery effectively supports meaningful conversations encouraging intersectional forms of humanism as well.

-- Carey Millsap-Spears, author of Star Trek Discovery and the Female Gothic: Tell Fear No

“This book takes its cue from a simple yet essential Vulcan teaching: 'Challenge your preconceptions or they'll challenge you.' Star Trek: Discovery presents such a challenge to Trekademics, other scholars, and fans alike. Alyson R. Buckman captures both the nuance and flavor of what the show attempted to do, i.e. push Star Trek’s signature humanism into a more intersectional future."

-- Stefan "Steve" Rabitsch, University of Oslo, author of Star Trek and the British Age of Sail

"Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery presents a very thoroughly researched and convincing reading of Discovery. It does not shy away from noting where the show remains mired the franchise's liberal humanist origins, but also highlights the ways in which it presents a future embracing intersectional humanism. "

-- Mareike Spychala, University of Bam

ISBN: 9781666905298

Dimensions: 236mm x 158mm x 20mm

Weight: 522g

254 pages