Abstract

Abstract:

This paper examines the idea of memory being a dangerous weapon through the genre of sci-fi, specifically as the basis of a collective history for artificial life forms which poses a danger to the state, as I examine three shows: Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, and the HBO series Westworld. Furthermore, the affect of traumatic memories in artificial life parallels the ways that the state deals with post-traumatic stress (PTS) in soldiers; in this revelation I examine parallels to veteran testimonies of military atrocities. Overall, three things arise within these stories: 1) Memory is dangerous to the state; 2) The state attempts to manage and control memory; and 3) Memory can be liberatory, as it is an act of resistance.

pdf

Share