Literature

Mass Hysteria, by Lionel Shriver

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Shriver is labeled an extremist by some critics for her barely dystopian novel about contemporary America, subjected in a decade to a mandatory and debilitating “mental parity.” No sign of superior intelligence is tolerated anymore. The leveling down overturns even the foundations of statistics, since no one with “above-average” abilities exists. Everyone is equal. But … Read more

Sensitivity readers or new breed of inquisitors?

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Abstract: Authors write about people, not for them. Essential nuance and yet misunderstood by editors assisted by ‘sensitivity readers’. A misunderstanding caused by a misconception of the collective? Bram Stoker redacted by Dracula Dracula, hired as Bram Stoker’s sensitive reader, rewrote his vampire classic. How did this author of the Barbarian Ages have the audacity … Read more

Decline of science fiction and burial in the present

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“Science fiction often presents humanity as a single entity: the crises and challenges they present must be faced collectively. This is why science fiction frequently conveys humanistic ideals and shared aspirations, such as “harmony in difference” and “unity in diversity”. Liu Cixin, SF author Technological and literary take-off My generation of boomers is the generation … Read more

Series writer: the executor of great works

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Is there worse engeance than the series scripwriter? Has literary idols been trained more deadly assassins? Not. The buffoon is cold, efficient, fully in accordance with its mold. Proud of his massacre, even, watching the donkeys chew the remains of the work. The most desperate thing, is it the targeted viewer content with his cinematic … Read more