Futurismnow

"Getting Away With It...Is The American Way" Sanders draws a particularly compelling point regarding the nature of American politicians and historical figures in his texts entitled  Looking for Rhonda Honda  and  Going After Old Man Alabama.  In these works, Sanders highlights how American political crusaders in power have the ability to mobilize the public and alter the future of their nation and the affected peoples for good. When a particular force has enough influence over the masses, whether it be through political status or power in numbers, the trajectory of social progress falls in their hands for better or for worse. With this established, Sanders seemingly alludes to the potential of refocusing that power to create a new form of hegemony. In  Looking for Rhonda Honda,  Sanders takes a more optimistic approach towards the effects of utilizing a power position for social progress. The U.S. President of the hypothetical future gender-morphed...

  Fisk Candau   Dr Ellis   EN376   18 Sep 2023      Something I was very interested in reading the last third of Na Viro especially was the ethics of Pawta’ s existence and function within the story.      Throughout the book, Pawta is presented as a sentient being capable of thought and communication and emotion. But, in my mind at least, this presentation either contrasts or is exceedingly problematic in the light of Pawta having access codes and ways to overrid e her wants and desires instead of having free will.      While this is not necessarily a problem when it comes to the Thraens ’ partnership with that species of creature, since the two species grow up together and are socialised one in light of the other in order for there to be an immense amount of respect between the two, this is not the case when humans from Earth board and commandeer Pawta and use her as a vessel and object rather than a n actual...

  Jasper Martin  Dr Ellis  EN 376 September 18, 2023      As the main plotline of Na Viro came to an end, I found myself looking at the ways the different stories being told in Na Viro all were concluded, what loose ends were left untied, and mainly, about how I felt about what I felt the message of the story was. Something I really liked in the story is how it went about the classic story trope of getting over a fear in a unique way. Tia is very talented in just about everything that has to do with exploring space, but she fears the unknown so she is afraid to do exactly what it is she wants to do. Tia also has things like family issues that I feel like even though this story takes place in a relatively distant future with many things that are far from relatable to the average person, through things like this, we get to feel like we understand her vulnerability. This got me thinking about how we view people just in the world today, and how even though many...

  Mel Raymond  Dr. Elllis EN 376 Post Colonial Literature 18 September 2023 Sisterhood is a driving force throughout the novel but it is especially notable how sisterhood is so embedded into Tia. The reason Tia had decided to overcome her fear of deep space and leave her home island was because of Leilani and while she is in space she has to remind her mother that she came to save her sister, not to appease her. When she finds Leilani alive and unharmed she is flooded with relief  “Tia wrapped her arms around Leilani and laughed. Tears rolled down her cheeks.‘You’re ok. I’m here’ She wouldn’t release her sister… She released Leilani for a mmooment. Leilani slumped and Tia gathered her into another bear hug and sobbed” (Cole 239).  Even after this bittersweet moment and Tia discovers that Leilani had been working behind her back for many years she remains aligned with her  over Dani, because although she was part of the Academy’s harvest mission she hadn’t harmed...

  Lucy Marous Dr. Ellis EN 376-01 18 September 2023 In the final third of Na Viro , Gina Cole further explores how emotion is what makes us human and especially does so through the character of Turukawa. Towards the end of the novel, Turukawa sacrifices herself.  When she realizes that she cannot go with Tia because Dani’s hands are still attached to her body, the embod falls in the whirlpool, ending her distinct life and giving up her blossoming romance with Tia. “Turukawa transferred her brain fingerprint into Tia’s sleeve patches. ‘I love you’ said Turukawa, and she let go” (Cole 324). This expression of love is a distinctly human emotion and it coupled with the action she takes proves that Turukawa is capable of having human feelings which blurs the line between human and machine. In doing so Cole makes the point that our emotions give us our humanity. Turukawa’s sacrifice is what makes her unique from the other technology and allows for her to grow beyond her programmin...

 Lindsey Robert 9/18/23                Na Viro Reflection        Na Viro portrays many theme and conflicts, Cole introduces an indigenous character as a criminal in colonial violence displayed in Tia and Leilani’s mother, Dani. It was interesting to question why Dani did all of this, maybe an inner struggle of hers trying to be a good mom but being sucked into the Academy? Dani was crude to Tia on the mission to find Leilani. “Dani turned and grabbed Tia’s arms. Tia cried out in pain and held herself rigid as Dani stared into her eyes. ‘I am the ship’s captain. You will show me respect, cadet. Don’t expect any special treatment.’ Spittle flecks shot from her mouth as she spoke.”(Cole 151). Dani had been actively participating in colonialism. “Dani rushed back to the door. ‘The probe holds vital information for the Academy, for the future of Earth. Your future.” (Cole 190). The question furthers to why did Dani participate ...

Liliana Norris Dr. Ellis EN 376 18 September 2023 Na Viro  Reflection             In this final third of the story, Cole examines several themes and conflicts in the text. As we discussed earlier in class, Cole provokingly presents an indigenous person as the main perpetrator or colonial violence in Dani’s character. While the story focuses on Tia, I found myself more drawn to her mother. What were Dani’s motivations? Although raised in touch with her culture (I assume since Bubu Keleni raised Tia and Leilani this way), Dani stands firmly with The Academy. After Tia imprisons her, Leilani comes to speak with her mother. Here we see Dani’s pathetic attempt at manipulation, her pleading to her daughters that “‘there are some things you don’t know’” (258). But what, exactly?             It seems easy to write off Dani as an evil villain, an instrument of the strangel...