LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Student Future-Visions Presentation 2009

Christi Wood

The Island: How Far is Too Far?

Synopsis: Lincoln Six-Echo is a resident of a seemingly Utopian but contained facility in the year 2019. The residents have been told that “The Island” is the only place on the planet that has not been contaminated. Each resident is in a lottery drawing to win a life on “The Island.” Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully controlled environment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to the "The Island.” His friend is chosen, and Lincoln is curious about where he goes. Lincoln finds his friend’s body being cut open and parts being removed and realizes that his whole life’s existence has been a lie. He and all of the other inhabitants of the facility are actually human clones. Lincoln makes a daring escape with a fellow resident named Jordan Two-Delta. They hope to meet their human clones and convince them to set them free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtyC3jFh6eM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7OgbpKZ1sU&NR=1

Objective 1: Narratives of the Future

Evolutionary (new creations, life continues as long as there are more clone parts for humans)

Objective 2: Visions of the Future

High tech - body enhancement, implants (transplanting clone parts into human parts to give humans longer life span)

Low tech - actual reality (the clones thought they were human; had feelings)

Utopia - perfectly planned world (when human parts give out they can replace them with clone parts and keep living)

Dystopia - dysfunctional (clones find out the truth and want to live; rebel)

Questions for thought:

Is the island an example of a utopia or dystopia? Is the real world a utopia or dystopia? Which life would be more appealing; clone or human, island or dystopia?

Do you think it would be possible for a clone to have feelings?

If we were creating clones and had the knowledge that our creation could turn on us and kill to save themselves, should we still try to do it? How far is too far?

Instructor adds (to "how far is too far"):

What genetic manipulations seem currently acceptable?

What options are available between banning (> black market) and free market?