LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Student Future-Vision Presentation 2011

Jenn Tullos

I Think I Can Fly, Nathan!  (TV Series: Heroes)

Primary Objectives:

1. To identify, describe, and criticize stories humans tell about the future:
   1. Evolutionary – Human DNA has evolved to provide for extraordinary abilities
   2. Apocalyptic – There is an impending bomb threat that will destroy the known world.

2. To identify typical visions of the future as seen from 2011
   1. Low tech; actual reality – The heroes are seemingly normal humans living within actual reality; they just happen to have evolved DNA strands, providing them superhuman abilities.  

TV Series:  Heroes (2006-2010) Created by Tim Kring

Show TV Clip One: “Genesis” Scene: Mohinder teaching about evolution 2:35

Show TV Clip Two: “Genesis” Scene: Mohinder and Peter in the taxi 30:55

Summary:

In the first season, interestingly entitled “Genesis,” a group of seemingly ordinary people discover special abilities are evolving. Mohinder, a genetics professor, researches the evolutionary reasoning behind this sudden change in selected human DNA. These people develop abilities such as flying, telepathy, super strength, mind reading, painting the future, time travel, etc.

As the series continues, the special individuals cling together to avoid a conspiracy group attempting to capture and study them, while feeling increasing pressure to save the world from impending apocalyptic doom. On top of all of this pressure, a villain named Sylar surfaces with the goal of killing everyone with abilities so that he can absorb them and become the world’s most powerful person. The heroes must learn to balance their powers and responsibilities discretely, because once the government gets wind of them, a genocidal extinction plan ensues. Can the heroes save the world without causing it further damage? Can they do this without being captured and killed? Is it even their responsibility to try?       

Show TV Clip Three: “Five Years Gone” Scene: Mohinder and Nathan 11:30

Questions to Discuss:

1. The general idea of evolution is “survival of the fittest.” However, people—particularly Americans—tend to want everything freely at their disposal. How do you think our government and society would react to human evolution if it were as selective as it is in Heroes?
2. All throughout the first season, these evolved humans have been focused on saving the world from an apocalyptic ending. Is it possible that evolution could aid in deterring an apocalypse? How might it help and how might it hinder?
3. If human DNA evolution were to happen, would those select individuals have a greater responsibility within society? More control? Who would have ultimate power: the masses or those with powerful abilities?
4. Can evolution be reversed? Can it be advanced? Should science attempt to tamper with it? What could be the effects (both good and bad)?