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Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery focuses on the shift from the liberal humanism of the Star Trek franchise to the intersectional humanism of Star Trek: Discovery. Featuring a great deal of diversity both in front of and behind the camera, Discovery affirms the guiding principle of the franchise: infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Arguing that the focus of Discovery is a connection between a variety of beings and ways of being in the world, the author analyzes the relationships among humanoids and machines, animals, and between each other as well as the representation of trauma in the series. The author finds that, while there are reversions to some of the more problematic elements of liberal humanism over the course of the series, ultimately it forms connections that will progress humanity and deepen our relationship to each other and the world around us.
List of contents
Introduction: "Let's Fly!"
Part I: Investigating Humanism and Posthumanism in
Star Trek: DiscoveryChapter 1: "Order by Any Means Necessary": Dis-identification from Liberal Humanism
Chapter 2: "I prefer cybernetically-augmented, thank you very much": Posthumanism and Becoming-Machine
Chapter 3: "An Entire Universe of Possibilities": Posthumanism and Becoming-Animal
Part II: Developing Intersectional Humanism Through Diversity of Representation in
Star Trek: DiscoveryChapter 4: "I Lead to Bring Everyone Home": Leading Towards Intersectional Humanism
Chapter 5: "Children Are Parasites": Parenting and Dehumanization
Chapter 6: "The Best Way to Know Yourself Is to Know Others": Humanization through Intimacy
Chapter 7: "Blood and Screams and Funerals": Humanization Through Trauma
Conclusion: "Don't Give Up"
About the author
Alyson R. Buckman is professor in the Department of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento.
