Episode 36: Jordan Carroll on Science Fiction and the Alt Right
Oct 22, 2024
auto_awesome
Jordan Carroll, author of "Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right," explores the intriguing intersections between sci-fi fandom and far-right ideologies. He discusses how online communities and conventional masculinity contribute to the rise of extremist views in science fiction. Carroll critiques popular works like 'Dune' and 'Warhammer 40K,' revealing their exploitation by the alt-right. The conversation also highlights the urgent need for diverse voices to reshape the genre and combat its appropriation by oppressive ideologies.
The podcast discusses how science fiction serves as a platform for far-right groups to promote white supremacy and a utopian vision.
It highlights the role of science fiction fandom in perpetuating conservative masculinities, where marginalized male fans seek validation through elitist narratives.
The conversation emphasizes the strategic co-opting of cultural narratives by far-right factions to further their political agendas and recruit new members.
Deep dives
Science Fiction as a Political Tool
Science fiction has historically been linked to various political ideologies, including the far-right. The genre provides a framework for envisioning radically different futures, which far-right groups use to promote white supremacy. This connection is illustrated through the fandom of figures like Richard Spencer and the alt-right, who adopt science fiction narratives to justify their vision of a white utopia. By reinterpreting popular sci-fi themes, these groups create a cultural narrative that aligns with their political agenda.
Masculinity and Fandom
Online and in-person fandom communities around science fiction often foster a specific type of masculinity that reflects a sense of wounded identity. This phenomenon is part of a broader taxonomy of conservative masculinities, where male fans feel marginalized and seek validation through imagined superiority. As the podcast discusses, these communities have created an environment where masculinity is performance-based and often reinforces elite and exclusionary attitudes. This type of masculinity contributes to the recruitment strategies of far-right movements, appealing to individuals looking to assert dominance.
The Misuse of Science Fiction
Far-right factions have shown a strategic interest in cultural narratives found within science fiction to gain traction and influence. Groups like Gamergate have blurred the lines between fandom and politics, creating an appealing subtext for extremists seeking to acquire new members. These far-right actors use sci-fi tropes to construct alternate meanings in stories, promoting an elite vision that supports their ideologies. This reflects a broader trend where cultural products are co-opted to serve divisive political ends.
Gender Dynamics and Speculation
Gender and sexuality are deeply intertwined within the narratives of far-right ideologies, which often portray a hyper-masculine future. These movements express anxiety over changing gender roles and often tie these fears to a sense of cultural decline. The notion that only white men can envision a future reinforces a troubling idea of entitlement and meritocracy within their ranks. This speculative approach often fails to recognize the diverse contributions that challenge their hierarchical visions of society.
The Future of Science Fiction in Culture
The podcast highlights a crucial tension in contemporary science fiction fandom, where commercial interests often conflict with the genre's potential for critical exploration. As major franchises proliferate, they risk losing the speculative dimension that allows for questioning societal norms and envisioning better futures. Effective altruism and the Silicon Valley ethos often shape these narratives in ways that favor capitalism over critique. There is hope, however, as the expansion of audience demographics may allow for more inclusive imaginings of the future that transcend simplistic racial and gendered narratives.
Jordan Carroll, author of the new book Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right (which you can buy here) walks Moira and Adrian through the connections between science fiction fandom, gender conservatism and the Alt Right. Space marines, aliens, Bene Gesserit, and insane God Emperors: this one has them all!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
