Imaginary Worlds Prologue to Ursula K. le Guin
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Jan 3, 2024 1960s sci-fi novelist Ursula K. le Guin challenged colonialist narrative in American science fiction. The Dark Secret Behind Omalass raises ethical questions about utopia. An encounter with a stranger leads to an exploration of cultural relativism and anthropological ethics. Ursula K. le Guin's parents influenced her imagination and love for cultural relativism. Efforts to reclaim tribal identity and repatriate native remains are discussed.
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Unconventional Ethics Lessons
- Ben Naddaff-Hafrey's father used unconventional stories like Blade Runner and Riding Giants to teach ethics.
- He argued these stories weren't about their apparent subjects, but deeper ethical dilemmas.
Omelas and its Secret
- Ursula K. Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas describes a utopia built on a child's suffering.
- This seemingly simple story about ethics is more complex than it appears.
Ishi's Discovery
- In 1911, Ad Kessler discovered a man who spoke no recognizable language near Oroville, California.
- This man, later known as Ishi, was believed to be the last of the Yahi, a tribe decimated by settlers.