New Books in Literary Studies

Utopia is Boring with Evie Kendal

Oct 14, 2025
Dr. Evie Kendal, a bioethicist and public health scientist, dives into the intriguing intersection of science fiction and ethics. She explores how nostalgia TV and literature can inform public health, discusses ectogenesis as a radical bioethical concept, and critiques the misuse of dystopian narratives. Kendal emphasizes the need for rigorous literary analysis in bioethics and warns against oversimplifying complex technologies. Get ready to rethink the role of fiction in shaping ethical discussions around emerging technologies!
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ANECDOTE

Hybrid Scientific And Literary Training

  • Evie Kendal combined biomedical science with literature to find a creative niche.
  • She moved from lab work to public health and bioethics, blending science and storytelling.
INSIGHT

Stories Sustained People During COVID

  • Art and nostalgia culture helped sustain people's moods during the pandemic.
  • Kendal argues these stories offered necessary escape and emotional support.
INSIGHT

Shallow Sci‑Fi Replaces Rigorous Argument

  • Bioethicists often rely on shallow sci‑fi tropes instead of deep argumentation.
  • Kendal urges respectful interdisciplinary engagement and richer literary methods.
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