Jim Endersby

Jim Endersby, a professor of the history of science at the University of Sussex, shares insights from his book on early twentieth-century biology. He describes the public's fascination with mutation theory and how it fueled imaginative futures in literature and politics. Endersby introduces the concept of 'biotopia,' exploring its utopian and dystopian implications. He highlights the role of science fiction in shaping public perceptions and discusses feminist perspectives on biology, linking these historical ideas to contemporary debates on genetic engineering and AI.

Jim Endersby, a Professor at the University of Sussex, dives into the early 20th-century intersection of biology and culture. He discusses Hugo de Vries’s mutation theory and its fleeting fame, sparking public imagination about evolution. Endersby explores the concept of 'biotopia,' revealing how fiction writers like H.G. Wells reimagined biological futures. He also highlights the role of early sci-fi fandom in shaping scientific ideas and examines the influence of feminist and socialist narratives on evolving viewpoints about heredity.

Jim Endersby, a professor of the history of science at the University of Sussex, dives into the intriguing interplay between biology and culture in the early 20th century. He discusses the forgotten mutation theory of Hugo de Vries and its unexpected impact on popular imagination, including its influence on notable writers like H.G. Wells. The concept of 'biotopia' emerges as he explores how narratives in fiction shaped public understanding of evolution and genetics, reflecting both utopian and dystopian visions for the future.