Mehanovic, M. (2021).
Fate according to the Pose Edda narration of
Ragnarok: A theological contemplation, elaboration and insight to the Norse
pagan concept of fate (Master’s thesis, University of Gävle). DiVA portal.
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1583637
Mehanović’s thesis probes about the fate in the Prose Edda’s narration of
Ragnarok where the apocalyptic battle of Gods and giants perish before the
world is reborn. Through a hermeneutic(interpretation theory) method, the
author argues that Ragnarok illustrates “weak theological fatalism” meaning
that the end is foretold and inevitable yet the gods act willingly, fighting
even when they know they will lose. This interpretation integrates
Nietzsche’s Amor Fati, the idea of embracing fate with love by showing how
Odin and the Aesir fight despite knowing they will perish, finding meaning in
acceptance rather than resistance. This concept parallels with existential
philosophy where meaning comes not from altering destiny but affirming it. A
key strength of this work is its clear distinction between logical fatalism
(where events are necessary by logic) and theological fatalism (where events
are determined by divine knowledge supported backed by detailed textual
and linguistic evidence, like the meaning of “Ragnarok” as “fate of the
rulers.” It also enhances understanding by connecting the myth to modern
philosophical ideas such as the “Designer of Destiny.” However, a limitation
is the heavy academic tone and frequent theoretical digressions which might
be overwhelming for creative writers looking for straightforward narrative
inspiration. Despite this, this is highly relevant to my speculative story of
looping simulations as it offers valuable insights into cyclical time,
inevitability and meaning, where characters struggle to find meaning when
every cycle resets. It also raises compelling questions : Is acceptance of a
scripted end a form of freedom? Can resistance exist within a designed
system? Whereby, providing an essential conceptual backbone for exploring
identity, agency and inevitability in my project.
Bröndum, K. (2023). The blurring of human and artificial intelligence in Philip
K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Bachelor’s thesis). Faculty of
Education and Business Studies, Department of Humanities.
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1849789
Bröndum’s thesis offers an insightful postmodern analysis of Philip K. Dick’s
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, focusing on how technological and
ethical pressures erode the boundary between humans and androids. The
study uses Baudrillard’s idea of simulacra and Derrida’s theory of
deconstruction to show that the novel creates a world where authenticity is
an illusion and identity is fluid or never fixed. One of its main strengths is the
detailed discussion of empathy, often seen as the defining trait of humanity
and how it is challenged by devices like the Voigt-Kampff test (a polygraph-
like test that measures empathy to separate humans from androids) and the
Penfield mood organ (a machine that lets users dial and feel specific
emotions).Brondum demonstrates how these tools turn emotions into
something controlled and artificial making natural feelings seem like
programmed responses. The thesis also skillfully applies theoretical ideas
such as Baudrillard’s hyperreality helps interpret the novel’s imitation of life
through electric animals and empathy ritual while Derrida’s ethics of
difference challenges fixed definitions of “the human.” However, some
sections particularly the discussion on contemporary AI topics like the Turing
test feel somewhat speculative and lack strong textual support. Additionally,
while the paper acknowledges other critical angles such as capitalist
structures and environmental decay, these are not explored in depth.
Despite these limitations, the work remains a valuable contribution for
understanding how Dick critiques technology, consciousness, and moral
responsibility compounded with the fact that the paper is informative and
relevant to my creative piece because it addresses the collapse of
boundaries between humans and artificial beings an idea central to my
narrative of looping simulations and unstable realities.
Le Guin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness. New York: Ace Books,
1969.mlook.mobi https://www.mlook.mobi
Ursula K. Le Guin’s *The Left Hand of Darkness* is a significant work in
speculative fiction that examines identity, power, and truth through the
experiences of Genly Ai, an envoy who meets the androgynous people of
Gethen. By envisioning a society where individuals are neither strictly male
nor female, Le Guin challenges traditional notions of gender and emphasizes
how culture and perception influence identity. The story weaves together
personal struggles and broader political issues, evident in Estraven’s exile
and the rivalry between Karhide and Orgoreyn the two nations on Gethen
vying for territory and power. This highlights the ongoing tension between
loyalty, fear and the need for belonging throughout the novel. A notable
strength of the book is its innovative use of narrative structure myths,
reports and shifting voices that creates a fragmented sense of reality and
mirrors the theme that “truth is a matter of the imagination.” This approach
not only enriches the philosophical depth but also provides a model for
complex worldbuilding where culture, politics, and myth are inseparable.
Another strength is the moral complexity given to characters like Estraven,
whose loyalty and sacrifice reshape how Genly understands trust and
connection. A weakness, however is that the novel often places too much
emphasis on gender which overshadows other equally rich themes such as
power, political and survival, which may limit the novel’s impact for readers
less interested in gender dynamics. Moreover, the story feels slow-paced
because of its dense descriptions, and Genly Ai’s outsider perspective
occasionally mirrors the stereotypes that the novel seeks to critique.
Nevertheless, the novel remains highly influential because it demonstrates
how speculative settings can be used to ask profound questions about what
it means to be human, how societies construct identity, and how belonging is
negotiated across difference. For my project, it offers a model for building
immersive settings where fragmented narratives and unreliable perspectives
reflect deeper questions of memory, destiny, and reality. Le Guin shows that
worldbuilding is not only decorative but can also become a way of thinking
through the contradictions of human existence.
