Are you a fan of our The E.I. of Sci-Fi over on our YouTube channel? Then this will most definitely be of interest! Here’s STARBURST writer and The E.I. of Sci-Fi host/creator Rachel Knightley to tell us more…

“This Sunday, 7pm my time and 2pm theirs, I’m doing a workshop on Jewish ethics in science fiction for Limmud North America. This, like Mr Lister’s “ouroboros” birth (if you don’t know, come along and find out), is something of a full circle as the STARBURST series it’s based on is itself based on the Jewish culture and learning that Limmud explores and celebrates.

I’ve often joked I was brought up on two religions: Judaism and Star Trek. But the real joke in there was the idea that science fiction and my own belief system were in any way separate. What appeals to me about both – and the reason I’m here, part of STARBURST, writing this – is awareness of the world not simply as it is but as it could, and should, be.

Most of us know Leonard Nimoy peaked at the priestly blessing as a kid and remembered the gesture in creating the Vulcan salute; Star Trek fans have also explored how Yatzer Hatov (our selfish side) and Yatzer Hatov (our benevolent side) are more use combined than separated (see transporter accidents and parallel universes in the original series’ Mirror Mirror, The Enemy Within). In The E.I. of Sci -Fi on STARBURST’s YouTube channel, I go on from Star Trek to talk about Red Dwarf’s parallel universes and how those different versions of self show the versions of the same man blaming the world or, as Ace Rimmer and my belief system feel we have a duty to, repairing it, making as good as we can (Tikkun Olam: repairing the world).

You don’t have to be Jewish, or even a science fiction fan, and we won’t try to turn you into either (both are non-evangelistic religions. Well, Judaism is. I guess it depends on the individual sci-fi fan!). But it will be a great chat about all things sci-fi – so bring along your own thoughts to share too. It’d be great to see STARBURST faces there!”

To join Rachel’s workshop, register here:  limmudna.org/efestival

Scroll on for previous episodes of The E.I. of Sci-Fi!

 

 


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