Posthuman Identity and Memory in Hannu Rajaniemi's The Quantum Thief
Lehto, Katja (2024)
Lehto, Katja
2024
Kielten kandidaattiohjelma - Bachelor's Programme in Languages
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-09-18
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202408198171
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202408198171
Tiivistelmä
This thesis examines Hannu Rajaniemi’s novel The Quantum Thief in the context of posthumanism, conceived as the idea of technologically achieved consciousness outside of natural human existence. Consequently, posthumanism aspires to advance consciousness beyond human potential and limitations. In The Quantum Thief most of humanity has been uploaded to computers. Many obstacles like the mortality and weakness of the biological human body have been conquered, but new problems have emerged: inequality has increased, new competing factions have been born and the minds of people are used as commodities. The thesis explores the ways in which Rajaniemi’s depiction of posthumanism balance its potential benefits with critique of its limitations. Together with posthumanist theories the thesis’s critical approach draws on social memory studies, which is a field focusing on society’s impact on memory. The thesis examines the effect of social memory on the formation of identity. Memories are born in social environments and enable people to relive past events and learn from them, thereby shaping a person’s identity and outlook on life. Ultimately, the human mind is highly dependent on memories and the environment in which they are created.
A being is aware of its own existence and of other beings through consciousness, while collective consciousness connects communities and enables collaboration. In the novel, human minds existing in servers have a potential for one efficient collaborative entity. Yet, the people are individuals and have pride in their human roots and traditions, which are important in the creation of identity. This represents the human desire for individuality even in a collective consciousness. Like humans on Earth, the posthuman lifeforms in the novel have malleable personalities that are shaped by their culture, society, and memories. Consequently, a person’s identity is shaped by the narrative constructed from memories, and people have the ability to change their narrative. However, the instantaneous effects of memory editing introduce a new fear for the future. The advancement of technology and posthuman existence present anxieties for modern society regarding the preservation of humanity. Thus, the themes of humanity and identity are questioned when minds are augmented, copied, or combined in collective consciousness.
Essentially, The Quantum Thief suggests that the separation from a human body does not change humanity inside. While posthuman existence takes advantage of information technology, the inhabitants are still human with their human emotions and anxieties and the human mind continues to delight in earthly traditions. Thus, posthumanism does not need to abandon humanity in its quest to prolong existence through technology.
A being is aware of its own existence and of other beings through consciousness, while collective consciousness connects communities and enables collaboration. In the novel, human minds existing in servers have a potential for one efficient collaborative entity. Yet, the people are individuals and have pride in their human roots and traditions, which are important in the creation of identity. This represents the human desire for individuality even in a collective consciousness. Like humans on Earth, the posthuman lifeforms in the novel have malleable personalities that are shaped by their culture, society, and memories. Consequently, a person’s identity is shaped by the narrative constructed from memories, and people have the ability to change their narrative. However, the instantaneous effects of memory editing introduce a new fear for the future. The advancement of technology and posthuman existence present anxieties for modern society regarding the preservation of humanity. Thus, the themes of humanity and identity are questioned when minds are augmented, copied, or combined in collective consciousness.
Essentially, The Quantum Thief suggests that the separation from a human body does not change humanity inside. While posthuman existence takes advantage of information technology, the inhabitants are still human with their human emotions and anxieties and the human mind continues to delight in earthly traditions. Thus, posthumanism does not need to abandon humanity in its quest to prolong existence through technology.
Kokoelmat
- Kandidaatintutkielmat [8709]