Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson
ISBN: 978-1-78904-510-9
Publisher: Zer0 Books
Publication Date: October 30, 2020
Price: $25.95
H. P. Lovecraft’s aliens are extra-terrestrial, terrestrial & trans-dimensional entities, totally unlike any other aliens in science fiction literature. In contrast, Isaac Asimov’s & William Gibson’s aliens are human created-positronic robots & virtual reality constructs, or “idols.”
Lovecraft’s great theme is alien indifferentism, tinged with a malevolence that escalates into an existential, apocalyptic threat against humankind, while for Asimov & Gibson, alien inclusionism is the norm. The robots and the VR idols integrate into society & their influence appears to be beneficial. But this is only on the surface.
In this book, John L. Steadman demonstrates that there is ultimately little difference between alien indifferentism & alien inclusionism in the fictional works of these three great writers. For in fact, the robots and the VR idols evolve into monsters whose actions bring about outcomes which are every bit as terrifying as anything in Lovecraft’s work.
Humans tend to be isolates (“alien”-ated). The reader is invited to question this, and to consider the possibility that an alien perspective, or platform, might, perhaps, be crucial if we intend on seeing ourselves clearly & understanding exactly what it means to be human.
H. P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition
ISBN: 978-1-57863-587-0
Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Price: $22.95
Modern practicing occultists have argued that renowned horror writer H. P. Lovecraft was in possession of in-depth knowledge of black magick. Literary scholars claim that he was a master of his genre and craft, and his findings are purely psychological, nothing more. Was Lovecraft a practitioner of the dark arts himself? Did he have privileged access to knowledge that cannot be otherwise explained?
Weaving the life story of Lovecraft in and out of an analysis of various modern magickal systems, scholar John L. Steadman has found direct and concrete examples that demonstrate that Lovecraft's works and specifically his Cthulhu Mythos and his creation of the Necronomicon are a legitimate basis for a working magickal system.
Whether you believe Lovecraft had supernatural powers or not, no one can argue against Lovecraft's profound influence on many modern black arts and the darker undercurrents of Western occultism.