University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies Hispanic Studies 2015 For the Love of Robots: Posthumanism in Latin American Science Fiction Between 1960-1999 Grace A. Martin University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Martin, Grace A., "For the Love of Robots: Posthumanism in Latin American Science Fiction Between 1960-1999" (2015). Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies. 21. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hisp_etds/21 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Hispanic Studies at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Grace A. Martin, Student Dr. Enrico Mario Santí, Major Professor Dr. Moisés Castillo, Director of Graduate Studies FOR THE LOVE OF ROBOTS: POSTHUMANISM IN LATIN AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION BETWEEN 1960-1999 ____________________________________ DISSERTATION ____________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Grace A. Martin Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Enrico Mario Santí, William T. Bryan Professor of Hispanic Studies Lexington, Kentucky 2015 Copyright © Grace A. Martin 2015 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION FOR THE LOVE OF ROBOTS: POSTHUMANISM IN LATIN AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION BETWEEN 1960-1999 Posthumanism—understood as a symbiotic relationship between humans and technology—is quickly and surely becoming an inextricable part of daily life. In an era where technology can be worn as an extension of—and an enhancement to—our bodies, traditional science fiction tropes such as robots and cyborgs resurface and reformulate questions on critical aspects of human experience: who are we and what do our (imagined) technologies say about our world? Such questions are far more complex than they appear. Their answers should not come from one source alone, as humanness is experienced differently across time and cultural systems. In this sense, it is imperative to focus critical attention on works beyond the English-language canon in order to discover alternative readings of the posthuman, understand how varying historical, social, and economic contexts give new meanings to robots, cyborgs and hyper-technological imaginaries, and provide balancing perspectives to the ideas presented in canon posthuman science fiction from the developed world. To this end, this study centers on posthuman science fiction from Latin America. The primary works included here are limited only to Mexico, Chile, and Argentina—three of the countries with the greatest science fiction output in the region. This study explores the intersections of gender, sexualities, and posthumanism, as well as the underlying sociopolitical implications of such narratives. They exhibit an undeniable influence of canon Anglophone science fiction in terms of tropes (robots as mates for humans, cybernetic doppelgangers, technological utopias and dystopias) as well as problematic representations of gender, sex, and race. Yet, at the same time, posthuman elements in these Latin American narratives exhibit distinct local traits. Moreover, robot and cyborg figures enhance and renew discourses of political corruption, dictatorial trauma, surveillance, social and ecological decline. This study aims to outline the ways in which Latin American posthuman science fiction stands apart from the canon and proves itself as a legitimate genre. Simultaneously, this project seeks to supplement the nascent critical corpus on Latin American science fiction. It is my hope that this study’s insights will contribute to the field’s growth and success with scholars and readers alike. KEYWORDS: Posthumanism, Robots, Cyborgs, Gender and Sexualities, Surveillance. Grace A. Martin Student’s Signature March 9, 2015 Date FOR THE LOVE OF ROBOTS: POSTHUMANISM IN LATIN AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION BETWEEN 1960-1999 By Grace A. Martin Dr. Enrico Mario Santí Director of Dissertation Dr. Moisés Castillo Director of Graduate Studies March 9, 2015 Date To Chris, Joseph Haydn, and coffee. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS At the end of one of my life’s greatest journeys, I am filled with gratitude for many people without whom this project may have never come to fruition. My dissertation director, Dr. Enrico Mario Santí, has been an exceptional mentor. His unconditional support, encouragement, guidance, and sense of humor have made a great difference. I am especially grateful for his invaluable academic insights and stylistic suggestions, which have enhanced my research and allowed my writing to evolve. I would also like to thank Dr. Yanira Paz, whose kindness, patience, and advice have motivated me to persevere in the pursuit of my professional goals in academia. I am equally thankful for Dr. Susan Larson’s thoughtful feedback and support, as well as the cordial helpfulness of Dr. Cristina Alcalde. Both of them witnessed my work in its earliest stages, and I am glad to share with them what ultimately came from the overly-enthusiastic “robot” thesis proposal they once read. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Armando Prats, who joined us in the last leg of this journey with reassuring enthusiasm. I am as happy as I am honored to have worked with all of them. As I wrote my dissertation, I remained (somewhat) sane and conquered many challenges thanks to my wonderful family. My amazing husband, Chris Martin, was always doubtless that I could reach my goal and instilled that confidence in my often-doubtful self. His loving words and gestures encourage me to rally and go forth no matter what obstacles lay ahead. My mother-in-law, Janet Martin, is one of the strongest, kindest people I know and her fortitude inspired me in the most arduous times of my writing process. Finally, the biggest thanks goes to my parents, Vicente Rhenals and Rubiela Vélez, who taught me to value knowledge above all and provide me with endless love and support. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................... iii List of Figures ............................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction: The Singularity is Near, to the South .........................................1 Preface .................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2 The Latin American Singularity: A Case for Regional Posthuman Science Fiction ............... 6 Robots in Time and Space: Regional and Temporal Considerations ..................................... 9 Robots in Theory ............................................................................................................... 13 Cybernetic Body Parts: Dissertation Structure ................................................................... 21 Final Considerations .......................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 2: Fembots Fatales ............................................................................................ 26 “Minerva”: Of Domestic Goddesses and Drag Performances ............................................. 29 Que Dios se apiade de todos nosotros, indeed. .................................................................. 44 “Samantha”: Clone Nightmares in Suburbia ...................................................................... 66 Chapter Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 3: