In a few days I will speak on two panels at Denver Culture Con 2019 (formerly known as Denver Comic Con). This is an exciting opportunity to have more public facing conversations than are usually possible (or welcome) at the run of the mill academic conference.
The first panel is titled, “Why Supporting Star Wars Helps the Empire, not the Resistance,” and takes place on Friday, May 31, 2:30-3:20 p.m. in Room 704/706 at the Denver Convention Center. Here is the abstract:
“Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises around the world, spawning films, TV series, books, comics, and – by some accounts – a new religious movement. Whether labeled as the Rebellion or Resistance, viewers are consistently invited to identify with the downtrodden and oppressed in every book, film, or TV series. However, this identification with the oppressed belies the reality in which the SW universe itself is a powerful force driving us to consume SW media and related products. These modes of production and consumption do nothing to address the deep inequalities that exist IRL. To the contrary, consuming the SW universe does more to empower the neoliberal capitalist "Evil Empire" than it does any type of Resistance. Through examining the tension between the ideals promoted by the SW universe and the effects of fans’ consumption of that universe, audience members will critique their own relationship to this much beloved universe.”
The second panel is titled “The Jedi Religion: Sufi, Daoist, and Buddhist Themes and the Jedi Order,” and takes place on Saturday, June 1st, from 2:30-3:20 p.m., in Rooms 704/706. Yes, that’s right, the panels are at the SAME TIME and in the SAME PLACE, just one day apart. This means that I have no excuse not to get to the second panel on time!
Here is the abstract for the second panel:
“Many researchers, writers, and fans alike, lay claim to the Jedi, insisting that the Jedi Order is basically Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, etc. The Jedi, however, are not Muslim or Buddhist, or any other modern religion, they are Jedi. George Lucas has pointed to numerous religious influences in his stories, yet many want to put Yoda or Qui-Gon Jin in a particular camp of religious influence. In this talk, we will explore possible influences and parallels between the Jedi Order and Sufi, Buddhist and Daoist religion/philosophy. Using source material taken from the “official canon,” we will search for common ground between the Jedi Order and three rich and diverse religious traditions. We hope that this presentation will provide participants with greater knowledge of these three world traditions, and how they might connect to the world(s) of Star Wars and the Jedi Order.”
Click here for the full schedule, as well as information on buying tickets.
Check back for my after action report, which will be sure to include some great photos of people dressed up as their favorite scfi-fi/fantasy characters!