A Posthumanist Study of Becky Chambers’ A Closed and Common Orbit

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between science and humanity. It highlighted the symbiotic bond between machines and humans in Becky Chambers’ A Closed and Common Orbit (2016). The research argued that human-technology interaction is inevitable since the two reciprocate and aid each other. The purpose of the research was to demonstrate the fusion of human ingenuity and technological advancements and how they ensure the prosperity and survival of humans in the coming decades. The study, therefore, explored the future of humanity in science fiction, evaluating how humans integrate with machines or artificial intelligence. A close reading of A Closed and Common Orbit (2016) investigated Posthumanism ideology and its strands–Transhumanism propounded by Pramod K. Nayar and the Critical Posthumanism proposed by David Roden. Posthumanism deals with the idea of the intersection of different species, like humans, non-humans, and technological tools. Transhumanism and Critical Posthumanism look at the amplification and improvement of human capacities with the use of technologies – machines, robots, and computers. Humans do not exist as monolithic, which is why this bond between humans and technology gives us a sense of a symbiotic relationship. As human technology is a two-way methodology, it represents a symbiotic union and proves a futuristic step in the realm of science fiction. Thus, the study concluded that humans use technologies to enhance, support, and disburden their abilities to thrive.