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The San Diego Jewish Journal has a long article about the influence of Judaism on science fiction. It looks at both the pioneering work of Jewish authors, both religious and secular, and the influence of Jewish mythology
From a science-fictional perspective, the most influential Judaic legend isThe Golem of Prague,which concerns a rabbi who creates a creature out of clay to protect the Jewish people. Although there are different endings to the tale, in the most popular version he loses control of his monster and must destroy it. The spiritual forbearer of such well-known fables asFrankensteinand familiar characters like the Terminator and the HAL 9000 computer from2001: A Space Odyssey,the Golem has become a powerful trope embodying both cautionary and idealistic outlooks – two notions that are invaluable to successful science-fiction storytelling. For many genre authors, particularly those steeped in Jewish folklore, the story remains a rich ideological source.
Ultimately, they regard the Jewish influence as responsible for the fundamentally optimistic nature of the genre: that the world will be a better place, and people will not have destroyed themselves.
Stars of David - San Diego Jewish Journal, October 2004 (via Locus).
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at 10:35. Last modified on September 28 2006 at 23:42.
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