The Science of Sci-fi: mind/body swapping and gender diversity

Dr JJ Eldridge - University of Auckland, New Zealand
30th June 2016
There are two aims for this talk. First to demonstrate the usefulness of teaching and discussing science subjects thorough a view of science fiction. Second is to approach and discuss our modern understanding of trans and gender diverse people by looking at a common trope in science fiction; the idea that two people can have their minds or bodies swapped. Sometimes this involves a change of sex for the characters and we'll discuss whether this is possible within our understanding of science and discuss some of the other cases where changing sex and/or gender plays an important part of the story. I will end up outlining some of the simple steps we can all take to make a University a safe and welcoming space for trans and gender diverse people.

[@clearspira]

Good talk, terrible pacing. Fifteen minutes to even get close to talking about body swapping (when that is the title of your video no less!) is too long. Brief summary of who you are and the general background of your talk is all that is required.

[@clearspira]

***** You apparently do considering how you cared enough to reply.

[@clearspira]

***** Oh dear, never mind then.

[@VivienneMarcus]

Well done, JJ! I enjoyed your talk and I admire your courage to get up there and talk about these issues so openly.

[@nujuat]

20:50 Burkard Polster from the maths department did a video on this on his TH-cam channel "Mathologer", for anyone who's interested