Julia Hoydis
Extinction Narratives – Narratives of the (Im)possible Ends of our World

Due to the acceleration of climate change, we are currently facing the threat of various species’ extinction, as a direct influence by human, and hence anthropogenic forces. In literature and other art forms, we increasingly find ideas and stories that respond to the interlinked crises of species extinction, biodiversity loss and climate change. Extinction is a complex phenomenon, not only scientific, but cultural too, and the way it is dealt with reflects prevailing ideas about the relationships between humans, animals and the (environment).

In her lecture, Julia Hoydis will explore how fictional narratives deal with hope, loss and end-time scenarios against the backdrop of endings and finiteness, which manifest itself through hope and acceptance, but also through resilience and solutions. Drawing on various media such as novels, plays, dance performances, films and video games as examples, she further investigates, how countermeasures such as de-extinction are depicted, for example through genetic engineering experiments and species protection. Prevailing narrative patterns, some of them dystopian or elegiac, are also taken into account.

In particular, Hoydis will discuss how literature can contribute to the socio-political debates on intergenerational and environmental justice. How can the potential of extinction narratives be utilized? She will also discuss how extinction narratives and their function as cultural models of (im)possible endings of our current world are always linked to predictions and values.

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