BIOPOLITICS AND COMMODIFICATION OF BODY AND FAITH IN ALTERED CARBON: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Öz

This article examines the concept of commodification of the body and belief through the discourses in Netflix’s science fiction series Altered Carbon. The series is set in a future where human consciousness can be downloaded and stored as ‘cortical memories’ that can be transferred to different bodies or ‘synthetic bodies’. This technology creates a sharp class divide where rich ‘Meths’ can afford to take on multiple bodies and can effectively live forever, while poor ‘synthetic bodiless’ are often relegated to menial jobs or even used as disposable labor. The article argues that Altered Carbon’s depiction of the commodification of the body and belief raises important questions about the ethics of technology, the nature of identity, and the meaning of life. In evaluating these questions, the intersection of theories regarding concepts such as biopower and biopolitics with the practice of the universe of the series is also examined. The program suggests that without caution, obsession with technology could lead to a future where humans are nothing more than commodities to be bought and sold.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Science fiction
• Biopolitics
• Body and faith
• Digital identity
• Altered Carbon

ALTERED CARBON’DA BEDENİN VE İNANCIN METALAŞTIRILMASI VE BİYOPOLİTİKA: ELEŞTİREL BİR SÖYLEM ANALİZİ

Öz

Bu makale bedenin ve inancın metalaştırılması kavramını Netflix’in bilim kurgu dizisi Altered Carbon’daki söylemler üzerinden incelemektedir. Dizi, insan bilincinin indirilebildiği ve farklı bedenlere veya ‘sentetik vücutlara’ aktarılabilen ‘kortikal bellekler’ halinde saklanabildiği bir gelecekte geçmektedir. Bu teknoloji, zengin ‘Meth’lerin’ birden fazla beden almaya gücü yettiği ve fiilen sonsuza kadar yaşayabildiği, yoksul ‘sentetik vücutsuz’ların ise genellikle sıradan işlere gönderildiği ve hatta tek kullanımlık iş gücü olarak kullanıldığı keskin bir sınıf ayrımı yaratmaktadır. Makale, Altered Carbon’un bedenin ve inancın metalaştırılması tasvirinin teknolojinin etiği, kimliğin doğası ve yaşamın anlamı hakkında önemli soruları gündeme getirdiğini savunmaktadır. Bu soruların değerlendirilmesinde biyoiktidar ve biyopolitika gibi kavramlara ilişkin teorilerin dizinin evreninin pratiğiyle kesişimselliği de incelenmektedir. Program, eğer dikkatli olunmazsa teknolojiye olan takıntının, insanların alınıp satılacak metalardan başka bir şey olmadığı bir geleceğe yol açabileceğini öne sürüyor.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bilim kurgu
• Biyopolitika
• Beden ve inanç
• Dijital kimlik
• Altered Carbon

Kaynakça

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