The Blazing World

Imaginary Worlds

Eric Molinsky

Arts, Science Fiction, Fiction, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 30 March 2023

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Margaret Cavendish was a pioneer of modern science fiction – except she didn’t intend to write science fiction. In the 17th century, Cavendish was a noblewoman who wanted to be taken seriously as a philosopher. In her poetry and her landmark work, The Blazing World, she imagined parallel universes, microscopic cities, human animal hybrids, zombie armies and flying vehicles. I talk with professors Emily Thomas (Durham University), Lisa Walters (University of Queensland), Lisa Sarasohn (Oregon State University), and Lara Dodds (Mississippi State University) about why Cavendish wrote for future generations that she hoped would understand and appreciate her ideas. Featuring readings by Tanya Rich. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you’re interested in advertising on Imaginary Worlds, you can contact them here or email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	And now we go live to Tyrrell's farm!
0:03.2	Down here in Heidefischer, the folks are busy bringing in a bumper crop of local spuds.
0:08.8	And of course, when you have the finest potatoes,
0:11.4	only the tastiest ingredients will do.
0:13.7	That's where the tasting team come in.
0:15.6	The cheerly coming through!
0:16.8	All this ensures their crisps taste de-radi-licious.
0:22.1	In fact, the Tyrrell's team have done such a spiffing job.
0:25.7	People across the land are calling their crisps terribly, terribly tasty.
0:30.2	Your listening to Imaginary Worlds, a show about how we create them,
0:36.4	and why we suspend our disbelief with your host, Eric Mullinsky.
0:42.3	That is the actress, Tanya Rich.
0:44.7	And here she is reading a passage of a poem about the movie,
0:48.6	Ant-Man in the Wasp, Quantum Mania.
0:52.4	If Atoms 4, a world can make, then see what several worlds might in an earing bee.
0:59.0	For millions of those atoms may be in the head of one small little single pin.
1:07.6	Okay, that poem is not actually about Ant-Man in Quantum Mania.
1:11.0	It's actually from a poem called,
1:12.8	Of Many Worlds in this World.
1:15.2	And it was written by Margaret Cavendish in 1653.
1:20.3	Yes, you heard that correctly.
1:22.3	1653.
	...

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