Speaker

Book The Genre Traveler To Speak at Your Next Event!

carma speakingCarma is available to speak on a variety of speculative fiction topics in a variety of formats:

  • Lectures & Presentations
    1-2 hours
  • Workshops
    3 to 8 hours; single or multi-day
  • Teleseminars & Webinars
    Delivered over the phone, pre-recorded or live
  • Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions
    Virtual or live

Carma has been speaking since high school, when she competed on the Speech Team and earned a block in speech. She has been a Toastmaster on and off since 1989 and has earned a Competent Toastmaster Award. She is currently writing a book on public speaking called Public Speaking Super Powers, which uses superheroes and super powers as metaphor for talent and skills. You can find several short video samples of her speaking on that book’s website, publicspeakingsuperpowers.com.

To book Carma for your event, send an email to editor@thegenretraveler.com or call (562) 435-0136.
 

Suggested Topics for Presentations

 
discovering the futureDiscovering the Future:
The Rise (and Fall?) of Science Fiction

All literature reflects the culture and times in which it was written. Science fiction, in particular, reflects the attitudes, hopes and fears we have regarding technological and scientific change.

Topics covered in this presentation include:

  • What is science fiction?
  • Historical roots of science fiction
  • Mainstreaming of science fiction
  • Is science fiction destined to become obsolete?

techonology and realityTechnoreality:
How Technology Alters Reality

Technology is transforming our perceptions of reality — and has ever since we as a species became self-aware. Technology has increased our ability to identify, control and alter reality. Let us explore how theater, museums, film, television and new technological achievements have helped us both gain a firmer grasp on and lose sight of reality.

Topics covered in this presentation include:

  • What is reality?
  • Simulations in literature and film
  • Simulation in daily life
  • Virtual reality

cyborgTechnoself:
The Fusion of Human and Machine in Science Fiction and Life

Throughout its history, science fiction has discussed the issues of self vs. other and human vs. machine. As our technological skills grow, the once firm line between self and other has started to fade. What does science fiction literature and film warn us about … and are we listening?

Topics covered in this presentation include:

  • What is self and what is other?
  • Computers as other
  • Robots as other
  • Television as other
  • Cyborgs
  • Aliens as other (optional)

from pinocchio to the terminatorFrom Pinocchio to The Terminator:
Our Love/Hate Relationship with Artificial Life

What is it about artificial life that both repels and attracts the human imagination? Let’s explore how artificial life and artificial intelligence is represented and explored in literature, film, history and science. Should we be hopeful … or afraid?

Topics covered in this presentation include:

  • Early representations of artificial life: from Talos to the Golum
  • The artificial life debate
  • Computers, robots and the Internet … different ideas of artificial intelligence
  • The Uncanny Valley