From E.T.A Hoffmann’s "Tales of Hoffmann" and Philip K. Dick’s "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" to Isaac Asimov’s "I, Robot" and Vernor Vinge's "Rainbows End" authors have been exploring the human/machine interface since before the computer age. Today we stand on the threshold to the lab as the government contemplates microchipping all U.S. military personnel and Swedish office workers are already implanting themselves for convenience ala M.T. Anderson's "Feed." A 2014 study conducted by Cisco System found approximately one-quarter of the white-collar professionals surveyed “would leap at the chance to get a surgical brain implant that allowed them to instantly link their thoughts to the Internet”. We are already experimenting with gene therapy, cybernetics via cochlear implants and many other technical organic enhancements, autonomous self-replicating robots, nanotechnology, mind uploading, and artificial intelligence.

The Spring 2018 edition of "Interdisciplinary Humanities" wants to consider topics focused on transhumanism, the singularity, and the arrival of the bio-engineered human/machine interface and what it means for the humanities as we redefine identity, pedagogy, humanity, class structure, literature (past, present, and future) and the diversity of our species. We also want to consider papers on the future of recreation, literature, music, and art. We invite papers in disciplines and areas of study that include but are not limited to Aesthetics, Anthropology, Architecture, Art, Classics, Communication Studies, Composition, Cultural Studies, Dance, Design, Digital Technology, Disability Studies, Education, Environmental Issues, Esthetics, Ethics, Ethnic Studies, Family, Film Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Geology, Globalization, History, Languages, Law, Literature, Media, Museum Studies, Music, Pedagogy, Performance Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sexuality, Sociology, Theater, Women’s Studies, and all sciences relevant to the topic. These disciplines will help us understand and grapple with how we will redefine identity and the diversity of our species through the dynamic interplay of humanity and the acceleration of technology.

The Humanities Education and Research Association, "Interdisciplinary Humanities"’ parent organization, requires that authors become members of HERA if their essays are accepted for publication. Information on membership may be found at: http://www.h-e-r-a.org/hera_join.htm.

For more information contact: Dore' Ripley (dore.ripley@gmail.com)