Something Fantastic

Something Fantastic is the multifaceted manifesto of three young architects - Julian Schubert, Elena Schütz and Leonard Streich. It is also the name of their new Berlin-based studio; both book and studio derive from a diploma thesis at the University of the Arts, Berlin. Something Fantastic calls for increased consciousness in architectural thought and action, particularly in relation to the environment, energy and contemporary politics. Excerpts from thinkers and theorists - from Thomas Hobbes to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - and interviews, including with Markus Miessen and Werner Sobek, inform a publication determined to call for change, and offer hope for the future.

The Fantastic in Religious Narrative from Exodus to Elisha argues that perspectives drawn from literary-critical theories of the fantastic and fantasy are apt to explore Hebrew Bible religious narratives. The book focuses on the narratives' marvels, monsters, and magic, rather than whether or not the stories depict historical events. The Exodus narrative (Ex 1-18) and a selection of additional Hebrew Bible narratives (Num 11-14, Judg 6-8, 1 Kings 17-19, 2 Kings 4-7) are analysed from a fantasy-theoretical perspective. The 'fantasy perspective' helps to make sense of elements of these narratives that - although prominently featured in the stories - have previously often been explained by being explained away. These case studies can illuminate Hebrew Bible religion and offer wider perspectives on religious narrative generally. In light of the fantasy-theoretical approach, these Hebrew Bible stories - with the Exodus narrative at the centre - read not as foundational stories, affirming triumphantly and unambiguously the bond between the deity, his people, and their territory, but rather as texts that harbour and even actively encourage ambiguity and uncertainty, not necessarily prompting belief, orientation, and a sense of meaningfulness, but also open-ended reflection and doubt. The case studies suggest that other religious narratives, both in and beyond the Judaic tradition, may also be amenable to interpretation in these terms, thus questioning a dominant trend in myth studies. The results of the analyses lead to a discussion of the role of ambiguity, uncertainty, and transformation in religious narrative in broader perspective, and to a questioning of the emphasis in the study of religion on the capacity of religious narrative for founding and maintaining institutions, orienting identity, and defending order over disorder. The book suggests the wider importance of incorporating destabilisation, disorientation, and ambiguity more strongly into theories of what religious narrative is and does.

Darrell Schweitzer interviews seventeen science fiction writers. Included are scintillating conversations with: George R. R. Martin, James Morrow, Jack Dann, Geoffrey A. Landis, Joe W. Haldeman, Zoran Zivkovic, Esther M. Friesner, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Harry Turtledove, Gregory Frost, Tom Purdom, D. G. Compton, Robert J. Sawyer, Charles Stross, Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Howard Waldrop.

Religion, as defined by Marxism, is fantastic reality. Fantastic, not in the trite sense that the claims religion makes about existence are verifiably untrue, unreal or baseless, but in the sense that nature and society are reflected in exaggerated form, as leaping shadows, as symbols or inversions. So religion should not be dismissed as mere false consciousness. Religion reflects something of the real; but, as Jack Conrad's book shows, there is even more to it than that. Religious ideas are not only determined by reality; they can themselves become materially effective. The ideas people have in their heads - especially when mediated through institutions such as churches, mosques and temples - no matter how wrapped up in the godly and seemingly unrelated to the corporeal world, impact on their surroundings.

The HUMAN RACE... and our children’s children: This is the introduction of the Female SHARK Squadron, why she’s here, and how this 2086 Squadron evolved as an integral part of The Flying FROGS. When the SPACE STATION was designed and launched at the end of the 1970’s, the planned sunset of the shuttles to land back on Earth and dock permanently was 2011. Now 75 years later the ‘Space Race’ operated for many reasons, with one quest --- Survival as an Earth Species to Live in Peace with All Species in all corners of the Solar System. SO- the clock is ticking for planned experimentation of all kinds. The SEALS of the USA were trained for stealth on EARTH, from the sea to all terrain. Now, the Flying FROGS are SHARKS of the Solar System, trained by EARTH’s – World Governing Body (WGB). PLUS!! Understanding why women are believed to have a sixth sense in the Solar System - is integral to life itself. We must NOT JUST Fight and Defend and Dominate. We NEED to be Friends and Research and Explore and Create and Think of our DESTINY.

Fantastic and Horrific Stories (2021) is a collection of short fiction by Arthur Machen. Condemned as decadent and obscene upon publication, Machen’s writing earned praise from Oscar Wilde and H. P. Lovecraft. Throughout the years, Machen’s work has been referenced and adapted by such figures as Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, and Josh Malerman for its masterfully unsettling blend of science, myth, and magic. The Great God Pan, perhaps Machen’s most celebrated work, is the story of an occult experiment gone horribly wrong. Clarke has always taken an interest in occult matters, so when a friend offers him a chance to witness an experimental procedure intended to access the spirit realm, he cannot refuse. When the young patient Mary awakens, she shows signs of terror and soon falls into a catatonic state. Convinced of their success in discovering the world of “the great god Pan,” Clarke and Raymond agree to keep their discovery a secret. Years later, a nearby town begins reporting the mysterious disappearances of young children, all of whom have been seen in the forest with a

Reproduction of the original: One of Cleopatra's Nights and Other Fantastic Romances by Theophile Gautier