Lifestyle
A college course that’s a history of the future
The course “Science Fiction as Intellectual History” explores how sci-fi reflects cultural thoughts and anxieties, using stories to analyze technology, future predictions, and evolving societal ideas.
Adam Jortner, Auburn University
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.
Title of course:
Science Fiction as Intellectual History
What prompted the idea for the course?
For most of its history, science fiction was a disreputable, throwaway genre. But sources of culture and thought aren’t just found in classic literature or in the writings of the great thinkers. They’re also in popular entertainment: movies, comics, pulp magazines, TV.
Big thoughts often come in chunks with labels like “The Future” or “Technology” or “Freedom.” And most ideas about these things are shaped by science fiction.
So in this class, my students explore how the theories of Charles Darwin, for example, are reflected in science fiction like “Jurassic Park,” “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” “X-Men” and “The Wrath of Khan.”
I’m lucky to be the third generation of professors teaching this course at Auburn. It’s an old staple here that I inherited.
What does the course explore?
I usually pick three big plot ideas from sci-fi: alien encounters, time travel and superhuman abilities. Then we trace the development of those ideas, primarily through American fiction.
Students might read H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine,” which was written in the 1890s and tells the story of the Eloi and Morlocks, post-human races from 800,000 years in the future; C.L. Moore’s secret visitors from the future in the 1953 novella “Vintage Season”; and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 escape to an idealized 1950s in “Back to the Future.”
These works all include mind-bending theories about what time travel might look like. But students also see how each of them tells a different story about the anxieties and obsessions of the times in which they were created.
For example, Wells’ novel is a vision of how thousands of years of Victorian class divisions lead to the evolution of a group of cannibalistic underground humans. In “Back to the Future,” Marty McFly leaves the dingy, broken-down 1980s for a clean and shiny version of the 1950s, one that looks much more promising than 1985. The film taps into the 1980s political and cultural nostalgia for so-called “simpler” times. (Of course, in their version of 1955, Biff and Marty never deal with segregation or Cold War nuclear panic.)
Science fiction offers a kind of film negative of history – a back door into what made people worried or scared rather than what was heroic. Sci-fi captures that fear and anxiety.
Rod Serling’s 1960 “Twilight Zone” episode “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” is the story of how neighbors turn on each other when they suspect an alien invasion is taking place. It parallels the American crisis over desegregation and communist subversion.
As Serling concluded, “For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout of its own – for the children, and the children unborn. And the pity of it is that such things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone.”
Why is this course relevant now?
New technology, along with endless predictions and prophecies about the future, bombard students.
It’s important to take a moment to step back. How is the way we talk about and use technology influenced by the way we’re trained to think about technology and the future? And how much do past visions of the future dictate the choices of the present?
What’s a critical lesson from the course?
Students often think technology has rules and it will follow those rules. But technology doesn’t work like that.
That’s both terrifying and uplifting, because it means that we can still create and imagine our future as we see fit.
What materials does the course feature?
I anchor the course with a series of novels; the list changes, but it always includes “The Time Machine” and Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1971 novel “The Lathe of Heaven.”
Beyond that, I try to pepper in a mix of pulp stories, TV shows, radio dramas, comic books and films. I assign the 1970s avant-garde sci-fi stories of Brian Aldiss and Joanna Russ, and underground literature from the 1980s, such as the graphic novel “Ed the Happy Clown.”
I shape the course like a traditional “great books” course – those that feature the works of intellectual and literary giants – by assigning a different work every week. I just have a different idea about what makes a great book.
We also spend a delightful week examining the economic and cultural history of “so-bad-its-good” B movies and late-night features, where I have them watch an episode of the Canadian sci-fi show “The Starlost,” considered one of the worst shows in television history. Sometimes you have to learn what not to do.
What will the course prepare students to do?
They learn to read and think. They learn that all stories have ideas and philosophies, whether simple or complex, wise or foolish.
I hope they learn to watch for nonsense in public debates about technology and the future – like how some people assume computer modeling for human language is the same thing as language – and keep an eye out for ideologies masquerading as action films.
I hope they learn to love an author they’ve never read before – and learn to appreciate how much reading and stories make life worth living.
Adam Jortner, Goodwin Philpott Eminent Professor of Religion, Auburn University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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health and wellness
Zepbound Linked to Lower Healthcare Costs in Adults 55+ With Obesity, Real-World Study Suggests
A new real-world study of adults over age 55 with overweight or obesity found that sustained use of Zepbound (tirzepatide) for weight management was associated with lower healthcare costs over time compared with similar adults who were not treated. Eli Lilly and Company said the findings were driven in part by lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and were published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
What the study found
According to Lilly, researchers estimated healthcare cost differences over time (excluding the cost of Zepbound itself) using two established analytic methods. Across both approaches, monthly healthcare costs were lower, on average, among older adults who stayed on Zepbound.
Key estimates reported in the release include:
- At six months: costs were up to 15% lower (up to $181 per patient, per month).
- At 12 months: the estimated difference widened to as much as $607 per patient, per month, reflecting up to 38% lower costs than those not treated (estimates varied by model).
In the primary analysis, adults over 55 treated with Zepbound had lower rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits across every follow-up period, along with numerically higher rates of routine outpatient and office visitsa pattern the company said was consistent with greater engagement in routine care.
Why Medicare is part of the conversation
Lilly said the cost findings may be relevant for older adults, including those in Medicares GLP-1 Bridge program. The company noted that beginning at six months, estimated healthcare savings nearly covered the programs monthly treatment cost of $195 per patient, per month, and by 12 months the estimated savings exceeded the reported monthly treatment cost.
Its important to note the release also emphasizes a limitation: claims data do not capture Zepbounds net price, and the study excluded the cost of Zepbound from total treatment costs. That means the reported differences reflect potential savings elsewhere in care that could offset treatment costs, not the full net cost impact.
Who was included in the analysis
The retrospective observational cohort study used Komodos Healthcare Map, a database of de-identified claims data from more than 330 million individuals enrolled in U.S. healthcare plans. The analysis included 15,843 adults over age 55 (mean age 64.5) with obesity or overweight plus at least one obesity-related complication who initiated Zepbound between November 2023 and September 2025. Each Zepbound user was matched 1:1 with a control participant who met the same eligibility criteria but did not initiate GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist medication.
What Zepbound is
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have at least one weight-related medical problem, to lose weight and keep it off. Lilly also noted Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, and should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Safety summary (high level)
The release includes an indications and safety summary with warnings. Among other risks, Lilly notes Zepbound carries a warning about thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer, and may cause serious side effects such as severe stomach problems, dehydration leading to kidney problems, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, and low blood sugar (especially when used with certain diabetes medicines). Patients should talk with a healthcare provider about risks and whether the medication is appropriate for them.
Related Links
- Zepbound (official product site): https://zepbound.lilly.com/
- Lilly newsroom: https://www.lilly.com/news
- Journal page (publisher hub): https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14631326
- Medicare (official): https://www.medicare.gov/
- FDA MedWatch (side effect reporting): https://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Source
- PRNewswire / Eli Lilly and Company press release (Aug. 26, 2026): Zepbound linked to lower healthcare costs in adults over age 55 with obesity according to a real-world study
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(Feature Impact) When it comes to stroke, time matters. Recognizing the warning signs and calling 911 quickly can help with receiving time-sensitive, life-saving treatment. Recovery should begin early, too.
Having a stroke can divide life into a stark before and after, affecting many aspects of daily life. While it’s easy to focus on the things a stroke can take away, it’s important to remember there’s life after stroke. Recovery isn’t just about relearning skills. It’s about adapting to new challenges, finding purpose in a different reality and continuing to move forward.
Navigating the aftermath of a stroke means balancing short-term and long-term plans. Once medically stable, rehabilitation should ideally begin within 48 hours, according to the 2026 Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery from the American Stroke Association. Recovery doesn’t have a fixed end. Meaningful progress can continue for months or years after survivors leave the hospital or complete formal therapy.
“Stroke rehabilitation is complicated,” said Lorie Gage Richards, Ph.D., FAHA, volunteer chair of the new guideline, associate professor at the University of Utah and an occupational therapist. “Each person faces a different set of challenges and care should be personalized to fit each person’s needs. The goal is to help individuals gain as much independence as possible to perform everyday activities while improving their overall quality of life.”
Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself or supporting someone you love, connecting with a coordinated healthcare team is an important first step. Ask about a comprehensive assessment, develop a rehabilitation plan based on what matters to you and set small, achievable goals throughout recovery.
Building Skills and Independence
After a stroke, familiar parts of a daily routine may take more effort or require a new approach. A rehabilitation team can assess how stroke has affected movement, communication, thinking, vision, hearing and other abilities then develop a plan based on individual needs and goals.
Recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. For one person, a meaningful goal may be dressing independently. For others, it could be returning to work, driving safely or participating in favorite activities. Start with manageable goals, evaluate progress and reassess the plan as needs change.
Understanding the Invisible Impacts
Some of the most challenging parts of recovery may be the ones others can’t see. For instance, you might lose confidence or sense of identity, have trouble concentrating or experience anxiety or depression. Along with mental and emotional changes, you may notice ongoing physical symptoms like pain, difficulty sleeping, changes in sexual function or difficulty with bladder control.
Invisible challenges don’t have to stay that way. Ask your healthcare team to assess your physical and emotional health, including depression and anxiety, during the hospital stay and throughout recovery. Speaking up about new or changing symptoms can help identify appropriate treatment and support.
Navigating Changing Relationships
When you have a stroke, your life isn’t the only one that changes. A partner, parent or friend may suddenly take on new responsibilities, making honest conversations about support especially important.
Family responsibilities may also look different. Parenting young children, supporting loved ones or balancing work and family can bring new challenges during recovery. Give yourself permission to slow down, accept care and connect with the people who matter most.
Finding Purpose and Redefining Success
Recreation, hobbies, social connections and other meaningful activities are an important part of recovery and can help people regain confidence, participate in their communities and improve quality of life. That may mean returning to music, art, exercise or time with friends. It could also mean modifying favorite activities, discovering new interests or connecting with a support group.
Life after stroke may look different, but different doesn’t mean less meaningful. Recovery isn’t measured by how closely someone returns to who they were before. It’s about finding new ways to pursue what matters most and continuing to move forward.
Learn more about recognizing stroke, preparing for rehabilitation and adjusting to life after stroke by visiting Stroke.org.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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Health
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips you can use to make your home safer all year round.
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
(Feature Impact) Outsmarting a baby can be harder than it sounds – especially when it comes to transforming your home into a safe place for them to explore. Through their eyes, a coffee table becomes a climbing opportunity, a dangling phone charger looks like a teething toy and a cabinet of cleaning supplies could be an exciting travel destination.
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips to make your home safer all year round.
Install Gates and Doorknob Covers
Crawling babies and stairs are a bad combination. Make sure the two never have the chance to meet by securely installing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to thwart young explorers. Gates or doorknob covers can also block access to other rooms and areas you’d prefer to keep off limits, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Use Safety Latches Wisely
Cabinets and drawers can contain a myriad of dangerous items, from cleaning products to sharp objects and medications. Even if you have rooms gated off, treat safety latches and locked storage receptacles as a second line of defense to make sure babies and toddlers can’t rummage where they shouldn’t.
Stress-Test Furniture
As babies and toddlers transition from crawling to walking, they often try using furniture to pull themselves up. Tall or unstable objects like TV stands, small tables and bookshelves can tip over if they aren’t properly secured. Try giving these objects a shake to see whether they’re easily moveable or wobbly; if so, anchor them to the floor or wall when possible. While you’re at it, check for sharp corners at the right height to bonk little heads and cover them with softer edge protectors.
Cover Outlets and Stow Cords
Electrical outlets can be tempting targets for curious fingers. Outfit them with covers or plastic safety caps, especially if you don’t already have tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in mechanisms to block foreign objects from entering the slots. As you’re going about your outlet audit, pay attention to cords as well. When possible, tuck them away or secure them with cord organizing systems, and block access to objects like lamps where cords can be used for tugging and toppling.
See the World at Their Level
Although it might feel silly, one of the best ways to spot hazards around your home is to scout for them from a baby’s perspective. Try getting as close to the floor as you can then look around each room for anything that could interest a young child and pose potential danger. In particular, keep an eye out for small objects that could become choking hazards, like dropped coins, batteries or loose toy pieces.
As children grow, so do the needs of your space. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more ideas on designing your home to fit your family.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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