What Is The Thing? | The Evolution of Science Fiction

If you’ve heard of HP Lovecraft then you might know about his novella, At the Mountains of Madness. It tells the story of a group of scientists on an expedition in Antarctica, where they discover the remnants of something ancient, and incomprehensible, something not of this earth. HP Lovecrat’s story went on to inspire many works of science fiction, including John Campbell’s “Who Goes There?”, a science fiction horror story about an isolated group of scientists in Antarctica who discover a buried alien spaceship. “Who Goes there?” itself went on to inspire several adaptations, 1951’s The Thing From Another World directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. 1982’s The Thing, directed by John Carpenter, this is without a doubt the most famous adaptation of this story, and the most famous version of the story in general. Peter Watt’s story however has a take on the story that is different from all the others, It takes place entirely from the perspective of the lifeform itself. Throughout the story you view the world through its alien mind, you listen to its alien thoughts. Stories and their interpretations are born out of the times we live in. The particular society or culture at any given time is going to affect how the same stories are presented. You can trace this story all the way back to Lovecraft and each time that it is presented a unique element is added. This is what we will explore in this video. What Does The Thing Represent? What is the thing? What is each version of this story trying to say and how are they different from each other? In this video we will explore how shifting societal fears such as paranoia, fear of the unknown, identity, and empathy shape the themes and interpretations of the story over time. 👽 Please consider supporting this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ideasoficeandfire or PAYPAL - https://paypal.me/QuinnsIdeas?locale.x=en_US 🎨 Art: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gLp12afeu_Zq_qiDkewoXyGSk-e7TAtKo9DxLLHowEo/edit?usp=sharing Thumbnail: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/ZG5DNN 🎵 Music by Jamez Dahl: https://youtu.be/zunnbGpaM70?si=T6haOHnE_VQytOh6 https://www.youtube.com/@JamezDahlMusic 📚 Get These Books! Affiliate link* Blindsight by Peter Watts: https://amzn.to/3zkTFtG Beyond the Rift (The Things) by Peter Watts https://amzn.to/4dcaSTY At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft https://amzn.to/4e7oilI Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell https://amzn.to/3B1yflM The Forever War by Joe Haldeman https://amzn.to/4goIj8J Barry Glassner “The Culture of Fear” https://amzn.to/3ZoLMOw The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 https://amzn.to/3B2ZKf1 Worst Journey in the World Paperback by Apsley Cherry-Garrard https://amzn.to/3zlB2FY Strangers in the Land: Patterns of American Nativism, 1860-1925 by John Higham(aka Higman lol) https://amzn.to/3ZmXEkd H.P. :Lovecraft Beyond Arkham by Leslie S. Klinger  https://amzn.to/4elCgQv Quinn's Discord: https://discord.gg/uGx4WsjVCZ FOLLOW QUINN ON TWITTER: Twitter: https://twitter.com/IDEASOFICE_FIRE I NOW HAVE A SUBREDDIT: https://www.reddit.com/r/IdeasofIceandFire/ Quinn's New Graphic Novel: https://www.quinnhoward.net/theliebehindthestar Buy Quinn's Comic Books: https://www.quinnhoward.net/shop Quinn's Website: https://www.quinnhoward.net Like me on Facebook!: https://www.facebook.com/IOIAF 🎥 Mentioned Videos: At the Mountains of Madness Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj69PufS49U&t=1993s Mountains of Mandess Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOSumD9OUrA 🎬 Other Playlist Three-Body Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXGGVBzHLUfIzEhovpQJ2ENiNvJoOD2A H.P. Lovecraft Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXGGVBzHLUcMoc_ZljrDbgrRi3x_CLYD Hyperion Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXGGVBzHLUfgKLf-CBr5VCC2xM0qX8Xh Dune Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXGGVBzHLUdsgN_vFaZmfjc6bXxPqajV Foundation Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXGGVBzHLUeQMsBkZJ72aIIG8nR-No6J Feel free to leave a comment like and subscribe! Thanks For Watching!