Lyle Zynda received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University in 1995. After spending a year teaching at Caltech, he took up his current position in the philosophy department at Indiana University South Bend (IUSB), where he is now associate professor. Dr. Zynda specializes in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, cognitive science, epistemology, metaphysics and logic. He has published articles in internationally renowned journals such as Synthese, Philosophy of Science and Philosophical Studies. He also periodically teaches a course at IUSB called “Philosophy, Science and Science Fiction.”
Description
This is one essay from the anthology Finding Serenity
Firefly’s early demise left fans with a deep sense of loss and plenty of unanswered questions. From what was wrong with the pilot to what was right with the Reavers, from the use of Chinese to how correspondence between Joss and network executives might have gone, from a philosopher’s perspective on “Objects in Space” to a sex therapist’s analysis of Inara, Finding Serenity is filled with writing as exciting, funny and enthralling as the show itself.
Finding Serenity includes:
- Mercedes Lackey on the nature of freedom in “Firefly”
- Roxanne Longstreet Conrad on how the crew of Serenity could kick the Enterprise crew’s butts any day
- Leigh Adams Wright on the fate of the ’verse’s Chinese people
- Tanya Huff on Zoe as the ultimate warrior woman
- Michelle Sagara West on television finally getting marriage right
- Kevin M. Sullivan’s unofficial glossary of “Firefly” Chinese
- And Jewel Staite (“Kaylee”) offers a behind-the-scenes insider look and talks about her favorite episodes
Other contributors include:
- Ginjer Buchanan
- Joy Davidson
- Don Debrandt
- Keith R.A. DeCandido
- Larry Dixon
- David Gerrold
- Jennifer Goltz
- Nancy Holder
- Robert B. Taylor
- John C. Wright
- Lyle Zynda
About the Authors
Jane Espenson grew up in Ames, Iowa, where she was introduced to the writings of Jane Austen at an early age by her English lit–major mother. She eventually found herself with a long career as a television writer/producer, but she never gave up the essential love of Austen. She wrote for a number of half-hour comedies, including “Ellen,” then moved on to drama writing, including stints on “The O.C.,” “Gilmore Girls” and a five-year run on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” While working at “Buffy,” she was able to write a vampire-themed comic book story in the style of Austen, rekindling her love for that kind of storytelling. She continues in television, working under a development deal with 20th Century Fox television, creating shows of her own and rereading Austen in her spare time. She’s delighted to be included in this collection.
Glenn Yeffeth is the editor of several anthologies in the Smart Pop series, including The Anthology at the End of the Universe, Farscape Forever!, Five Seasons of Angel, Navigating the Golden Compass, Seven Seasons of Buffy, Taking the Red Pill and What Would Sipowitz Do? He lives in Dallas.