A Complete List of References to Jaynes in Film and Fiction

Discussion of the influence of Jaynes's theory on works of fiction, film, and in popular culture.
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A Complete List of References to Jaynes in Film and Fiction

Post by Moderator »

Below is an attempt at a complete list of references to Julian Jaynes's bicameral mind theory in film and fiction. Please let us know if we've missed anything... we learn of new references to Jaynes all the time.

Film & Television - Jaynes inspired storyline
Westworld (HBO) - Jonathan Nolan (Jaynes's theory factors prominently in the story line)
A Scanner Darkly - Philip K. Dick (Not mentioned directly but contains Jaynes-inspired elements. UPDATE: This was inspired by split-brain research before Dick corresponded with Jaynes)
The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman (Not referenced directly but contains Jaynes-inspired elements)
His Dark Materials (HBO/BBC) - Television adaptation of the Philip Pullman book series (contains Jaynes-inspired elements)

Fiction - Jaynes inspired storyline
A Scanner Darkly - UPDATE this was inspired by split-brain research before Dick corresponded with Jaynes.
Valis - Philip K. Dick
The Golden Compass / His Dark Materials Trilogy - Phillip Pullman
Mindscan - Robert J. Sawyer
WWW: Wake - Robert J. Sawyer
Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
The Big U - Neal Stephenson

Fiction - Mention of Jaynes or his theory
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Earth - David Brin
New England White - Stephen L. Carter
Palace Council - Stephen L. Carter
The Consciousness Plague - Paul Levinson
From Hell - Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
The 6th Target - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Updated 12/4/20
Last edited by Moderator on Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:41 pm, edited 3 times in total.
benda
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Re: A Complete List of References to Jaynes in Film and Fict

Post by benda »

Philip K. Dick was NOT aware of Julian Jaynes' theory when he was working on "A Scanner Darkly", as indicated by his letter (http://www.julianjaynes.org/jjsforum/vi ... 400&p=2283). Therefore the list should be modified.
Tanker62
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Re: A Complete List of References to Jaynes in Film and Fiction

Post by Tanker62 »

Oh, so I wasn't mistaken when I had "flashbacks" of the Golden Compass when browsing the forum and reading about the bicameral mind theory... I'm glad it wasn't a random misconception, and I'll make sure to check out every mentioned book I haven't read yet!
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Re: A Complete List of References to Jaynes in Film and Fiction

Post by Moderator »

Yes, be sure to check out the new television adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, now in Season 2 - on HBO in the U.S. and the BBC in the UK.
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