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• April 3, 2025
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Being students of Literature, our heart beats for all species. Right!? Yes! We think about nature. Without nature, there would not have been any existence of literature. We all would agree that literature is an outcome of our interactions with nature. But the recent news of the cutting of 400 acres of jungles in the name of development has really impacted our understanding of literature. Why so? Posthumanism in literature is no longer a theory for UGC-NET English aspirants. So, what is it? It is a redefined version of our very own existence. This is how we persist to co-exist with all species and machines.

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What’s the whole matter?

The cutting of 400 acres of jungle is not something we would ever want to read in our newspapers. These trees have become our enriched learning spaces. We have sat under them with our books and have visited these forests to collect memories and build some. These forests are not just places but they push us to think beyond ourselves. This Beyonce forms the very existence of the posthumanist thought. Seeing peacocks and deer fighting for their existence to co-exist with human-made institutions (University of Hyderabad) is a going to be a common sight soon. Because we, the sapiens, seek consumerist development more than spiritual co-existence.

BJP MPs from Telangana appealed to the Union Education Minister to intervene and protect the 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, located near the University of Hyderabad campus. A delegation of MPs led by Union Minister of Mines and state BJP president G. Kishan Reddy met Pradhan and submitted a memorandum.

The memorandum read, “This land is home to unique rock formations, rich biodiversity, rich green cover, and plays a critical role in maintaining an ecological balance.” The MPs also pointed out that the area was a carbon sink, housing 734 species of plants, 220 species of birds, and vulnerable species like the Indian star tortoise. The land also has two lakes: Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake which help in sustaining biodiversity. The iconic mushroom rock formation is a part of this landscape.

On March 10, the University of Hyderabad witnessed a major protest against the auctioning of land. Over 22,000 signatures were put on a petition. The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation plans to develop and monetise the land while the state government is completely silent about the Environmental Impact Assessment, which shows negligence on the government’s part.

The murder of numberless flora and fauna is an agonizing exploitation because we are not following the basic principles of Lokasamagraha.

How is it related to posthumanism?

Posthumanism in literature challenges the traditional human-centric worldview, urging us to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all species. But what is posthumanism theory? Simply put, posthumanism questions the supremacy of human rationality and recognizes the agency of non-human entities, including animals, technology, and the environment.

Posthumanism theorists like Donna Haraway and Cary Wolfe have argued that the separation between human and non-human is a false construct. When we see peacocks and deer struggling for survival against human-made institutions like the University of Hyderabad, we witness a posthumanist dilemma in real time. This is not just a theoretical issue—it is a lived reality where the consequences of human-centric development play out as ecological disasters.

Posthumanism Novels and Their Reflections on Environmental Ethics

Numerous posthumanism novels explore the degradation of nature due to human intervention. Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy and Amitav Ghosh’s The Great Derangement are prime examples of posthumanism literature where human actions disrupt ecological equilibrium. These texts emphasize that nature is not passive but actively responds to human exploitation, often in violent and irreversible ways.

Posthumanism in Indian Literature: A Philosophical Insight

Posthumanism in Indian literature takes inspiration from ancient philosophies that promote ecological balance. The concept of Lokasamagraha, deeply rooted in Indian thought, advocates for collective well-being, including that of non-human entities. However, as the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation plans to develop and monetize the Kancha Gachibowli land, the government disregards the basic tenets of environmental ethics. The destruction of 734 species of plants, 220 species of birds, and vulnerable species like the Indian star tortoise is a violation of the core characteristics of posthumanism in literature—coexistence and interdependency.

The Urgency of Posthumanist Thought in Contemporary Times

The University of Hyderabad recently witnessed a significant protest against this environmental catastrophe, with over 22,000 signatures submitted in a petition. The iconic mushroom rock formation, the carbon sink potential of the forest, and the presence of Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake stand as testimonies to the need for an alternative development model.

The silent response of the state government to the Environmental Impact Assessment highlights the urgent need for a shift in consciousness. If we continue to prioritize consumerist expansion over ecological well-being, we risk severing our deep-rooted connections with the natural world—connections that posthumanism in literature seeks to revive.

Conclusion: Towards a Posthumanist Future

What are the types of posthumanism in English literature? While some focus on the impact of technology, others, like eco-posthumanism, emphasize our ethical responsibilities toward nature. Examples of posthumanism in English literature show us that literature is not merely a reflection of society but a tool for change.

The current environmental struggle in Hyderabad is not just about land; it is about the very definition of human progress. The University of Hyderabad’s disappearing green spaces remind us that posthumanism is not a distant academic concept but a necessary framework to rethink development in the Anthropocene. If we ignore this call, we risk not only losing trees but also the soul of posthumanist thought itself.

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FAQs

1. What is posthumanism?

Posthumanism is a philosophical and cultural movement that challenges traditional human-centered perspectives. It explores the evolving relationship between humans, technology, animals, and the environment, questioning the supremacy of human exceptionalism and emphasizing interconnectedness.

2. How is posthumanism different from transhumanism?

While both concepts deal with the evolution of humanity, transhumanism focuses on enhancing human abilities through technology (e.g., AI, genetic modification, cybernetics). Posthumanism, on the other hand, critiques human-centered ideologies and considers a future where humans are no longer the sole center of knowledge and existence.

3. Why is posthumanism relevant today?

With advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and environmental crises, posthumanism helps us rethink ethics, identity, and co-existence. It challenges anthropocentric views and offers new ways to address issues like climate change, digital culture, and bioethics.

4. What are the main branches of posthumanism?

Cultural Posthumanism – Questions traditional human roles in art, media, and philosophy.

Philosophical Posthumanism– Challenges human-centered ideologies and promotes non-human agency.

Critical Posthumanism– Deconstructs humanist assumptions and critiques power structures.

Techno-Posthumanism – Examines how technology transforms human identity and capabilities.

5. How does posthumanism impact literature and media?

Posthumanist themes are widely explored in literature, films, and media, depicting cyborgs, AI, and ecological concerns. Works like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick), Ex Machina, and Black Mirror challenge human identity, ethics, and technology’s role in shaping the future.

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