Why should you read sci-fi superstar Octavia E. Butler? - Ayana Jamieson and Moya Bailey

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 448

  • @snaketooth0943
    @snaketooth0943 5 років тому +1065

    Octavia E Butler sounds ahead of her time.

  • @jonathana.5270
    @jonathana.5270 5 років тому +1381

    How have I not heard of this author before? These stories sound so nuanced and thought-provoking. I'm heading to my public library right now.

    • @gva9947
      @gva9947 5 років тому +34

      Start with Kindred.

    • @cheesecakelasagna
      @cheesecakelasagna 5 років тому +8

      Relatable, have a nice day.

    • @TKMcEachin
      @TKMcEachin 4 роки тому +26

      Jonathan Avila she is the only sci-fi writer to win a MacArthur “genius” Award. My favorite book of hers is WILDSEED - it will blow you away! All of her books will!

    • @Master_Blackthorne
      @Master_Blackthorne 4 роки тому +3

      I found out about her listening to Mike Hodel's "Hour 25" hosted by Harlan Ellison.

    • @aminovich939
      @aminovich939 4 роки тому +6

      even dealt with her novel "kindred" at uni, super good

  • @purplepepper2503
    @purplepepper2503 5 років тому +496

    Another favorite quote from Octavia Butler,
    "Kindness eases change."

    • @cheesecakelasagna
      @cheesecakelasagna 5 років тому +6

      I love that.

    • @Retrostar619
      @Retrostar619 5 років тому +4

      This sounds like it would be of use at the moment.

    • @MuvaTwerks
      @MuvaTwerks 4 роки тому +6

      Purple Pepper “change is God, God is change”... she wrote that in parable of the sower

    • @chriswichert7818
      @chriswichert7818 4 роки тому +14

      "Kindness eases change, love quiets fear."

    • @hombrejose8164
      @hombrejose8164 3 роки тому +4

      Just three words but the amount of calm I felt reading it is immense

  • @liliebilie
    @liliebilie 5 років тому +203

    Wow I wish I had found her books when I was younger. I was a big reader and my dream has always been to publish a book (if not multiple books). I love sci-fi and fantasy but I hated how I struggled to find characters that were like me in my favourite books. So I wrote my own stories that reflected diverse characters and their point of view and to cope with the current state of the world. I feel like Octavia E Butler has accomplished what I've been working towards. I'm definitely going to read her books.

  • @mdempsey7128
    @mdempsey7128 5 років тому +620

    Her book, Kindred, is such a great book. 🤗

    • @mamaducksc
      @mamaducksc 5 років тому +20

      Kindred was AMAZING

    • @mdempsey7128
      @mdempsey7128 5 років тому +20

      mamaducksc, I was fortunate enough to have read it for a novel study. It sparked some great conversation in the classroom. Perhaps one of the most memorable books I’ve ever read.

    • @Ellier215
      @Ellier215 5 років тому +5

      You are incredibly correct.

    • @deniselabbate7192
      @deniselabbate7192 4 роки тому +3

      @@mdempsey7128 me too I totally agree

    • @francescoparrella9093
      @francescoparrella9093 4 роки тому +3

      I read it couple of months ago, for a university exam, it's amazing!

  • @annabelho7607
    @annabelho7607 5 років тому +540

    2:57 omg 'make america great again'
    Fiction is unfolding in reality

    • @DeiidraYvonne
      @DeiidraYvonne 5 років тому +70

      I had to rewind that twice.

    • @edeworabraham2761
      @edeworabraham2761 5 років тому +7

      Silly Kitty RIGHT

    • @cheesecakelasagna
      @cheesecakelasagna 5 років тому +21

      in 1998!

    • @gonk534
      @gonk534 5 років тому +53

      Make America Great Again was originally the slogan of Ronald Reagan. It isn’t new.

    • @blakechildress944
      @blakechildress944 5 років тому +11

      I don't think that necessarily means it's talking about Trump. Other leaders have said the same thing.

  • @RosiDarling
    @RosiDarling 5 років тому +111

    She is one of my favorite SciFi authors since the 70's. I'm now 70, and I still take out her stories now and then. They were ahead of their time then, and remain relevant today.
    I highly suggest her books, you will be absorbed into her landscape.

  • @PrimordialChaos07
    @PrimordialChaos07 5 років тому +113

    Octavia Butler was an amazing writer and visionary. Thank you for sharing her wonderful insights and story telling abilties.

  • @rxea545
    @rxea545 5 років тому +336

    I see it
    I like it
    I click it
    I learn it
    Edit: Oh my gosh i didn't expect so get so many likes! Tysm

    • @歐悠-y1n
      @歐悠-y1n 5 років тому +4

      I want it
      I got it

    • @kaia3815
      @kaia3815 5 років тому +8

      You like my knowledge? Gee thanks, just learned it.

    • @mikepoveyrulz
      @mikepoveyrulz 5 років тому

      Have another like ;-)

  • @samarendra109
    @samarendra109 5 років тому +324

    Why you should read Octavia E. Butler ? Because Ted-ed recommends to do so.
    No questions asked. 😊😄

    • @محمدعباس-ث9ن9ق
      @محمدعباس-ث9ن9ق 5 років тому

      -

    • @محمدعباس-ث9ن9ق
      @محمدعباس-ث9ن9ق 5 років тому

      ز

    • @user-ny1wo1vp9r
      @user-ny1wo1vp9r 5 років тому +8

      @jemielnic Why shouldn't we read those, though?
      I mean you don't have to agree with them. However reading them would help you get understand why people believe in them.

    • @qlpa96
      @qlpa96 5 років тому +6

      I love the irony that all TED does is teaching us to have different viewpoints and making us strive to broaden our horizons, yet you flatten it to "do it because TED says so". Please, be wary of the words you use.

  • @-4subscriberswithahammerad521
    @-4subscriberswithahammerad521 5 років тому +198

    Because reading is good for you

  • @chayito7
    @chayito7 3 роки тому +16

    Octavia was such a fantastic writer. Kindred was taught in my English class to learn about the oppressor and the oppressed; thus, to understand in-depth the essence of this book, we had to read the first chapter of Paolo Ferrie, a Brazilian phycologist. What I discovered in those readings was an element key to freeing myself from pain and anger towards people. Only, I realized that it was me who caused the pain and irritation. Because in my childhood, I was oppressed! Octavia Butler and Paolo Ferrie made me understand that we cannot be free from anger or continue to be oppressed as well as become the oppressor until we humanize ourselves.

  • @fqidz
    @fqidz 5 років тому +370

    I never heard of a book called "sci-fi superstar Octavia E. Butler" but I'm still gonna read it

    • @alenyedgaryan4288
      @alenyedgaryan4288 5 років тому +6

      exactly

    • @DanBrown96
      @DanBrown96 4 роки тому +14

      Similar phraseology as saying “why you should read Shakespeare”.

    • @ifihadfriends437
      @ifihadfriends437 4 роки тому +2

      @@DanBrown96 cos he was basic (ha ha get it reading)

    • @mstraker418
      @mstraker418 4 роки тому +8

      Not referring to a specific book but to the works of the the author who is a sci-fi superstar

    • @michaelcamacho3717
      @michaelcamacho3717 2 роки тому

      Dude, even in College, I've never really heard of Octavia Butler and the College I went to has a majority Leftist/Progressive professors.

  • @saratrao1101
    @saratrao1101 4 роки тому +8

    She's truly amazing. If this video is quoting form Earthseed then I feel it should say the quartet : All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change. God is change.

  • @BACW25
    @BACW25 5 років тому +51

    Because every word she ever wrote was fire

  • @BuddyL
    @BuddyL 5 років тому +143

    YES!!! I love Octavia's 📚! She's right up there with Ursula le Guin and Frank Herbert! Octavia left us too soon.
    Her books allow me to read fantastical stories with characters who LOOK LIKE ME.✊🏿

    • @1atclark1atspellman16
      @1atclark1atspellman16 5 років тому +2

      BuddyL because representation is everything!

    • @Frankinscience
      @Frankinscience 5 років тому +6

      Sadly, she did. Soon I hope her books will be adapted to film. Few know of her work and legacy as an intellect and great American writer.

    • @onceuponabeat6049
      @onceuponabeat6049 3 роки тому

      I love both those authors too! I'm so excited to explore Octavia's work!!

  • @theGhoulman
    @theGhoulman 3 роки тому +12

    As of March 2021 - The NASA Perseverance rover has had it's touchdown site named. This site on the planet Mars is officially called; 'Octavia E. Butler Landing'.

  • @kalopsiawitch9538
    @kalopsiawitch9538 5 років тому +14

    I am sooo happy they made a Ted Ed video of Octavia E. Butler. I love her books!❤️

  • @tiffanymoore5658
    @tiffanymoore5658 5 років тому +113

    Wild Seed is my favorite Octavia Butler novel. She was brilliant!

    • @williamwallsr4106
      @williamwallsr4106 5 років тому +6

      Yeah that series is one of my favorites!

    • @Laree2
      @Laree2 5 років тому +2

      Agreed!!

    • @zakiya1635
      @zakiya1635 3 роки тому +2

      Mine too! I hate that that group of books wasn't mentioned.

  • @ossifiedprophet7495
    @ossifiedprophet7495 5 років тому +248

    "Make America great again" damn it! 😂

    • @MsScully25
      @MsScully25 5 років тому +48

      Maybe she really was a time traveller :D

    • @quietstorm7684
      @quietstorm7684 5 років тому +2

      😮😶😯😲

    • @Republicanboy1
      @Republicanboy1 5 років тому +11

      People forget that Bill & Hillary used that slogan before Trump did.

    • @aliciab4676
      @aliciab4676 5 років тому +22

      @@Republicanboy1 It was used, but not as a slogan for the campaign. Reagan used "Let's Make America Great Again", but it's only slightly different lmao.

    • @harveybeaver9731
      @harveybeaver9731 5 років тому +2

      @@MsScully25 A mental time traveller for sure.

  • @dreamingdoe1588
    @dreamingdoe1588 5 років тому +19

    Just finished Parable of the Talents, it was amazing!

  • @alexborshets1799
    @alexborshets1799 3 роки тому +5

    Personally it's my first time hearing about this author, thank you for your video, I will deffinitely read her books. We need more diverse writers like her for true equality.

  • @seanprater8322
    @seanprater8322 4 роки тому +12

    "The only lasting truth is change : " God is change !"
    Lauren Olamina

  • @tabcat
    @tabcat 5 років тому +23

    So far I've only read _Wild Seed_ and _Fledgling,_ but they are both really good.

  • @DhampirParadox
    @DhampirParadox 5 років тому +22

    I’ve only read her short story collection “Bloodchild and other stories”. It’s an amazing collection - each story tackles a different issue or perspective. The titular tale is my favourite but that may be because I read it multiple for Uni.
    Definitely a book for anyone who likes sci-fi should check out. Also a good way to dip your toes into the sci-fi genre if it’s not usually your cup of tea.

  • @OrichiSan
    @OrichiSan 5 років тому +5

    I love her stories. She is an inspiration for my stories and has helped me get through some of life’s struggles

  • @Blacklitology
    @Blacklitology 7 місяців тому +2

    She is the blueprint and Queen of Science Fiction. Her imagination is beyond this universe!

  • @leontaiverson1091
    @leontaiverson1091 3 роки тому +4

    I looove Octavia Butler. Just started reading the Patternist series again for the 10th time. Probably have read it more times than that. Wonderful writer.

  • @matc8085
    @matc8085 5 років тому +4

    So I just finished reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and it was phenomenal why haven't I heard of her before? I will continue with more from her. Such an excellent writer.

  • @nivethethaa4262
    @nivethethaa4262 5 років тому +23

    Her voice is so soothing 🖤💜

  • @dillzee
    @dillzee 5 років тому +7

    The animation scares me but also comforts me

  • @umiiyabode
    @umiiyabode 2 роки тому +1

    I absolutely adore Octavia Butler and realize totally that she was a prophet among us. The Parables series, I read back in the late 90s, and they were soooo chilling then, and now they are way too close to our actual reality. Thanks for sharing her with another audience.

  • @margueritechastain6093
    @margueritechastain6093 4 роки тому +13

    To what if she’s an actual time traveler and she’s sorting us to prepare for these events in the future by reading her books and doing what they did or learning from their mistakes

  • @monicadenise6274
    @monicadenise6274 3 роки тому +2

    I am reading kindred right now and can’t believe I haven’t heard of her before last week. She is amazing!!!

  • @kanedabukarov7809
    @kanedabukarov7809 3 роки тому +4

    Her short story 'the blood child' is genius.

  • @dylansearcy3966
    @dylansearcy3966 5 років тому +6

    Octavia Butler just predicted the future

  • @noawilding7040
    @noawilding7040 2 роки тому +2

    I love when philosophy and science fiction meet. She is great at that.

  • @DeiidraYvonne
    @DeiidraYvonne 5 років тому +6

    I've read Kindred 3 times. I love that book so much!

  • @starcherry6814
    @starcherry6814 5 років тому +55

    Why? Because she’s a brilliant writer!

    • @carboncrafter793
      @carboncrafter793 5 років тому +1

      yeah and not because of the color of her skin

  • @jameshatzopoulos3974
    @jameshatzopoulos3974 Рік тому +2

    Great video!

  • @theblackpearlofbraavos
    @theblackpearlofbraavos 4 роки тому +2

    Afrofuturism FTW. Happy Birthday Month, Octavia Butler!!

  • @SampaJasli
    @SampaJasli 5 років тому +47

    one of my fave authors. parable of the sower is amazing. need to check out her other works..

    • @gva9947
      @gva9947 5 років тому +1

      Kindred is my favourite Octavia Butler book.

  • @disappointmentatitsfinest3107
    @disappointmentatitsfinest3107 5 років тому +20

    Currently reading “kindred”.

  • @kavanpuranik98
    @kavanpuranik98 4 роки тому +1

    WOW! She sounds like a visionary! Why isn't she more popular??? I mean, I'm a sci-fi reader and I keep track of most sci-fi books and authors, but I've never heard of her, why is that? Anyways, I'm gonna go check out her works!

  • @sebastianelytron8450
    @sebastianelytron8450 5 років тому +36

    New Ted-Ed video = best part of the day!

  • @kentonporter1659
    @kentonporter1659 Рік тому +1

    I like how she saw a movie and thought, and then did do better

  • @bjmccann1
    @bjmccann1 5 років тому +18

    The novel, Dawn, LITERALLY blew my mind. I actually felt dizzy considering the concepts, and had to put it down for like a week before I finished reading it. Fledgling, her final work (due to her death) and the part of an unfinished trilogy, is mind-numbing as well. When you think about the atrocities that the little girl had to endure, and the equally horrible choices that her had to make ... I'll just say that the book is heavy.

    • @gva9947
      @gva9947 5 років тому +1

      Have you read Kindred?

    • @bjmccann1
      @bjmccann1 5 років тому +2

      @@gva9947 Not yet. If you did, I hope that you really enjoyed it.

  • @kristenearl1931
    @kristenearl1931 Рік тому +1

    When I read "Make America Great Again" in 1998 Parable of the Talents, I audibly gasped

  • @arkajyotichakraborty
    @arkajyotichakraborty 4 роки тому +3

    Just read Kindred. Thanks for the splendid recommendation.

  • @seewardone
    @seewardone 5 років тому +3

    She is truly one of the best creators of the world. Octavia E. Butler is an incomparable soothsayer

  • @poweroffriendship2.0
    @poweroffriendship2.0 5 років тому +15

    *_Octavia E. Butler's work did a greater job than Ghostbusters 2016._*

    • @snaketooth0943
      @snaketooth0943 5 років тому +1

      Sound like it. Truly, she was ahead of her time.

    • @Savannah_Simpson
      @Savannah_Simpson 5 років тому +5

      WTF does that have to do with anything?

    • @snaketooth0943
      @snaketooth0943 5 років тому

      @@Savannah_Simpson Both are involve female leads in a sci fi/fantasy setting.

    • @JK-gu3tl
      @JK-gu3tl 5 років тому

      From the sounds of it, Butler would've love that version of Ghostbusters.

  • @torturedparadox
    @torturedparadox 5 років тому +14

    Lilith's Brood or, as I knew it, Xenogenesis, was my favorite book in high school. I read it so much that I had to have it rebound (it's a hardback) and it's still one of my all-time favorites. Butler was an amazing writer, and her works should be required reading in school.

  • @coachbahman
    @coachbahman 5 років тому +23

    Scifi is the creative mind of humans, they create the future inside their mind..

    • @eleanorbrushia
      @eleanorbrushia 5 років тому

      Your Favorite Lifecoach *cough* fantasy *cough*

  • @una877
    @una877 5 років тому +3

    I've heard her name mentioned before a sci-fi fiction context, but wow, these texts sound amazing.

  • @leoalcaraz6153
    @leoalcaraz6153 2 роки тому

    This is why I follow this channel; never heard of her and now I have to read her works; these sound like amazing stories

  • @nnekaokon3228
    @nnekaokon3228 4 роки тому +4

    When is one of her stories going to be brought to the screen!!!!!!!

  • @tinaye8638
    @tinaye8638 Рік тому

    I just finsihed 'Kindred' and 'Parable of the Sower'. Her work is amazing and so immersive. Can't wait to read more of her work.

  • @batosato
    @batosato 3 роки тому +1

    I learn so much every day. Thanks for making these videos possible.

  • @SharonDJohnson515
    @SharonDJohnson515 5 років тому +1

    Complete awesomeness, Ayana & Moya!

  • @BlahDeeBlah
    @BlahDeeBlah 5 років тому +3

    1:57 - This is scarily accurate.

  • @devorahdevitt3317
    @devorahdevitt3317 3 роки тому +2

    I feel I discovered her late unfortunately even though I knew of her work vaguely trying to do a nonfiction myself and she was estranged from me for years but when I embraced her I embraced fully and couragesly because, like her, I discovered my voice in the love of telling my story which I call Visionary/ScienceFact. I miss her.

  • @JeromeK
    @JeromeK 5 років тому +1

    Amnesty.
    If you folk want to learn about her, I strongly recommend that short story.
    It woke in me so many emotions and feelings that I can't stop thinking about it. Perhaps I'm wrong and this recommendation will fall short from your expectations.
    But, since you are here reading these words, I thing you'll be trapped as I was by this story. And you will read it and re-read it with the same pleasure and dread as I did.
    Cheers!

  • @robertma6068
    @robertma6068 Рік тому

    It was Canadian Independent Bookstores Day today, and I was able to get a copy of the second book of the series mentioend in this video. My first Octavia Butler book, and I'm really excited. I remembered he so well from a Canadian Sci Fi review show "Prisoners of Gravity." from when I was very young. She had such a distint personality and presence. I'm excitd to finally dive into one of her worlds!

  • @RecetasMaricel
    @RecetasMaricel 5 років тому +2

    Interesting, I will read it because the key is the change of the transcendental paradigms. 👌🤗

  • @12inter88
    @12inter88 2 роки тому +1

    I’m excited to say I’m teaching “Kindred” next year in my 11th grade class! :)

  • @ivanreiss
    @ivanreiss 5 років тому +3

    Extraordinary.

  • @Saiku584
    @Saiku584 5 років тому +3

    Dont understand..but I appreciate it when its TedEd

  • @duckymomo7935
    @duckymomo7935 5 років тому +12

    I love this book Kindred

    • @20191985
      @20191985 5 років тому

      Mom got me the graphic novel and I've been hooked ever since

  • @kapilshrestha9096
    @kapilshrestha9096 3 роки тому +3

    The book we didn't know we needed.

  • @pangthao7595
    @pangthao7595 5 років тому +2

    Because she is awesome!

  • @simplelittlex
    @simplelittlex 9 місяців тому +1

    Octavia is soooo amazing!

  • @SacreDro
    @SacreDro 5 років тому +4

    Sci-fi may be another reality in another dimension.

  • @mamaducksc
    @mamaducksc 5 років тому +2

    My absolute favorite sci fi author! I cried when I learned that she'd died.

  • @unleashingpotential-psycho9433
    @unleashingpotential-psycho9433 5 років тому +6

    Sci fi can open our mind to new things 🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @Naruto_from_the_Naruto_show
    @Naruto_from_the_Naruto_show 5 років тому +7

    Damn, how come I never heard of her? Her work seems as important to literature as it sounds entertaining. (Not that her topics are any fun ya know, slavery, misogyny, racism is not fun at all, but interesting enough to keep someone engaged in reading).

  • @BobMcCoy
    @BobMcCoy 5 років тому +11

    *I was just reading about her!*

  • @AJJuly
    @AJJuly 2 роки тому

    I read Kindred in high school. I went to school in Pasadena so it was a must. It really stuck with me & I've been meaning to purchase a copy for myself.

  • @gustavovillegas5909
    @gustavovillegas5909 2 роки тому

    Parable of the Sower is one of my favorite stories ever written, so glad we read it in college

  • @歐悠-y1n
    @歐悠-y1n 5 років тому +3

    2:54 LOVE the trump cameo omg

  • @RosaX305
    @RosaX305 3 роки тому

    Fell in love with octavia butler in college. An underrated national treasure.

  • @handl3_me
    @handl3_me Рік тому +1

    Wrote in 1998 'Make America great again? Indeed a true futuristic..

  • @ompiba
    @ompiba 4 роки тому +1

    Wow in Parable of the Sower, the main character IS called Lauren and she's on a quest with refugees...Lauryn Hill loved this book according to a song by Talib Kweli. I really need to read Octavia Butler

  • @PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth
    @PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth 4 роки тому +6

    I read Clay's Ark for a class a few months back, it's a story about humans slowly losing their humanity to an infectious parasite. I have never had a more unpleasant literary experience, and I mean that in the best way possible. That story was terrifying! Psychological horror honed to surgical precision! I learned a lot from Octavia Butler's work.
    ...but I don't think I'll be reading any more all that soon. I like to sleep at night!

  • @andrewlim9345
    @andrewlim9345 3 роки тому

    Have read Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. Enjoyed her colourful writing style and exploration of social and political issues.

  • @Crystale17
    @Crystale17 5 років тому +3

    One of the greatest science fiction writers of all time

  • @nataliebrown80
    @nataliebrown80 5 років тому +1

    Her stories changed my mind about science fiction

  • @Craw1011
    @Craw1011 5 років тому +1

    Please give us more book recs. I love these videos and would especially love to see one on Pynchon

  • @ratkingyesimratking
    @ratkingyesimratking 5 років тому +2

    You make the perfect videos for me and everybody else

  • @XYouVandal
    @XYouVandal Рік тому

    she is brilliant. Im reading Talents now

  • @연서진-n2x
    @연서진-n2x 5 років тому +6

    Lilith's Brood changed my perception of sci-fi novels and of the world. I really wish I had known her when I was young.

  • @xiesalicaceae2482
    @xiesalicaceae2482 3 роки тому

    Thank you so much for this video. This was awesome. The animation is amazing.

  • @geophph4324
    @geophph4324 5 років тому +2

    I’d really like to see The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy as an episode, Anyone else?

  • @wandefter
    @wandefter 3 роки тому

    I love how the example they gave at the start of the video to show us what tough topics she wrote about, has literally one of the easiest answers to it

  • @ENOC772
    @ENOC772 Рік тому

    Octavia Butler is a great writer, and Liliths Brood is a must if you like sci fic

  • @sarahx7942
    @sarahx7942 3 роки тому +1

    Kindred is an amazing sci-fi book! Highly recommend 🙌🏾

  • @isabelaoliveira9270
    @isabelaoliveira9270 5 років тому +2

    Que vídeo maravilhoso! Já faz um bom tempo que eu venho querendo ler livros dessa autora

  • @RayRay-yb9bk
    @RayRay-yb9bk 5 років тому +4

    Reading is the food for your brain

  • @gustavobernal3299
    @gustavobernal3299 5 років тому +4

    A Why You Should Read The Divine Comedy would be awesome

  • @InvestingBookSummaries
    @InvestingBookSummaries 5 років тому +3

    I read a lot of non-fiction investing books; however, I also enjoy sci-fi books too just for fun!

  • @AdityaSingh-bz6dg
    @AdityaSingh-bz6dg 5 років тому +16

    The animations are best😍😍