Future Emotions and Senses: Chen Qiufan's Science Fiction of the Anthropocene

This article focuses on Chinese science fiction writer Chen Qiufan’s 陳楸帆 (1981–) short stories to examine the changing environmental messages they convey over the decade 2012–2022. Borrowing environmental philosopher Glenn A. Albrecht’s concepts of psychoterratic emotions, the article demonstrates how Chen’s “Weilai Bingshi” 未來病史 (A History of Future Illnesses) reflects the collective fear and anxiety of human beings when encountering a range of environmental crises. Turning to his “Balin” 巴鱗 (Balin), “Taikong Dacong” 太空大蔥 (Space Leek), and “Jun Ge” 菌歌 (Do You Hear the Fungi Sing?), the article suggests signs of a positive turn can be seen in Chen’s more recent works, with the emphasis gradually shifting from fearful, pessimistic visions of future ecodystopia that alarm us to compassionate visions of multispecies entanglements, as well as the reenchantment of the world through finding mutual enhancements of spiritualism and technologism. By examining the interplay between modernity and tradition, technology and superstition, and by reinventing the spirit of Chinese nativesoil and hometown writing, Chen Qiufan’s short stories of psychoterratic emotions and senses urge us to reconceptualize and renew our commitments to what we call “home” on both local and planetary scales, in the Anthropocene present as well as postAnthropocene future.