Mind transfer (biological)

For a transfer of mind to a computer, see Mind uploading.

Mind transfer or identity transfer is a storytelling device seen in a variety of science fiction and supernatural fiction, in which one's consciousness is transferred into another body. ^[1] A "bidirectional" mind transfer is variously called body swap, mind swap, or identity exchange. ^[2]

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction distinguishes the following types of identity transfer:

• Transfer of the personality to another body akin to mind uploading into computer ^[1]
• Brain transplant ^[1]
• Aliens taking over human bodies ^[1]
• Shared identity, whereby the host body accepts another's mind ^[1]

Early occurrences include The Year 4338: Petersburg Letters (Vladimir Odoyevsky, 1835), in which mind transfer is but a plot trick to travel into the future, ^[3] and "Exchanging Their Souls" (Edward Page Mitchell, 1877), where it is used as a "wonderful cure" for a "Russian Prince Michalskovich". ^[4]

See also

• Reincarnation
• Human possession in science fiction
• Spirit possession

References

1. Identity Transfer, In: The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
2. Identity Exchange, In: The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
3. Cornwell, Neil, Vladimir Odoevsky and romantic poetics: collected essays, London, England: Berghahn Books, 1998.
4. Collected Stories by Edward Page Mitchell