TBD - To Be Determined Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/tbd-to-be-determined Classic scifi short stories ... some you know, some you don't. But all of them are worthy of another look. 2021 - 2024 d8f7e49a-704f-5b9b-8cbb-b721106e143f yes Episode 8 - Sampler Platter from Mimsy Were the Borogoves en Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:44:35 -0500 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:45:09 -0500 https://img.transistorcdn.com/4K2wqhw5NwA1bLBi95c4AX6AOFAeVYgqxSgVG4lqT4U/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzIxNjMxLzE2MjI1/NjE2NjUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg TBD - To Be Determined episodic Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Classic scifi short stories ... some you know, some you don't. But all of them are worthy of another look. Classic scifi short stories ... classic scifi, short stories, speculative fiction Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm No Yes Episode 32 - Wanders and Travelers (Arkady Strugotsky) 32 32 Episode 32 - Wanders and Travelers (Arkady Strugotsky) full 93084b7c-7afb-4084-bbc4-c6b4b24f9055 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e211734 Theme: Does this RFID tag make me look inferior?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Murray Leinster. “First Contact.”
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Star Trek: Next Generation. Babylon 5.
Ideas. Soviet-era science fiction. Political philosophy. World building. Queries about similarities and differences among species on Earth and other places around the universe. Reflections on the relative intelligence (and by extension significance) of species. Ponders the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and how it might compare to humans. What responsibilities do we have to other species? What responsibilities do they have to us? What is intelligence? What is reason? What is evolution and maturity? The Golden Rule as a guide for interspecies engagement. The Prime Directive. Alien abduction.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. Bill says yes, but with a sprinkle of Whoa. 

Correction. Bill refers to the septopods as a subclass of octopi, then in fact they would be another order of cephalopod. A momentary lapse of biologic.

Previous episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”
Next episode: Frank Robinson, “The Wreck of the Ship John B”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

]]> Theme: Does this RFID tag make me look inferior?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Murray Leinster. “First Contact.”
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Star Trek: Next Generation. Babylon 5.
Ideas. Soviet-era science fiction. Political philosophy. World building. Queries about similarities and differences among species on Earth and other places around the universe. Reflections on the relative intelligence (and by extension significance) of species. Ponders the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and how it might compare to humans. What responsibilities do we have to other species? What responsibilities do they have to us? What is intelligence? What is reason? What is evolution and maturity? The Golden Rule as a guide for interspecies engagement. The Prime Directive. Alien abduction.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. Bill says yes, but with a sprinkle of Whoa. 

Correction. Bill refers to the septopods as a subclass of octopi, then in fact they would be another order of cephalopod. A momentary lapse of biologic.

Previous episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”
Next episode: Frank Robinson, “The Wreck of the Ship John B”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:44:02 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2464 Theme: Does this RFID tag make me look inferior?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Murray Leinster. “First Contact.”
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Star Trek: Next Generation. Babylon 5.
Ideas. Soviet-era science fiction. Political philosophy. World building. Queries about similarities and differences among species on Earth and other places around the universe. Reflections on the relative intelligence (and by extension significance) of species. Ponders the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and how it might compare to humans. What responsibilities do we have to other species? What responsibilities do they have to us? What is intelligence? What is reason? What is evolution and maturity? The Golden Rule as a guide for interspecies engagement. The Prime Directive. Alien abduction.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. Bill says yes, but with a sprinkle of Whoa. 

Correction. Bill refers to the septopods as a subclass of octopi, then in fact they would be another order of cephalopod. A momentary lapse of biologic.

Previous episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”
Next episode: Frank Robinson, “The Wreck of the Ship John B”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 

]]> Arkady Strugotsky, Wanders and Travelers, scifi Yes Episode 31 - The Forest of Zyl (Chis Neville) 31 31 Episode 31 - The Forest of Zyl (Chis Neville) full b26f386f-f99d-4576-badd-1dbac51ff44b https://share.transistor.fm/s/caa8ebb1 Theme: It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Murray Leinster, The Lonely Planet. Ursula K. LeGuin, “Vaster Than Empires and More Slow.” Stanislaw Lem, Solaris. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game. Jack McDevitt. Robert Heinlein, “They.”
Films. The Happening. 
TV episodes, series. That margarine commercial from the 70s. The Office.
Ideas. Colonial expansion on a planetary scale. Links between recorded history and species survival. Erase history, erase humanity and all life on Earth. Genetic code is a form of recorded history. Sentient planets and plants. Can civilization advance if it cannot record its history or accomplishments? Gaia Hypothesis. Animism.
What did we miss? James Tiptree, Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.”
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. We gave it away early … a definite WTF tale.

Previous episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”
Next episode: Arkady Strugotsky, “Wanderers and Travelers”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Murray Leinster, The Lonely Planet. Ursula K. LeGuin, “Vaster Than Empires and More Slow.” Stanislaw Lem, Solaris. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game. Jack McDevitt. Robert Heinlein, “They.”
Films. The Happening. 
TV episodes, series. That margarine commercial from the 70s. The Office.
Ideas. Colonial expansion on a planetary scale. Links between recorded history and species survival. Erase history, erase humanity and all life on Earth. Genetic code is a form of recorded history. Sentient planets and plants. Can civilization advance if it cannot record its history or accomplishments? Gaia Hypothesis. Animism.
What did we miss? James Tiptree, Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.”
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. We gave it away early … a definite WTF tale.

Previous episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”
Next episode: Arkady Strugotsky, “Wanderers and Travelers”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:28:47 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 1892 Theme: It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Murray Leinster, The Lonely Planet. Ursula K. LeGuin, “Vaster Than Empires and More Slow.” Stanislaw Lem, Solaris. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game. Jack McDevitt. Robert Heinlein, “They.”
Films. The Happening. 
TV episodes, series. That margarine commercial from the 70s. The Office.
Ideas. Colonial expansion on a planetary scale. Links between recorded history and species survival. Erase history, erase humanity and all life on Earth. Genetic code is a form of recorded history. Sentient planets and plants. Can civilization advance if it cannot record its history or accomplishments? Gaia Hypothesis. Animism.
What did we miss? James Tiptree, Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.”
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. We gave it away early … a definite WTF tale.

Previous episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”
Next episode: Arkady Strugotsky, “Wanderers and Travelers”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Chris Neville, The Forest of Zyl, intelligent planets Yes Episode 30 - Captive Audience (Ann Warren Griffith) 30 30 Episode 30 - Captive Audience (Ann Warren Griffith) full 9fb98ac9-3aa3-405b-929b-aa05e6dd2187 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1dbc7c18 Theme: Paying your debt to Capitalism

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Ann Warren Griffith, “Zeritsky’s Law.” Henry Cuttner, “Nothing But Ginger Bread Left.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Ultimate Melody.” Fritz Leiber, “The Girl With the Hungry Eyes.” Frederic Pohl, The Space Merchants. Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash. George Orwell, 1984.
Films. Blade Runner.
Music. Rush, “Subdivisions.”
TV episodes, series. Commercials. The Super Bowl.
Ideas. What if advertising were everywhere? Well … even MORE everywhere. What if it were a crime to ignore or block advertising? Do we live in a Capitalist surveillance society? We are conditioned to consume.
What did we miss? The Truman Show for its ad placement. They Live for its subliminal messages about consumption.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill wishes this was a WTF story, but alas. Dan says Hmmm.   

Previous episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”
Next episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: Paying your debt to Capitalism

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Ann Warren Griffith, “Zeritsky’s Law.” Henry Cuttner, “Nothing But Ginger Bread Left.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Ultimate Melody.” Fritz Leiber, “The Girl With the Hungry Eyes.” Frederic Pohl, The Space Merchants. Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash. George Orwell, 1984.
Films. Blade Runner.
Music. Rush, “Subdivisions.”
TV episodes, series. Commercials. The Super Bowl.
Ideas. What if advertising were everywhere? Well … even MORE everywhere. What if it were a crime to ignore or block advertising? Do we live in a Capitalist surveillance society? We are conditioned to consume.
What did we miss? The Truman Show for its ad placement. They Live for its subliminal messages about consumption.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill wishes this was a WTF story, but alas. Dan says Hmmm.   

Previous episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”
Next episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:31:04 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2426 Theme: Paying your debt to Capitalism

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Ann Warren Griffith, “Zeritsky’s Law.” Henry Cuttner, “Nothing But Ginger Bread Left.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Ultimate Melody.” Fritz Leiber, “The Girl With the Hungry Eyes.” Frederic Pohl, The Space Merchants. Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash. George Orwell, 1984.
Films. Blade Runner.
Music. Rush, “Subdivisions.”
TV episodes, series. Commercials. The Super Bowl.
Ideas. What if advertising were everywhere? Well … even MORE everywhere. What if it were a crime to ignore or block advertising? Do we live in a Capitalist surveillance society? We are conditioned to consume.
What did we miss? The Truman Show for its ad placement. They Live for its subliminal messages about consumption.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill wishes this was a WTF story, but alas. Dan says Hmmm.   

Previous episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”
Next episode: Chris Neville, “The Forest of Zyl”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Captive Audience, Ann Warren Griffith, Advertising, Consumerism, Captialism Yes Episode 29 - 10:01 AM (Alexander Malac) 29 29 Episode 29 - 10:01 AM (Alexander Malac) full ca4d1418-6ec5-47b9-a658-b40e32e26ae4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c4bdfca4 Theme: Justice, fast-food style

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Alexander Malac, Extrapolosis. Harry Harrison, The Stainless Steel Rat series. Daniel H. Wilson, Where’s My Jetpack? Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead.”
Films. Star Wars. Running Man. Judge Dread. RoboCop. Blade Runner.
TV episodes, series. Firefly. Judge Judy. The People’s Court , Judge Mathis. The Hot Bench.
Ideas. Vehicular homicide. Smart vehicles in surveillance cities. Instant, data-driven justice justice. Science fiction as a collection of (among other things) cautionary tales.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm and Whoa. Bill says no WTF, but plenty of the other two.

Previous episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”
Next episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: Justice, fast-food style

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Alexander Malac, Extrapolosis. Harry Harrison, The Stainless Steel Rat series. Daniel H. Wilson, Where’s My Jetpack? Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead.”
Films. Star Wars. Running Man. Judge Dread. RoboCop. Blade Runner.
TV episodes, series. Firefly. Judge Judy. The People’s Court , Judge Mathis. The Hot Bench.
Ideas. Vehicular homicide. Smart vehicles in surveillance cities. Instant, data-driven justice justice. Science fiction as a collection of (among other things) cautionary tales.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm and Whoa. Bill says no WTF, but plenty of the other two.

Previous episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”
Next episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fri, 03 Jan 2025 13:35:30 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2750 Theme: Justice, fast-food style

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Alexander Malac, Extrapolosis. Harry Harrison, The Stainless Steel Rat series. Daniel H. Wilson, Where’s My Jetpack? Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead.”
Films. Star Wars. Running Man. Judge Dread. RoboCop. Blade Runner.
TV episodes, series. Firefly. Judge Judy. The People’s Court , Judge Mathis. The Hot Bench.
Ideas. Vehicular homicide. Smart vehicles in surveillance cities. Instant, data-driven justice justice. Science fiction as a collection of (among other things) cautionary tales.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm and Whoa. Bill says no WTF, but plenty of the other two.

Previous episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”
Next episode: Ann Warren Griffith, “Captive Audience”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Alexander Malac, 10:01 AM, crime sci fi Yes Episode 28 - Chicago (Thomas F. Monteleone) 28 28 Episode 28 - Chicago (Thomas F. Monteleone) full 90eb9ce8-cc5f-4312-bf87-4dbd08ffd8ec https://share.transistor.fm/s/a9598a5c Theme: If I had a million robots ...

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Dean Koontz. Monteleone, The Time Swept City. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry.” Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Cyril Kornbluth, “Marching Morons.” Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream.” Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Colossus. The Planet of the Apes film series. Finch. I, Robot. Wall-E. Star Wars.
TV episodes, series. Car Talk. Star Trek (the original series).
Ideas. Automated, smart cities. Robots. Post-apocalyptic Earth. Human devolution. What does it mean to be human?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … hmmm at best. Maybe we need to add Meh to the scale? Bill says yep. 

Previous episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”
Next episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: If I had a million robots ...

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Dean Koontz. Monteleone, The Time Swept City. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry.” Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Cyril Kornbluth, “Marching Morons.” Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream.” Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Colossus. The Planet of the Apes film series. Finch. I, Robot. Wall-E. Star Wars.
TV episodes, series. Car Talk. Star Trek (the original series).
Ideas. Automated, smart cities. Robots. Post-apocalyptic Earth. Human devolution. What does it mean to be human?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … hmmm at best. Maybe we need to add Meh to the scale? Bill says yep. 

Previous episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”
Next episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Sat, 30 Nov 2024 15:38:39 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2366 Theme: If I had a million robots ...

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Dean Koontz. Monteleone, The Time Swept City. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry.” Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.” Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Cyril Kornbluth, “Marching Morons.” Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream.” Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Colossus. The Planet of the Apes film series. Finch. I, Robot. Wall-E. Star Wars.
TV episodes, series. Car Talk. Star Trek (the original series).
Ideas. Automated, smart cities. Robots. Post-apocalyptic Earth. Human devolution. What does it mean to be human?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … hmmm at best. Maybe we need to add Meh to the scale? Bill says yep. 

Previous episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”
Next episode: Alexander Malec, “10:01 AM”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Thomas Monteleone, Chicago, post-apocalyptic sci fi, smart cities Yes Episode 27 - For a Breath I Tarry (Roger Zelazny) 27 27 Episode 27 - For a Breath I Tarry (Roger Zelazny) full bcd5d4bb-7217-466a-ac2e-ae1a557761cd https://share.transistor.fm/s/4102c05e Theme: What does it mean to be human?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Roger Zelanzny, Chronicles of Amber. Neil Gaiman, Sandman. The Bible. Isaac Asimov, Bicentennial Man. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Bicentennial Man. AI. Blade Runner. I, Robot. Finch.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Ideas. Literary sci fi. Mythological connections. Logic is once again the defining characteristic of humankind, even in a post-human world. In that context, the story asks … what does it mean to be human? What role does emotion play in defining humanity?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says it is designed to be a Hmmm tale. Dan agrees.

Previous episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”
Next episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: What does it mean to be human?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Roger Zelanzny, Chronicles of Amber. Neil Gaiman, Sandman. The Bible. Isaac Asimov, Bicentennial Man. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Bicentennial Man. AI. Blade Runner. I, Robot. Finch.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Ideas. Literary sci fi. Mythological connections. Logic is once again the defining characteristic of humankind, even in a post-human world. In that context, the story asks … what does it mean to be human? What role does emotion play in defining humanity?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says it is designed to be a Hmmm tale. Dan agrees.

Previous episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”
Next episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 21 May 2024 12:24:21 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 3379 Theme: What does it mean to be human?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Roger Zelanzny, Chronicles of Amber. Neil Gaiman, Sandman. The Bible. Isaac Asimov, Bicentennial Man. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.”
Films. Bicentennial Man. AI. Blade Runner. I, Robot. Finch.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Ideas. Literary sci fi. Mythological connections. Logic is once again the defining characteristic of humankind, even in a post-human world. In that context, the story asks … what does it mean to be human? What role does emotion play in defining humanity?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says it is designed to be a Hmmm tale. Dan agrees.

Previous episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”
Next episode: Thomas F. Monteleone, “Chicago”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Roger Zelazny, For a Breath I Tarry, mythology in science fiction Yes Episode 26 - There Will Come Soft Rains (Ray Bradbury) 26 26 Episode 26 - There Will Come Soft Rains (Ray Bradbury) full aca6bf4c-f8a9-48cb-9b81-ee5e0bbf5fb3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/43ebf52c Theme: Our house … is a very, very, very smart house

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Sara Teasdale, “There Will Come Soft Rains.”  Dean Koontz, The Demon Seed. Alan Weisman, The World Without Us. James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.” McSweeney’s.com. Fritz Lieber, “A Pale of Air.” Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon.”
Films. The Demon Seed. I, Robot. Back to the Future. Mad Max. Planet of the Apes. Winnie the Pooh.
TV episodes, series. Ray Bradbury Theater. The Jetsons. The Jeffersons. Life After People. Little House on the Prairie.
Ideas. Nuclear holocaust. Automated houses. "Life" after the apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it is definitely a Hmmm story to begin with, but maybe a little bit a Hmmm - wtf. As in WTF did you humans do? Bill says it is a bit of Whoa because there are no humans.

Previous episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”
Next episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: Our house … is a very, very, very smart house

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Sara Teasdale, “There Will Come Soft Rains.”  Dean Koontz, The Demon Seed. Alan Weisman, The World Without Us. James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.” McSweeney’s.com. Fritz Lieber, “A Pale of Air.” Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon.”
Films. The Demon Seed. I, Robot. Back to the Future. Mad Max. Planet of the Apes. Winnie the Pooh.
TV episodes, series. Ray Bradbury Theater. The Jetsons. The Jeffersons. Life After People. Little House on the Prairie.
Ideas. Nuclear holocaust. Automated houses. "Life" after the apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it is definitely a Hmmm story to begin with, but maybe a little bit a Hmmm - wtf. As in WTF did you humans do? Bill says it is a bit of Whoa because there are no humans.

Previous episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”
Next episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2024 08:39:09 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2122 Theme: Our house … is a very, very, very smart house

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Sara Teasdale, “There Will Come Soft Rains.”  Dean Koontz, The Demon Seed. Alan Weisman, The World Without Us. James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain.” McSweeney’s.com. Fritz Lieber, “A Pale of Air.” Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon.”
Films. The Demon Seed. I, Robot. Back to the Future. Mad Max. Planet of the Apes. Winnie the Pooh.
TV episodes, series. Ray Bradbury Theater. The Jetsons. The Jeffersons. Life After People. Little House on the Prairie.
Ideas. Nuclear holocaust. Automated houses. "Life" after the apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it is definitely a Hmmm story to begin with, but maybe a little bit a Hmmm - wtf. As in WTF did you humans do? Bill says it is a bit of Whoa because there are no humans.

Previous episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”
Next episode: Roger Zelazny, “For a Breath I Tarry”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Ray Bradbury, "There Will Come Soft Rains" Yes Episode 25 - The Last Flight of Dr. Ain (James Tiptree, Jr) 25 25 Episode 25 - The Last Flight of Dr. Ain (James Tiptree, Jr) full c7284f54-362e-4a65-af2f-7b7ac710cf20 https://share.transistor.fm/s/eac7f1de Theme: A plague of humans.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Lynn Margulis, the Gaia Hypothesis. Stephen King, The Stand. Richard Matheson, I Am Legend. Richard Preston, The Hot Zone. Albert Robina, The War in the Twentieth Century. Aldo’s Huxley, Brave New World. H.G. Wells, “The Stolen Bacillus.” Nicholas Christakis, Apollo’s Arrow. 
Films. The Matrix. Resident Evil films. The Omega Man. The Last Man On Earth. I Am Legend. 12 Monkeys. The Andromeda Strain. Outbreak.
Games. Plague Incorporated. The Goliath Virus.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Environmental degradation. The Gaia Hypothesis. Biological warfare.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. A very plausible hmmm. Bill wishes that it could be a WTF story, but it is just too real.

Previous episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”
Next episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: A plague of humans.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Lynn Margulis, the Gaia Hypothesis. Stephen King, The Stand. Richard Matheson, I Am Legend. Richard Preston, The Hot Zone. Albert Robina, The War in the Twentieth Century. Aldo’s Huxley, Brave New World. H.G. Wells, “The Stolen Bacillus.” Nicholas Christakis, Apollo’s Arrow. 
Films. The Matrix. Resident Evil films. The Omega Man. The Last Man On Earth. I Am Legend. 12 Monkeys. The Andromeda Strain. Outbreak.
Games. Plague Incorporated. The Goliath Virus.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Environmental degradation. The Gaia Hypothesis. Biological warfare.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. A very plausible hmmm. Bill wishes that it could be a WTF story, but it is just too real.

Previous episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”
Next episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:25:42 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2272 Theme: A plague of humans.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Lynn Margulis, the Gaia Hypothesis. Stephen King, The Stand. Richard Matheson, I Am Legend. Richard Preston, The Hot Zone. Albert Robina, The War in the Twentieth Century. Aldo’s Huxley, Brave New World. H.G. Wells, “The Stolen Bacillus.” Nicholas Christakis, Apollo’s Arrow. 
Films. The Matrix. Resident Evil films. The Omega Man. The Last Man On Earth. I Am Legend. 12 Monkeys. The Andromeda Strain. Outbreak.
Games. Plague Incorporated. The Goliath Virus.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Environmental degradation. The Gaia Hypothesis. Biological warfare.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Hmmm. A very plausible hmmm. Bill wishes that it could be a WTF story, but it is just too real.

Previous episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”
Next episode: Ray Bradbury, “There Will Come Soft Rains”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> apocalyptic sc fi, James Tiptree Jr., Last Flight of Dr. Ain Yes Episode 24 - Inconstant Moon (Larry Niven) 24 24 Episode 24 - Inconstant Moon (Larry Niven) full 5ec63dfd-e4dc-49c1-a778-db65f0048b05 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6234db43 Theme: It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel … angst.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Larry Niven, Ringworld series. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Arthur C. Clarke, “Rescue Party,” and “The Star.” Jerry Pournelle. Ursula K. LeGuin.
Films. Finch. Castaway. Solar Flare. Sunshine. Sharknado. The World’s End. Knowing. Apollo 19.
TV episodes, series. The Land of the Lost. Star Trek: The Animated Series. The Outer Limits. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Music. Nickel Creek, “The 21st of May.”
Ideas. Apocalyptic, hard sci fi. Solar decay/disaster. Disaster stories. The last night on Earth.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm & Whoa. Bills suggests it is a rising and falling Whoa, like a roller coaster.

Previous episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”
Next episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel … angst.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Larry Niven, Ringworld series. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Arthur C. Clarke, “Rescue Party,” and “The Star.” Jerry Pournelle. Ursula K. LeGuin.
Films. Finch. Castaway. Solar Flare. Sunshine. Sharknado. The World’s End. Knowing. Apollo 19.
TV episodes, series. The Land of the Lost. Star Trek: The Animated Series. The Outer Limits. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Music. Nickel Creek, “The 21st of May.”
Ideas. Apocalyptic, hard sci fi. Solar decay/disaster. Disaster stories. The last night on Earth.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm & Whoa. Bills suggests it is a rising and falling Whoa, like a roller coaster.

Previous episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”
Next episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:54:47 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2424 Theme: It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel … angst.

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Larry Niven, Ringworld series. Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air.” Arthur C. Clarke, “Rescue Party,” and “The Star.” Jerry Pournelle. Ursula K. LeGuin.
Films. Finch. Castaway. Solar Flare. Sunshine. Sharknado. The World’s End. Knowing. Apollo 19.
TV episodes, series. The Land of the Lost. Star Trek: The Animated Series. The Outer Limits. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Music. Nickel Creek, “The 21st of May.”
Ideas. Apocalyptic, hard sci fi. Solar decay/disaster. Disaster stories. The last night on Earth.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it falls between Hmmm & Whoa. Bills suggests it is a rising and falling Whoa, like a roller coaster.

Previous episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”
Next episode: James Tiptree Jr., “The Last Flight of Dr. Ain”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Larry Niven, Inconstant Moon, apocalyptic sci-fi Yes Episode 23 - A Pail of Air (Fritz Lieber) 23 23 Episode 23 - A Pail of Air (Fritz Lieber) full 2e5c6e09-b220-42bd-806c-ace22f85b9a4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9159bc07 Theme: I can see my breath. I can scoop mine with a bucket. Now that’s COLD!

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Fritz Lieber, Newhon series. James M. Ward & Rob Kuntz, Deities & Demigods (TSR, AD&D). Stephen King, “The Jaunt.” Jerome Bixby, The Holes Around Mars. Hal Clement, Mission of Gravity. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.”
Films. Snowpiercer. The Day After Tomorrow. The Colony. Mad Max.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Surviving the apocalypse in a blanket fort. Did they have duct tape in 1951? The Earth was pulled away from the Sun. Not all science fiction stands up to scientific scrutiny. Many early sci fi stories are built around pseudoscience. Science feels more like magic in some of those stories. Sci fi inspired fantasy authors to have laws of magic. So, Lieber gets some science wrong. “Fire and pure oxygen don’t play real well together.” Sometimes sci fi just constitutes a good yarn. The “Life is good” postulate in sci fi … there is always hope. Pousse cafe, layered digestif - recipe at <Epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/the-pousse-cafe-no-1-51167400>. This is an early post-apocalyptic sci fi story. Oddly optimistic. Extremely cold realms have come to equate with space. alien landscapes, and post-apocalyptic lit. Nuclear winter. Climate change. Rising temperatures … we need more sci fi stories about blazing heat. Assless leather chaps are never a good fashion choice. TBD is key to surviving an apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … none of these apply well to “A Pail of Air.” It is less science fiction than fictional science. Bill says it is a head scratcher. Worth reading, but not great science.

Previous episode: R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind”
Next episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: I can see my breath. I can scoop mine with a bucket. Now that’s COLD!

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Fritz Lieber, Newhon series. James M. Ward & Rob Kuntz, Deities & Demigods (TSR, AD&D). Stephen King, “The Jaunt.” Jerome Bixby, The Holes Around Mars. Hal Clement, Mission of Gravity. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.”
Films. Snowpiercer. The Day After Tomorrow. The Colony. Mad Max.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Surviving the apocalypse in a blanket fort. Did they have duct tape in 1951? The Earth was pulled away from the Sun. Not all science fiction stands up to scientific scrutiny. Many early sci fi stories are built around pseudoscience. Science feels more like magic in some of those stories. Sci fi inspired fantasy authors to have laws of magic. So, Lieber gets some science wrong. “Fire and pure oxygen don’t play real well together.” Sometimes sci fi just constitutes a good yarn. The “Life is good” postulate in sci fi … there is always hope. Pousse cafe, layered digestif - recipe at <Epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/the-pousse-cafe-no-1-51167400>. This is an early post-apocalyptic sci fi story. Oddly optimistic. Extremely cold realms have come to equate with space. alien landscapes, and post-apocalyptic lit. Nuclear winter. Climate change. Rising temperatures … we need more sci fi stories about blazing heat. Assless leather chaps are never a good fashion choice. TBD is key to surviving an apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … none of these apply well to “A Pail of Air.” It is less science fiction than fictional science. Bill says it is a head scratcher. Worth reading, but not great science.

Previous episode: R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind”
Next episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2023 17:57:33 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2173 Theme: I can see my breath. I can scoop mine with a bucket. Now that’s COLD!

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Fritz Lieber, Newhon series. James M. Ward & Rob Kuntz, Deities & Demigods (TSR, AD&D). Stephen King, “The Jaunt.” Jerome Bixby, The Holes Around Mars. Hal Clement, Mission of Gravity. Tom Godwin, “The Cold Equations.”
Films. Snowpiercer. The Day After Tomorrow. The Colony. Mad Max.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Surviving the apocalypse in a blanket fort. Did they have duct tape in 1951? The Earth was pulled away from the Sun. Not all science fiction stands up to scientific scrutiny. Many early sci fi stories are built around pseudoscience. Science feels more like magic in some of those stories. Sci fi inspired fantasy authors to have laws of magic. So, Lieber gets some science wrong. “Fire and pure oxygen don’t play real well together.” Sometimes sci fi just constitutes a good yarn. The “Life is good” postulate in sci fi … there is always hope. Pousse cafe, layered digestif - recipe at <Epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/the-pousse-cafe-no-1-51167400>. This is an early post-apocalyptic sci fi story. Oddly optimistic. Extremely cold realms have come to equate with space. alien landscapes, and post-apocalyptic lit. Nuclear winter. Climate change. Rising temperatures … we need more sci fi stories about blazing heat. Assless leather chaps are never a good fashion choice. TBD is key to surviving an apocalypse.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says … none of these apply well to “A Pail of Air.” It is less science fiction than fictional science. Bill says it is a head scratcher. Worth reading, but not great science.

Previous episode: R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind”
Next episode: Larry Niven, “Inconstant Moon”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fritz Lieber, A Pail of Air, post-apocalyptic sci fi Yes Episode 22 - Encased in Ancient Rind (R.A. Lafferty) 22 22 Episode 22 - Encased in Ancient Rind (R.A. Lafferty) full f5ef47bd-b9be-4690-8ad7-bd5dee9941c6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/374e0b16 Theme: Does more life bring greater wisdom?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Neil Gaiman, Sandman series. Phillip K. Dick. Samuel R. Delaney & Marilyn Hacker, Quark series. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. Stephen R. Donaldson, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament.” Clifford Simak, “Desertion.” J.G. Ballard, “Voices of Time.” Jason Key. R.A. Lafferty, Not to Mention Camels. Jonathan Strahan, The Best of R.A. Lafferty.
Films. The Day After Tomorrow.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Evolution & adaptation of species. Free speech, knowledge, and oppression. Social & intellectual regression.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says he began in a state of WTF, but that fades to Hmmm on further reading. Lafferty hits you between the ears. “Ancient Rind” is strategically weird. Dan followed a similar path. 

Previous episode: Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead,” Kurt Vonnegut, “2BR02B”
Next episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Theme: Does more life bring greater wisdom?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Neil Gaiman, Sandman series. Phillip K. Dick. Samuel R. Delaney & Marilyn Hacker, Quark series. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. Stephen R. Donaldson, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament.” Clifford Simak, “Desertion.” J.G. Ballard, “Voices of Time.” Jason Key. R.A. Lafferty, Not to Mention Camels. Jonathan Strahan, The Best of R.A. Lafferty.
Films. The Day After Tomorrow.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Evolution & adaptation of species. Free speech, knowledge, and oppression. Social & intellectual regression.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says he began in a state of WTF, but that fades to Hmmm on further reading. Lafferty hits you between the ears. “Ancient Rind” is strategically weird. Dan followed a similar path. 

Previous episode: Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead,” Kurt Vonnegut, “2BR02B”
Next episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:03:54 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2459 Theme: Does more life bring greater wisdom?

Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Neil Gaiman, Sandman series. Phillip K. Dick. Samuel R. Delaney & Marilyn Hacker, Quark series. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. Stephen R. Donaldson, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament.” Clifford Simak, “Desertion.” J.G. Ballard, “Voices of Time.” Jason Key. R.A. Lafferty, Not to Mention Camels. Jonathan Strahan, The Best of R.A. Lafferty.
Films. The Day After Tomorrow.
TV episodes, series. None this time.
Ideas. Post-apocalyptic sci fi. Evolution & adaptation of species. Free speech, knowledge, and oppression. Social & intellectual regression.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says he began in a state of WTF, but that fades to Hmmm on further reading. Lafferty hits you between the ears. “Ancient Rind” is strategically weird. Dan followed a similar path. 

Previous episode: Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead,” Kurt Vonnegut, “2BR02B”
Next episode: Fritz Lieber, “A Pail of Air”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> R.A. Lafferty, Encased in Ancient Rind Yes Episode 21 - The Tunnel Ahead (Alice Glaser) & 2BR02B (Kurt Vonnegut) 21 21 Episode 21 - The Tunnel Ahead (Alice Glaser) & 2BR02B (Kurt Vonnegut) full e47450b9-0025-4bb8-ac33-3a4ac27be037 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ffbea8b3 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse 5. Paul Ehrlich, Population Bomb, Population Explosion. Stephen Emmott, Ten Billion. Dr. Danny Dorling, Population 10 Billion. Harry Harrison, Make Room, Make Room. John Brunner, Stand On Zanzibar. Isaac Asimov, Caves of Steel.
Films. The Tunnel. 2BR02B. What Happened to Monday? Soylent Green. Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: End Game. Inferno. Logan’s Run.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, “The Mark of Gideon.” Love, Death, & Robots, “The Swarm.” “The Parasite.”
Ideas. Over/population & post/apocalyptic sci fi. Social consequences of population explosion. Government strategies for population control.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. The scale is less applicable … a little hmmm, a little wtf.

Previous episode: Stephen King, “The Jaunt”
Next episode: R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse 5. Paul Ehrlich, Population Bomb, Population Explosion. Stephen Emmott, Ten Billion. Dr. Danny Dorling, Population 10 Billion. Harry Harrison, Make Room, Make Room. John Brunner, Stand On Zanzibar. Isaac Asimov, Caves of Steel.
Films. The Tunnel. 2BR02B. What Happened to Monday? Soylent Green. Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: End Game. Inferno. Logan’s Run.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, “The Mark of Gideon.” Love, Death, & Robots, “The Swarm.” “The Parasite.”
Ideas. Over/population & post/apocalyptic sci fi. Social consequences of population explosion. Government strategies for population control.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. The scale is less applicable … a little hmmm, a little wtf.

Previous episode: Stephen King, “The Jaunt”
Next episode: R.A. Lafferty, “Encased in Ancient Rind”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:44:08 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2800 If you can’t control yourselves, someone’s gonna have to do it for you If you can’t control yourselves, someone’s gonna have to do it for you Alice Glaser, Kurt Vonnegut, population control Yes Episode 20 - The Jaunt (Stephen King) 20 20 Episode 20 - The Jaunt (Stephen King) full e3c775bc-d4d7-462b-ae25-b722b7d051f0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1b23136a Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Alfred Bester, The Stars My Destination. Clive Barker, “Hellraiser.” Dan Simmons, Hyperion. Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time series. Fred T. Jane, To Venus in Five Seconds.
Films. The Langoliers. Back to the Future. Galaxy Quest. Stargate. Contact. The Fly (both versions).
TV episodes, series. Star Trek.
Ideas. Teleportation v. matter transportation. Scientists / inventors in sci fi. Physical v. psychological trauma.  Psychological effects of travel through time & space.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill - A smidge of hmmm, and a bit of whoa, and a bit of wtf. But it does not register big on any of them. Dan says … the little flaws take a bit away

Previous episode: Dean Koontz, “Altarboy”
Next episode: Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead,” Kurt Vonnegut, “2BR02B”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Alfred Bester, The Stars My Destination. Clive Barker, “Hellraiser.” Dan Simmons, Hyperion. Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time series. Fred T. Jane, To Venus in Five Seconds.
Films. The Langoliers. Back to the Future. Galaxy Quest. Stargate. Contact. The Fly (both versions).
TV episodes, series. Star Trek.
Ideas. Teleportation v. matter transportation. Scientists / inventors in sci fi. Physical v. psychological trauma.  Psychological effects of travel through time & space.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill - A smidge of hmmm, and a bit of whoa, and a bit of wtf. But it does not register big on any of them. Dan says … the little flaws take a bit away

Previous episode: Dean Koontz, “Altarboy”
Next episode: Alice Glaser, “The Tunnel Ahead,” Kurt Vonnegut, “2BR02B”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Sat, 17 Sep 2022 16:48:38 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2059 Don't hold your breath Don't hold your breath Stephen King, teleportation, matter transfer Yes Episode 19 - Altar Boy (Dean Koontz) 19 19 Episode 19 - Altar Boy (Dean Koontz) full 016b92f2-6a10-47e0-bc37-d156dde70871 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f4ba4098 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Dean Koontz, Star Quest, Odd Thomas series. Harlan Ellison. Dean Koontz, Midnight. Harry Harrison, Soylent Green. Aldous Huxley, Brave New World. John W. Campbell, “Who Goes There?”
Films. Odd Thomas. Logan’s Run. Star Wars.
TV episodes, series. Quantum Leap. Stargate. Star Trek. Dr. Who. 
Ideas. Government by consensus. The soul as the driver for identity. Fear of dissent leads to compliant citizenry. Time travel through mental discipline. Government = control. Mind control and mental discipline.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill began all-in on WTF, but softened his read to include a little bit of hmmm upon revisiting the story. Dan agrees, but adds in a whoa factor. 

Previous episode: James Causey, “Inferiority”
Next episode: Stephen King, “The Jaunt”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Dean Koontz, Star Quest, Odd Thomas series. Harlan Ellison. Dean Koontz, Midnight. Harry Harrison, Soylent Green. Aldous Huxley, Brave New World. John W. Campbell, “Who Goes There?”
Films. Odd Thomas. Logan’s Run. Star Wars.
TV episodes, series. Quantum Leap. Stargate. Star Trek. Dr. Who. 
Ideas. Government by consensus. The soul as the driver for identity. Fear of dissent leads to compliant citizenry. Time travel through mental discipline. Government = control. Mind control and mental discipline.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill began all-in on WTF, but softened his read to include a little bit of hmmm upon revisiting the story. Dan agrees, but adds in a whoa factor. 

Previous episode: James Causey, “Inferiority”
Next episode: Stephen King, “The Jaunt”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 06 Sep 2022 09:38:02 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2301 Vote or die. Or, vote AND die. You pick. Vote or die. Or, vote AND die. You pick. Dean Koontz, Altarboy, scifi and horror, consensus as control Yes Episode 18 - Inferiority (James Causey) 18 18 Episode 18 - Inferiority (James Causey) full 56318c8e-9656-40b7-8000-e35028fb92d7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bd757cd4 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Frederic Brown, “Arena.” Flash Gordon series. Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter/Barsoom series. Cyril Kornbluth, “The Marching Morons.”
Films. Independence Day. Battlefield Earth. Signs. War of the Worlds.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek.
Ideas. Cultural accomplishment & envy. Militant v. peaceful values - which is greater? Barbarism in sci fi. Boxing is the celebration of brutality. Human ingenuity. Sci fi uses cultural differences to teach us something about ourselves.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan starts with hmmm, turns to whoa, and ends in WTF. Bill says hmmm to whoa. 

Previous episode: Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament”
Next episode: Dean Koontz, “Altar Boy”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Frederic Brown, “Arena.” Flash Gordon series. Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter/Barsoom series. Cyril Kornbluth, “The Marching Morons.”
Films. Independence Day. Battlefield Earth. Signs. War of the Worlds.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek.
Ideas. Cultural accomplishment & envy. Militant v. peaceful values - which is greater? Barbarism in sci fi. Boxing is the celebration of brutality. Human ingenuity. Sci fi uses cultural differences to teach us something about ourselves.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan starts with hmmm, turns to whoa, and ends in WTF. Bill says hmmm to whoa. 

Previous episode: Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament”
Next episode: Dean Koontz, “Altar Boy”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:44:04 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 1830 Mars needs artists Mars needs artists James Causey, Inferiority, Cultural envy Yes Episode 17 - Old Testament (Jerome Bixby) 17 17 Episode 17 - Old Testament (Jerome Bixby) full 61ce20bb-9b99-496f-8979-24ae0e00dbd6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/48aeef3a Episode Connections
Authors, stories. The Bible, and other spiritual texts. Olaf Stapledon, Star Maker. Erich von Daniken, Chariots of the Gods. Robin Hood stories. King Arthur stories. Jack Williamson. Robert Heinlein, “They.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Films. The Last Man on Earth. Stargate. Galaxy Quest. Lost in Space. Men in Black.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Twilight Zone. The Incredible Hulk. Stargate series.
Ideas. Family space exploration. Gender equality and sci fi. Nonintervention mandates in sci fi stories. Abuses of power and position. Transformative events & moral evolution. The Prime Directive, aka the Alien Noninterference Directive. Origin tales for myths & legends.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says mostly Hmmmm. Dan presents his case for Whoa.

Previous episode: C.J. Cherryh, “Pots”
Next episode: James Causey, “Inferiority”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. The Bible, and other spiritual texts. Olaf Stapledon, Star Maker. Erich von Daniken, Chariots of the Gods. Robin Hood stories. King Arthur stories. Jack Williamson. Robert Heinlein, “They.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Films. The Last Man on Earth. Stargate. Galaxy Quest. Lost in Space. Men in Black.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Twilight Zone. The Incredible Hulk. Stargate series.
Ideas. Family space exploration. Gender equality and sci fi. Nonintervention mandates in sci fi stories. Abuses of power and position. Transformative events & moral evolution. The Prime Directive, aka the Alien Noninterference Directive. Origin tales for myths & legends.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says mostly Hmmmm. Dan presents his case for Whoa.

Previous episode: C.J. Cherryh, “Pots”
Next episode: James Causey, “Inferiority”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 02 Aug 2022 16:11:50 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2235 What if God was one of us? What if God was one of us? Jerome Bixby, Old Testament, Prime directive Yes Episode 16 - Pots (C.J. Cherryh) 16 16 Episode 16 - Pots (C.J. Cherryh) full 6e0dd8ee-fb09-424c-9136-ecda1f104f15 https://share.transistor.fm/s/91e1c352 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Isaac Asimov, Foundation series. Upton Sinclair, “I, Candidate for Governor: And How I Got Licked.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers’s Guide to the Galaxy series. Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves.”
Films. Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 
TV episodes, series. Foundation. 
Ideas. Grand narratives. Cultural identity. The politics of archeology. The veneration of history. Archeological evidence v. accepted narrative. Information is power. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says mostly Hmmm. Dan says yep. 

Previous episode: Cyril Kornbluth, “Marching Morons”
Next episode: Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Isaac Asimov, Foundation series. Upton Sinclair, “I, Candidate for Governor: And How I Got Licked.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers’s Guide to the Galaxy series. Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves.”
Films. Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 
TV episodes, series. Foundation. 
Ideas. Grand narratives. Cultural identity. The politics of archeology. The veneration of history. Archeological evidence v. accepted narrative. Information is power. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says mostly Hmmm. Dan says yep. 

Previous episode: Cyril Kornbluth, “Marching Morons”
Next episode: Jerome Bixby, “Old Testament”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fri, 08 Jul 2022 12:09:34 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2561 Once upon a time, in a galaxy not so far away … Once upon a time, in a galaxy not so far away … Pots short story, C.J. Cherryh, grand narratives Yes Episode 15 - The Marching Morons (Cyril Kornbluth) 15 15 Episode 15 - The Marching Morons (Cyril Kornbluth) full 056b7a92-fd0e-4ef3-89ae-dd60c6c5b14f https://share.transistor.fm/s/c3aebf21 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Cyril Kornbluth, “Little Black Bag.” William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic.” Paul Erlich, The Population Bomb and The Population Explosion. Douglas Adams Hitchiker’s Guide series.
Films. Idiocracy. Water World. Mad Max.
Ideas. Social stratification based on intellect and education. Suspended animation. Temporal and cultural displacement. Overpopulation. Evolution v. progress. The idea of meritocracy. The Flynn Effect - connections between intelligence and progress. Propaganda & manipulation.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Combo special here … we need a Venn diagram. A little bit of all three here.

Previous episode: Poul Andersen, “Sam Hall”
Next episode: C.J. Cherryh, “Pots”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Cyril Kornbluth, “Little Black Bag.” William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic.” Paul Erlich, The Population Bomb and The Population Explosion. Douglas Adams Hitchiker’s Guide series.
Films. Idiocracy. Water World. Mad Max.
Ideas. Social stratification based on intellect and education. Suspended animation. Temporal and cultural displacement. Overpopulation. Evolution v. progress. The idea of meritocracy. The Flynn Effect - connections between intelligence and progress. Propaganda & manipulation.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Combo special here … we need a Venn diagram. A little bit of all three here.

Previous episode: Poul Andersen, “Sam Hall”
Next episode: C.J. Cherryh, “Pots”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:23:18 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2881 Someone forgot to change the filter in the gene pool Someone forgot to change the filter in the gene pool Cyril Kornbluth, Marching Morons, classic sci fi, idiocracy Yes Episode 14 - Sam Hall (Poul Anderson) 14 14 Episode 14 - Sam Hall (Poul Anderson) full 418de737-2794-4bd0-bc69-6f83e45ebde8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/63dbbf20 Episode Connections
Films. Raiders of the Lost Ark. No Way Out. Enemy of the State. Minority Report. Running Man. Gattaca.
TV episodes, series. X-Files.
Music. Johnny Cash, “Sam Hall.” 
Ideas. Authoritarian societies. Data-driven society. Control of data, control of information. Mythology of the centralized information state and the technical priesthood.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says hmmm + whoa. Dan say whoa + hmmm. Sadly, it is too plausible for WTF.

Previous episode: J.G. Ballard, “The Voices of Time”
Next episode:  Cyril Cornbluth, “The Marching Morons”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Films. Raiders of the Lost Ark. No Way Out. Enemy of the State. Minority Report. Running Man. Gattaca.
TV episodes, series. X-Files.
Music. Johnny Cash, “Sam Hall.” 
Ideas. Authoritarian societies. Data-driven society. Control of data, control of information. Mythology of the centralized information state and the technical priesthood.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says hmmm + whoa. Dan say whoa + hmmm. Sadly, it is too plausible for WTF.

Previous episode: J.G. Ballard, “The Voices of Time”
Next episode:  Cyril Cornbluth, “The Marching Morons”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 31 May 2022 16:13:06 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2727 Information IS power Information IS power Poul Andersen, Sam Hall, classic scifi, information society, rebellion against government Yes Episode 13 - The Voices of Time (J.G. Ballard) 13 13 Episode 13 - The Voices of Time (J.G. Ballard) full 4bac426b-9c06-456e-9aa8-4a6fcceefeca https://share.transistor.fm/s/1cc0c213 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic.” Arnold J. Toynbee, A Study of History. Oswald Spengler, The Decline of the West. Murray Leinster, “First Contact.” Sigmund Freud. Carl Jung. Erich von Daniken.
Films. Sphere. Inner Space. Godzilla series. Gamera series. The Creature From the Black Lagoon.
TV episodes, series. na.
Ideas. New Wave sci fi. Silent gene pairs. Could humans be in an evolutionary decline? The final countdown. Perceptions of time. Asks the question … what if things were different?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. WTF? no question. Elements of whoa and hmmm. But primarily a mindbender.

Previous episode: Murray Leinster, “First Contact”
Next episode:  Poul Anderson, “Sam Hall”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic.” Arnold J. Toynbee, A Study of History. Oswald Spengler, The Decline of the West. Murray Leinster, “First Contact.” Sigmund Freud. Carl Jung. Erich von Daniken.
Films. Sphere. Inner Space. Godzilla series. Gamera series. The Creature From the Black Lagoon.
TV episodes, series. na.
Ideas. New Wave sci fi. Silent gene pairs. Could humans be in an evolutionary decline? The final countdown. Perceptions of time. Asks the question … what if things were different?
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. WTF? no question. Elements of whoa and hmmm. But primarily a mindbender.

Previous episode: Murray Leinster, “First Contact”
Next episode:  Poul Anderson, “Sam Hall”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Sat, 28 May 2022 22:53:36 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2256 Could it be … the final countdown? Could it be … the final countdown? J.G. Ballard, Voices of Time, New Wave sci fi, silent genes, entropy Yes Episode 12 - First Contact (Murray Leinster) 12 12 Episode 12 - First Contact (Murray Leinster) full 78932045-dc31-4973-adcb-32e25ae4ff14 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dd13aa22 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Buck Rogers stories. Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide series.
Films. Star Wars films. Stargate. Contact. Star Trek: First Contact.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Star Trek: Enterprise. George Carlin, “Seven Dirty Words.”
Ideas. First contact with an alien race. Protocols for diplomacy & war. Male bonding & inappropriate humor. The idea of a universal translator. Humor and culture. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says FC evokes mostly a hmmm from him. Straight up hmmm, agrees Bill.

Previous episode: John W. Campbell, “Who Goes There?”
Next episode:  J.G. Ballard, “The Voices of Time”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Buck Rogers stories. Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide series.
Films. Star Wars films. Stargate. Contact. Star Trek: First Contact.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Star Trek: Enterprise. George Carlin, “Seven Dirty Words.”
Ideas. First contact with an alien race. Protocols for diplomacy & war. Male bonding & inappropriate humor. The idea of a universal translator. Humor and culture. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says FC evokes mostly a hmmm from him. Straight up hmmm, agrees Bill.

Previous episode: John W. Campbell, “Who Goes There?”
Next episode:  J.G. Ballard, “The Voices of Time”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Thu, 26 May 2022 17:24:12 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2172 There once was a human from Earth/ Who saved everybody through mirth There once was a human from Earth/ Who saved everybody through mirth Murray Leinster, First Contact, alien encounters, humor in sci fi, classic sci fi Yes Episode 11 - Who Goes There? (John W. Campbell) 11 11 Episode 11 - Who Goes There? (John W. Campbell) full d2ab83e0-1ff3-4203-bf7e-6539ec649739 https://share.transistor.fm/s/acdc264f Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Astounding Science Fiction. Kenneth Robeson, Doc Savage series. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” H.P. Lovecraft, “At the Mountains of Madness.” William Golding, Lord of the Flies.
Films. The Thing from Another World. The Thing (1982). The Thing (2011). MovieTone news reels. Alien series. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Alien v. Predator. Rare Exports. Horror Express. It. Revenge of the Nerds. The World’s End. Signs.
TV episodes, series. Big Brother.
Ideas. Antarctic expeditions and aliens. What dangers do alien lifeforms pose to humans? How do people contend with scientific conundrums when they are isolated from peers? Pop culture & alien invasion.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says WTF. Dan says yes! but adds in a little bit of whoa to go with it.

Previous episode: Philip K. Dick, “War Veteran”
Next episode:  Murray Leinster, “First Contact”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Astounding Science Fiction. Kenneth Robeson, Doc Savage series. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” H.P. Lovecraft, “At the Mountains of Madness.” William Golding, Lord of the Flies.
Films. The Thing from Another World. The Thing (1982). The Thing (2011). MovieTone news reels. Alien series. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Alien v. Predator. Rare Exports. Horror Express. It. Revenge of the Nerds. The World’s End. Signs.
TV episodes, series. Big Brother.
Ideas. Antarctic expeditions and aliens. What dangers do alien lifeforms pose to humans? How do people contend with scientific conundrums when they are isolated from peers? Pop culture & alien invasion.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Bill says WTF. Dan says yes! but adds in a little bit of whoa to go with it.

Previous episode: Philip K. Dick, “War Veteran”
Next episode:  Murray Leinster, “First Contact”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Wed, 25 May 2022 11:42:47 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2691 Who invited that thing? Oh yeah, we did. Who invited that thing? Oh yeah, we did. John Campbell, The Thing, alien invaders, shape-changing aliens, classic sci fi Yes Episode 10 - War Veteran (Philip K. Dick) 10 10 Episode 10 - War Veteran (Philip K. Dick) full 8ad2d238-ec82-4f5b-ae5f-108a6d3a0a04 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0af630ab Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Philip K. Dick “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Asimov, “The Dead Past.”
Films. Blade Runner. Impostor. Minority Report. The Rocketeer. Starship Trooper.
TV episodes, series. The Man in the High Castle.
Ideas. Classic sci fi visions of Mars and Venus. Billionaires who meddle in politics. Time travel. Interracial prejudice. War, tribalism, nationalism, patriotism. Misinformation steers populations. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it begins a whoa and ends a hmmm. Bill agrees it is definitely an in-betweener.

Previous episode: Robert Heinlein , “They”
Next episode:  John Campbell, “Who Goes There?”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Philip K. Dick “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Asimov, “The Dead Past.”
Films. Blade Runner. Impostor. Minority Report. The Rocketeer. Starship Trooper.
TV episodes, series. The Man in the High Castle.
Ideas. Classic sci fi visions of Mars and Venus. Billionaires who meddle in politics. Time travel. Interracial prejudice. War, tribalism, nationalism, patriotism. Misinformation steers populations. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says it begins a whoa and ends a hmmm. Bill agrees it is definitely an in-betweener.

Previous episode: Robert Heinlein , “They”
Next episode:  John Campbell, “Who Goes There?”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2021 21:57:15 -0500 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2211 The road to war is paved with intrigue The road to war is paved with intrigue Philip K Dick, PKD, War Veteran Yes Episode 9 - They (Robert Heinlein) 9 9 Episode 9 - They (Robert Heinlein) full 099fd92d-051f-4aa4-94e3-523ceae704be https://share.transistor.fm/s/057903e0 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Robert Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers. Philip K. Dick, “Time Out of Joint.”
Films. Them. Sunshine. The Matrix. The Truman Show. Memento. Shutter Island. 12 Monkeys. Fight Club. Contact. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe. Darkstar.
TV episodes, series. Lost. Firefly. Game of Thrones. Daredevil. Veronica Mars. Wayward Pines. Stargate Universe. Wolf Lake. Dollhouse. Defiance. Revolution. Twin Peaks. The X-Files. Terra Nova. Dexter. The 4400. Ascension. Sherlock.
Ideas. Stories with unsatisfactory endings. Constructed universes. The world is illogical … it must be a lie. Virtual realities.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF.  Dan says WTF. Bill says there was an attempt at Hmmm.

Previous episode: Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves”
Next episode:  Philip K. Dick, “War Veteran”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Robert Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers. Philip K. Dick, “Time Out of Joint.”
Films. Them. Sunshine. The Matrix. The Truman Show. Memento. Shutter Island. 12 Monkeys. Fight Club. Contact. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe. Darkstar.
TV episodes, series. Lost. Firefly. Game of Thrones. Daredevil. Veronica Mars. Wayward Pines. Stargate Universe. Wolf Lake. Dollhouse. Defiance. Revolution. Twin Peaks. The X-Files. Terra Nova. Dexter. The 4400. Ascension. Sherlock.
Ideas. Stories with unsatisfactory endings. Constructed universes. The world is illogical … it must be a lie. Virtual realities.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF.  Dan says WTF. Bill says there was an attempt at Hmmm.

Previous episode: Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves”
Next episode:  Philip K. Dick, “War Veteran”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Thu, 28 Oct 2021 10:24:35 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2223 The world is an idiot's dream The world is an idiot's dream Robert Heinlein, They, virtual reality, series that end badly Yes Episode 8 - Sampler Platter from Mimsy Were the Borogoves Episode 8 - Sampler Platter from Mimsy Were the Borogoves trailer 421599c4-a220-4bc6-81d3-dbeac8f1fe9e https://share.transistor.fm/s/a5d86011 Mon, 11 Oct 2021 22:55:47 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 327 This 5 minute teaser offers a sampler platter of moments from our discussion of Mimsy. Try it out for a little taste of TBD with Bill and Dan. This 5 minute teaser offers a sampler platter of moments from our discussion of Mimsy. Try it out for a little taste of TBD with Bill and Dan. classic scifi, short stories, speculative fiction Yes Episode 8 - Mimsy Were the Borogoves (Lewis Padgett) 8 8 Episode 8 - Mimsy Were the Borogoves (Lewis Padgett) full c3e0d399-f1db-44f1-8a8c-3373ecb3e6c6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/46767291 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass. Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion.” Stephen King. Ray Bradbury. CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, That Hideous Strength, Out of a Silent Planet, Perelandra. Madeline L’Engle, A Wrinkle In Time, The Wind in the Door. Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood’s End.
Films. Back to the Future. The Last Mimsy.
TV episodes, series. None today.
Ideas. Lewis Padgett is a pseudonym for Henry Kuttner and Catherine L. Moore. One of the top 15 sci-fi short stories of all time. Time travel. Exploratory learning. Adult disconnection. Child psychology … “All children are mad, you know.” Developmental psychology. What do we mean by alien? Pantropy v. evolution. Intellectual evolution v. physical evolution. Different ways of knowing alter our perspective. Children in sci-fi. Educational psychology. Gamification. Evolution in real time.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Whoa. Bill adds a generous smidge of Hmmm.

Previous episode: William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic”
Next episode: Robert Heinlein , “They”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass. Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion.” Stephen King. Ray Bradbury. CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, That Hideous Strength, Out of a Silent Planet, Perelandra. Madeline L’Engle, A Wrinkle In Time, The Wind in the Door. Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood’s End.
Films. Back to the Future. The Last Mimsy.
TV episodes, series. None today.
Ideas. Lewis Padgett is a pseudonym for Henry Kuttner and Catherine L. Moore. One of the top 15 sci-fi short stories of all time. Time travel. Exploratory learning. Adult disconnection. Child psychology … “All children are mad, you know.” Developmental psychology. What do we mean by alien? Pantropy v. evolution. Intellectual evolution v. physical evolution. Different ways of knowing alter our perspective. Children in sci-fi. Educational psychology. Gamification. Evolution in real time.
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says Whoa. Bill adds a generous smidge of Hmmm.

Previous episode: William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic”
Next episode: Robert Heinlein , “They”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 11 Oct 2021 14:39:22 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2665 We have met the aliens, and they are … kids We have met the aliens, and they are … kids Lewis Padgett, Mimsy Were the Borogoves, time travel, aliens Yes Episode 7 - Johnny Mnemonic (William Gibson) 7 7 Episode 7 - Johnny Mnemonic (William Gibson) full 8eeda2e5-7604-422a-a3c6-794c5639d5c6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/933a1b58 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Bruce Sterling. Harlan Ellison. J.G. Ballard. Phillip K. Dick. Martin Caiden, Cyborg. Gordon R. Dickson, The Forever Man. Frederick Pohl, Man Plus. William Gibson, “Burning Chrome.” Dick Hebdige, Punk: The Subculture of Style. Clifford D. Symak, “Desertion.”
Films. Johnny Mnemonic. Blade Runner.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Battlestar Galactica. 6 Million Dollar Man.
Ideas. Cyberpunk … hyperstimulation & sensory overload. Tech noir. Cyberpunk as sc-fi counterculture. Moving away from sci-fi’s golden age. Atmospheric tech. Corporate espionage. Socio-economic, socio-technical layers of society. Hightechs v. Lowtechs. Cyborgs in cyberpunk v. cyborgs in classic sci-fi. The surveillance society. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says its a Whoa-Hmmm-WTF tapestry. Bill says we need a Venn diagram.


Previous episode: Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion”
Next episode: Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves” 

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Bruce Sterling. Harlan Ellison. J.G. Ballard. Phillip K. Dick. Martin Caiden, Cyborg. Gordon R. Dickson, The Forever Man. Frederick Pohl, Man Plus. William Gibson, “Burning Chrome.” Dick Hebdige, Punk: The Subculture of Style. Clifford D. Symak, “Desertion.”
Films. Johnny Mnemonic. Blade Runner.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Battlestar Galactica. 6 Million Dollar Man.
Ideas. Cyberpunk … hyperstimulation & sensory overload. Tech noir. Cyberpunk as sc-fi counterculture. Moving away from sci-fi’s golden age. Atmospheric tech. Corporate espionage. Socio-economic, socio-technical layers of society. Hightechs v. Lowtechs. Cyborgs in cyberpunk v. cyborgs in classic sci-fi. The surveillance society. 
Whoa - Hmmm - WTF. Dan says its a Whoa-Hmmm-WTF tapestry. Bill says we need a Venn diagram.


Previous episode: Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion”
Next episode: Lewis Padgett, “Mimsy Were the Borogoves” 

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Tue, 21 Sep 2021 21:21:32 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2504 Welcome to CyberMart Welcome to CyberMart Johnny Mnemonic, William Gibson, cyberpunk Yes Episode 6 - Desertion (Clifford Simak) 6 6 Episode 6 - Desertion (Clifford Simak) full 5f744011-f3e5-4b5e-908c-61b18cc390b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/718059ba Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat.” Damon Knight, “To Serve Man.” Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.” Anne McCaffrey,’s Ship series. Spider Man. Fantastic Four. Wes Jackson. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.” Arthur C. Clarke, "The Sentinel.” Iron Man.
Films. The Fly (1986). Avatar.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Stargate.
Ideas. Adaptation of or to alien environments ... pantropy. What is the cost of scientific glory? The stakes of space exploration. The burden of leadership. Physical changes alter perception and perspective. How does human reality compare to other realities? Handwavium.
Hmmm - Whoa - WTF. A new feature! High on the Hmmm scale. A little bit of Whoa!

Previous episode: Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat,” and Damon Knight, “To Serve Man” 
Next episode: William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat.” Damon Knight, “To Serve Man.” Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.” Anne McCaffrey,’s Ship series. Spider Man. Fantastic Four. Wes Jackson. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.” Arthur C. Clarke, "The Sentinel.” Iron Man.
Films. The Fly (1986). Avatar.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Stargate.
Ideas. Adaptation of or to alien environments ... pantropy. What is the cost of scientific glory? The stakes of space exploration. The burden of leadership. Physical changes alter perception and perspective. How does human reality compare to other realities? Handwavium.
Hmmm - Whoa - WTF. A new feature! High on the Hmmm scale. A little bit of Whoa!

Previous episode: Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat,” and Damon Knight, “To Serve Man” 
Next episode: William Gibson, “Johnny Mnemonic”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:57:24 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2778 We don’t understand what we don’t understand. We don’t understand what we don’t understand. pantropy, clifford d simak Yes Episode 5 - They’re Made Out of Meat (Terry Bisson) & To Serve Man (Damon Knight) 5 5 Episode 5 - They’re Made Out of Meat (Terry Bisson) & To Serve Man (Damon Knight) full 50c2a50a-cc4c-4e6f-a9fa-97a5e2e44ed5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/024fdc6a Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Arther C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Damon Knight, “Time Enough.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.” Terry Pratchett. Arthur C. Clarke, Ender’s Game.
Films. Spaceballs. Galaxy Quest. Independence Day.
TV episodes, series. The Twilight Zone. Mork and Mindy. Quark. Star Trek.
Ideas. Humor in science fiction. Aliens among us. The search for intelligent life.  Carbon chauvinism. Alien probes. Beware of aliens bearing gifts. Free-range humans. Humor in sci fi literature.   

Previous episode: Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream”
Next episode: Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Arther C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Damon Knight, “Time Enough.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.” Terry Pratchett. Arthur C. Clarke, Ender’s Game.
Films. Spaceballs. Galaxy Quest. Independence Day.
TV episodes, series. The Twilight Zone. Mork and Mindy. Quark. Star Trek.
Ideas. Humor in science fiction. Aliens among us. The search for intelligent life.  Carbon chauvinism. Alien probes. Beware of aliens bearing gifts. Free-range humans. Humor in sci fi literature.   

Previous episode: Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream”
Next episode: Clifford D. Simak, “Desertion”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2021 21:17:44 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2120 Who wants to meet meat? Who wants to meet meat? “They’re Made Out of Meat”, Terry Bisson, “To Serve Man”, Damon Knight No Episode 4 - I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream (Harlan Ellison) 4 4 Episode 4 - I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream (Harlan Ellison) full 58491dd5-4361-434f-a348-76432d834478 https://share.transistor.fm/s/55df7611 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Damon Knight. Ray Bradbury. Harlan Ellison, “Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman.” Dan Simmons, “Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams,” Hyperion Chronicles. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Fred Saberhagen, Berserker novels. Keith Laumer, Bolo series.
Films. Saw. Alien. Terminator.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, the Next Generation. Battlestar Galactica series. Flash Gordon.
Ideas. Sci fi & psychological horror. What does it mean to be human? Sentient machines. Military super-computers. Post-apocalyptic futures. Body horror. 

Previous episode: Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands”
Next episode: Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat,” and Damon Knight, “To Serve Man”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Damon Knight. Ray Bradbury. Harlan Ellison, “Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman.” Dan Simmons, “Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams,” Hyperion Chronicles. Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands.” Arthur C. Clarke, “The Sentinel.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Fred Saberhagen, Berserker novels. Keith Laumer, Bolo series.
Films. Saw. Alien. Terminator.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, the Next Generation. Battlestar Galactica series. Flash Gordon.
Ideas. Sci fi & psychological horror. What does it mean to be human? Sentient machines. Military super-computers. Post-apocalyptic futures. Body horror. 

Previous episode: Jack Williamson, “With Folded Hands”
Next episode: Terry Bisson, “They’re Made Out of Meat,” and Damon Knight, “To Serve Man”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Sat, 31 Jul 2021 17:48:54 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2321 It’s always darkest before the abyss. It’s always darkest before the abyss. "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream," Harlan Ellison, horror scifi, killer computers No Episode 3 - With Folded Hands (Jack Williamson) 3 3 Episode 3 - With Folded Hands (Jack Williamson) full 518c346c-0828-4fb2-a5f1-983731e2a9fe https://share.transistor.fm/s/cc261c6a Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Asimov, Robot stories.
Films. The Matrix. Jurassic Park.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, the Next Generation.
Ideas. Jack Williamson's sci-fi legacy. Robotic central intelligence. A life of leisure v. a life of work. What does it mean to be happy? Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. How do we define harm? Free will and choice. Artificial v. biological life.

Previous episode: Tom Godwin, "The Cold Equations"
Next episode: Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Asimov, Robot stories.
Films. The Matrix. Jurassic Park.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek, the Next Generation.
Ideas. Jack Williamson's sci-fi legacy. Robotic central intelligence. A life of leisure v. a life of work. What does it mean to be happy? Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. How do we define harm? Free will and choice. Artificial v. biological life.

Previous episode: Tom Godwin, "The Cold Equations"
Next episode: Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 28 Jun 2021 16:06:57 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2231 We will make you happy, whether you like it or not. We will make you happy, whether you like it or not. "With Folded Hands", Jack Williamson, robots, prime directive No Episode 2 - The Cold Equations (Tom Godwin) 2 2 Episode 2 - The Cold Equations (Tom Godwin) full deb8282f-3230-4fe3-8878-5a6bf962bfa5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6f6ef12b Episode Connections

Films. 28 Days Later. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Fellowship of the Ring. Star Wars films. Stowaway. 

TV episodes, series. Star Trek (the original series). 

Ideas. Math-driven decision making & resource management. Artificially intelligent capitalism. Space stowaways. Challenges of life on the interstellar frontier. Forces of nature & laws of physics are equally ruthless. 


Previous episode: Isaac Asimov, "The Dead Past"

Next episode: Jack Williamson, "With Folded Hands" 

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections

Films. 28 Days Later. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Fellowship of the Ring. Star Wars films. Stowaway. 

TV episodes, series. Star Trek (the original series). 

Ideas. Math-driven decision making & resource management. Artificially intelligent capitalism. Space stowaways. Challenges of life on the interstellar frontier. Forces of nature & laws of physics are equally ruthless. 


Previous episode: Isaac Asimov, "The Dead Past"

Next episode: Jack Williamson, "With Folded Hands" 

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:10:23 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2643 The universe is a cold, unforgiving place. The universe is a cold, unforgiving place. The Cold Equations, Tom Godwin, utilitarian logic, life in space No Episode 1 - The Dead Past (Isaac Asimov) 1 1 Episode 1 - The Dead Past (Isaac Asimov) full e02a0b80-3d82-40ae-a67f-42371efb3f0d https://share.transistor.fm/s/e3f5cabe Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Ayn Rand. Despair.com.
Films. The Terminator. Timeline. Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Easy A. 1984. The Truman Show.
TV episodes, series. Dr Who. Continuum. Travelers. The Jetsons. Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Black Mirror.
Ideas. Implications of time peeking. Asimov the world builder. Tech writers as free agents. Bureaucracy, government deception. Obsession with memories, the past. Time, tech, and human motive. Government oppression v. intellectual anarchy. When does the past begin? Privacy and surveillance.  

Previous episode: Arthur C. Clarke, "The Sentinel"

Next episode: Tom Godwin, "The Cold Equations"


Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Ayn Rand. Despair.com.
Films. The Terminator. Timeline. Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Easy A. 1984. The Truman Show.
TV episodes, series. Dr Who. Continuum. Travelers. The Jetsons. Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Black Mirror.
Ideas. Implications of time peeking. Asimov the world builder. Tech writers as free agents. Bureaucracy, government deception. Obsession with memories, the past. Time, tech, and human motive. Government oppression v. intellectual anarchy. When does the past begin? Privacy and surveillance.  

Previous episode: Arthur C. Clarke, "The Sentinel"

Next episode: Tom Godwin, "The Cold Equations"


Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:10:15 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2851 Welcome to the fishbowl. Welcome to the fishbowl. Isaac Asimov, The Dead Past, time peeking, time travel No Pilot Episode - The Sentinel (Arthur C. Clarke) Pilot Episode - The Sentinel (Arthur C. Clarke) bonus a2df2774-ec53-4f43-8784-b04527b7da49 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b6e64624 Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Poul Anderson, High Crusade. Star Trek series. Isaac Asimov, Foundation series. C.S. Lewis Perelandra, Out of a Silent Planet, That Hideous Strength. H.G. Wells. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes stories. Arthur C. Clarke, Rendezvous with Rama, Rama 2. Claire Winger Harris, “The 16 Possible Science Fiction Plots.” H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds. Carl Sagan, Contact. Robert E. Heinlein, Starship Troopers.
Films. Star Wars. 2001 A Space Odyssey. The Planet of the Apes. The Blob. The War of the Worlds. Independence Day. Battlefield Earth. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Contact. The Arrival. Starship Troopers. Space Jam. Return to the Planet of the Apes. Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Battlestar Galactica. Buck Rogers. Space 1999. MST3K. V.
Ideas. Welcome to the podcast, where classic sci fi short stories are the topic of conversation. Space opera. Sci fi B-movies. The series will focus on the roots of modern sci fi. Characteristics of early sci fi. Sci fi plots. Lunar exploration. Epic time scales in sci fi. The aura of awe around atomic power. Might aliens be jealous of humans?

Next episode: Isaac Asimov, “The Dead Past”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Poul Anderson, High Crusade. Star Trek series. Isaac Asimov, Foundation series. C.S. Lewis Perelandra, Out of a Silent Planet, That Hideous Strength. H.G. Wells. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes stories. Arthur C. Clarke, Rendezvous with Rama, Rama 2. Claire Winger Harris, “The 16 Possible Science Fiction Plots.” H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds. Carl Sagan, Contact. Robert E. Heinlein, Starship Troopers.
Films. Star Wars. 2001 A Space Odyssey. The Planet of the Apes. The Blob. The War of the Worlds. Independence Day. Battlefield Earth. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Contact. The Arrival. Starship Troopers. Space Jam. Return to the Planet of the Apes. Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek. Battlestar Galactica. Buck Rogers. Space 1999. MST3K. V.
Ideas. Welcome to the podcast, where classic sci fi short stories are the topic of conversation. Space opera. Sci fi B-movies. The series will focus on the roots of modern sci fi. Characteristics of early sci fi. Sci fi plots. Lunar exploration. Epic time scales in sci fi. The aura of awe around atomic power. Might aliens be jealous of humans?

Next episode: Isaac Asimov, “The Dead Past”

Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Link: Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:10:03 -0400 Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm Bill Williamson, Dan Kamm 2796 Is there anybody out there? Is there anybody out there? Arthur C. Clarke, The Sentinel, alien life, alien encounters No