Feb 14, 2022
Hard sci-fi stories about the exploration of our solar system became more popular beginning in the 1990s. In this episode, we explore how these ideas rose to prominence and have developed over the years. Book recommendation: The Martian by Andy Weir.
The Mundane Manifesto by Geoff Ryman et al.
Kim Stanley Robinson on...
Jan 31, 2022
As Hollywood moved into the twenty-first century, it found a new formula for superhero stories that catapulted them to some of the most popular stories in sci-fi. In this episode, we explore the history of superheroes in film and how their modern mainstream popularity has transformed the genre.
Movie recommendation:
Jan 17, 2022
In the 1980s and '90s, blockbuster films became a staple of Hollywood and of science fiction, and their rise went hand in hand with the development of CGI technology. In this episode, we explore the ways CGI has contributed to sci-fi over the years.
Movie recommendation: Jurassic Park
Jan 3, 2022
Michael Crichton was a huge influence on science fiction in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly through the many movie adaptations of his work. In this episode, I given an overview of his writings and his work in Hollywood.
Book recommendation: Sphere
Luke McKinney on "The Malcolm Fallacy"
Other works discussed:
The...
Feb 1, 2021
In the 1950s and 60s, disaster and apocalyptic stories became prominent. However, the earliest ones could get pretty weird. In this episode, we take a look at the fantastic apocalypses that gave way to more realistic ones later on.
Book recommendation: The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.
Other books mentioned:
I
Am...