Dec 6, 2021
After cyberpunk had its day, a more mature, less countercultural successor to it emerged, known as postcyberpunk. In this episode, we explore what makes it distinctive and how it ties in with the ideas of transhumanism.
Book recommendation: Existence by David Brin.
Other books discussed:
Permutation
City by Greg...
Nov 22, 2021
Cyberpunk has produced many offshoots over the years as new authors have applied the style to other historical eras and new technologies. In this episode, we tour the wide spread of these diverse subgenres.
Book recommendations:
The
Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
The
Diamond Age by Neal...
Nov 8, 2021
Cyberpunk was the big new subgenre of sci-fi in the 80s--the combination of "lowlife and high-tech." In this episode, we explore the highlights of this subgenre.
Book recommendation: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Other works discussed:
Akira
Neuromancer by
William Gibson
The
Matrix
Altered
Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
Oct 25, 2021
Alternate histories, where events in the past unfolded differently, are a fairly new genre, but it's made large strides since it first became popular in the 80s. In this episode, we look at an overview of these works.
Book recommendation: The
Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal.
My companion blog post on The...
Oct 11, 2021
In this episode, I interview Annie Geever, the author of the Undead Age trilogy of zombie novels.
Annie's book recommendations:
Thirteen
or Black Man by Richard K. Morgan
Fallen
Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton
Sun of
Suns by Karl Schroeder