15 chapters across the catalog
Executive Producer Donations and Published Author Shoutouts
L.E. Hovdenes donated $333.77 to celebrate the publication of a spiritual science fiction book series, "The Universal Testaments." Other major donors include Jason Raddick from Philadelphia and "Crypto Granny" from Thailand, who contributed via Bitcoin. The hosts acknowledge these "Executive Producers" for their financial support of the independent broadcast.
The upcoming 20th Century Fox film "The Creator" is discussed as a continuation of the "AI will kill us" trope in cinema. This is compared to the 1970 science fiction thriller "Colossus: The Forbin Project," which features an American defense system becoming sentient and taking control.
The 1973 science fiction film *Soylent Green*, starring Charlton Heston, is noted for being set in the year 2022. The film depicts a dystopian New York City where infrastructure has collapsed and the population relies on synthetic food. Modern parallels are drawn to current issues in New York and the development of lab-grown "human cell culture" meat.
A 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone titled "The Midnight Sun" is used as a metaphor for modern climate change rhetoric. The episode depicts a world doomed by the Earth moving closer to the sun, only to reveal a twist where the Earth is actually freezing as it moves away.
John C. Dvorak shares a "fun fact" that the name "Taser" is an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle." The inventor, Jack Cover, named the device after his favorite childhood science fiction character, Tom Swift. Dvorak notes that he has read all the Tom Swift books, though he remains skeptical of some "reverse-engineered" etymologies.
Tributes are paid to science fiction author and technology columnist Jerry Pournelle, who passed away at age 84. Pournelle had recently returned from Dragon Con and reportedly died in his sleep after contracting a cold or flu. The hosts reflect on his long career, including his influential columns in Byte Magazine and his presence in the early tech media scene.
Sir Nacho discusses his experience self-publishing a young adult science fiction novel over four years. John Dvorak provides advice on the difference between "packaging" a book and "publishing" it, noting that a well-produced product can eventually be picked up by major distributors. The author credits "deconstruction skills" learned from the show for helping him complete the project.
A listener suggestion links the media's frequent use of the term "alternate universe" to the popularity of the Amazon Prime series The Man in the High Castle. The theory posits that liberals, who view the current administration as fascist, are drawing parallels to the show's dystopian premise. Dvorak dismisses the show as tedious and unwatchable despite its popularity.
Carly Fiorina Commentary, Visual Tactics of Pro-Life Activism
Carly Fiorina's public stance against Planned Parenthood is analyzed, specifically her point regarding the hypocritical use of ultrasound technology for harvesting rather than for maternal bonding. The discussion notes a shift in pro-life tactics from using "bloody" imagery to showing clean, recognizable fetal appendages, which is described as more effective due to modern science fiction influences.
A discussion regarding the theremin highlights its unique sound and historical use in science fiction cinema. One host describes a professional-grade theremin owned by a family member in Rotterdam, while the other expresses interest in acquiring an antique model, specifically those manufactured by Moog or original tube-based versions from the 1920s. The instrument's limited range and "squeaky" sound are compared to the B3 Hammond organ.
The name "Taser" is an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle," named by inventor Jack Cover after his favorite science fiction character. The hosts debate the validity of this factoid, questioning if the name was reverse-engineered to fit the acronym.
Starship Troopers and See Something Say Something Origins
The "See Something, Say Something" campaign, popularized by Janet Napolitano and the DHS, is traced back to the 1960 science fiction novel "Starship Troopers" and its subsequent film adaptations. A clip from "Starship Troopers 3" is played to illustrate how the government has adopted fictional dystopian propaganda as real-world policy.
ABC Sci-Fi Series V and Reptilian Conspiracy Theories
The hosts discuss the ABC remake of the science fiction series "V" and its parallels to David Icke's theories about reptilian humanoids ruling the world. They examine the show's plot involving "Visitors" who embed themselves in human society through a cult of personality. The discussion touches on internet memes portraying political figures like the Obamas and Bushes as reptilians.
District 9 Movie Review, South African Aliens, and Prawns
The science fiction film District 9 receives a highly negative review despite its acclaimed cinematography and special effects. The plot involves a million aliens stranded in a Johannesburg ghetto known as District 9, where they are derogatorily called "prawns." The narrative's focus on a multinational company (MNU) managing a forced relocation to a concentration camp is criticized for being stomach-churning and gross.
The 1975 film "Rollerball" starring James Caan depicts a future where corporations have replaced governments and resolve conflicts through violent games. This is compared to the original "Max Headroom" movie, which featured a notable hacker character and predicted a future of digital media dominance.
