The political economy of speculative fiction
An experimental episode where unpack a perfect trifecta of DS9 Season 3. We nerd out about weird stuff from elevator pricing, to Thor Heyerdahl, and our favorite theocracy the UK. Three times the episode. Three times the weirdness.
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We’re joined by the hosts of one of our favourite shows, Adventures in Ideology, to talk about the first Cyberquest story, The Pharaoh’s Tomb, by Sigmund Brouwer. It’s Christian propaganda with a thin veneer of science fiction. Like a single coat of science applied with a poor brush by an unskilled painter.
Please don’t read this book. Please forgive us for reading it.
Music at the front of this episode is courtesy of Ross Bugden.
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We discuss Tain’s Plot to preempt the Dominion War in Deep Space Nine episodes 20 and 21, “Improbable Cause” and “The Die is Cast”. We get into the real life failings of spies and the probability of hiding
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Special guests and legends of Space Opera, Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell, generously took time to talk to us about their newly released novella, Light Chaser.
Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard
Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
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The boys sit down with Struggle Session co-host Leslie Lee to talk about DS9 Season 3 Episode 19 “Through the Looking Glass” and reflect on the meaning of the mirror universe.
Ben is abducted from Deep Space Nine and taken to the mirror universe where he bones the counterparts of his two women senior officers. He also saves the nascent Terran rebellion from the Alliance and proves once again how bad ass he is.
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O’Brien sees himself die and deals with it. Bashir worries about turning 30 and how eventually one day he’ll die and it almost kills him. We also discuss the wisdom of provoking the Dominion and the shortcomings of Jungian analysis.
Romulans are on the station to discuss the Dominion threat and O’Brien is time traveling to solve problems before they even happen. In the end, O’Brien is replaced with a slightly older version of himself.
Bashir makes an enemy of Lethean who is trying to obtain a controlled substance. The Lethean gets inside his head and tortures him (and the audience) with Jungian archetypes. Bashir survives and experiences some personal growth
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A more serious episode where we talk about climate change, science fictions critical role in shaping the way we think about the future, and how to call people to action. We also focus on the fact that climate change is now a completely political problem. In our view political action is the only path to climate action.
New York 2140 – Kim Stanly Robinson
American War – Omar El Akkad
The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude – Andrew Nikiforuk
The Broken Earth Trilogy – N.K. Jemison
The Wandering Earth/ Liúlàng Dìqiú (2019 movie)
Stephen mentions that Chris Kyle (The Devil of Ramadi), a war criminal and mass murderer, reports to have shot people in new Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. This is based on Mr. Kyle’s own claims and is widely disputed.
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Stephen and Marshall review Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 3 Episode 15 “Destiny” and Season 3 Episode 14 “Prophet Motive”. We talk about everyone’s favorite topic… Imaginary religions.
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On the brink of catastrophic climate change and America’s defeat in Afghanistan, one movie will pretend neither of these things are happening.
We review Amazon’s 4th of July long weekend extravaganza, The Tomorrow War.
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Is it love, or is it psychic contagion? We talk love, relationships, and vaccines as the boys review season 3 episodes 10 and 14, “Fascination” and “Heart of Stone”. Come for the kissing and stay for listener questions.
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