Robin Hanson is an economist and the author of “The Age of Em: Work, Love and Life when Robots Rule the Earth.” He joins the show to discuss his theory that in the future the most intelligence and productive people in society will be uploaded to…

How does Star Trek handle gay characters, and what’s the balance between representation and tokenism? Andrew Young rejoins the show to discuss homosexuality in the Star Trek universe. (And get into a bunch of digressions involving John Stossel’s Emmy,…

What would happen if you were reincarnated. . . to the exact same life you just lived? What would happen when you were reborn to the exact same life fifteen times in a row? Ashland Viscosi and Nick Sperdute rejoin for another book club episode about…

“The Black Hole” is Disney’s 1979 answer to Star Wars–which didn’t work out quite as well. It’s a fun romp, involving telepaths, snarky robots, and a spacey Captain Nero. Although it has… some issues. Nick Sperdute and Andrew Young join to discuss…

If you could put together a new series, drawing on characters from across the Star Trek franchise, what would you make? Paul Mattingly and Nick Sperdute join Heaton for a round of Starfleet Draft Picks.

Nick and Heaton must journey to the mysterious “Staten Island” as part of their quest, where they encounter a degenerate lizard man.  Cast: Paul Mattingly as the Lizard Man, Andrew Heaton, and Nick Sperdute

Comedian Will Hines joins to discuss the themes and work of Philip K. Dick, the genius (and unstable) mind behind films like “Minority Report” and “Bladerunner,” plus a slew of books and short stories. 

Nick and Heaton must journey to the Replicant Homeworld in hopes of tracking down their Netflix password. Cast: Nick Sperdute, Andrew Heaton, and Kourtni Beebe as Fuschia Robotski

First, Jennings and Heaton compare their plans to beat the undead in their respective cities of Los Angeles and Wichita. Then, author Daniel Kraus comes on to discuss his new book “The Living Dead,” which he co-authored with the late George…

It turns out, rumors of Nick’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Cast: Andrew Heaton, Nick Sperdute, and Jared Berman as Joeblobe