How would Emperor Palpatine’s Press Secretary describe the Galactic Empire? How would Grand Moff Tarkin spin the destruction of Alderaan? Jonathan Last of “The Bulwark” joins Heaton to describe why he believes the Empire was a good thing–an imperfect…
Read MoreRobert Heinlein, author of “Stranger in a Strange Land,” “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress,” “Starship Troopers,” and dozens of other novels, is at the tippy top of science fiction’s pantheon of writers. Andrew Mayne joins the show to discuss Heinlein and…
Read MoreDr. Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist and science fiction consultant who advises major Hollywood productions on what they’re screwing up in scripts. She joins Heaton to discuss the physics pitfalls science fiction constantly blunders into, from…
Read MoreWhat’s Star Trek’s take on Artificial Intelligence, and how do Aristotle’s virtue ethics govern Data? Also if the holodeck can summon AI’s, and they are indeed sentient, is it ethical to sleep with them? John Krikorian of “Trek Profiles” and Alexandra…
Read MoreWhat do we learn about humanity when gazing through the optical sensors of a robot? Did Isaac Asimov write a novel where the end of humanity begins on a planet full of Libertarians? Ryan McGary joins for a full-throttle Isaac Asimov discussion, from…
Read MoreTim Sandefur joins Heaton on the podcast’s kickoff episode to dissect The Twilight Zone, and how Rod Serling’s fascination with nostalgia, the Cold War, collectivism, and totalitarianism made the most iconic scifi/horror show in American history.
Read MoreBen Domenech joins Heaton to discuss “Bladerunner,” “Bladerunner: 2049” and the book which inspired both, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” by Philip K. Dick.
Read MoreSpice is a metaphor for oil. Arrakis is the Middle East. Ben Brockshmidt joins Heaton to discuss all things dune–the economic, political, and historical influences which shaped Frank Herbert’s scifi universe.
Read MoreTim Sandefur joins Heaton to discuss the philosophical differences between Star Trek TOS and Star Trek The Next Generation. Gene Rodenberry and his contemporaries lived through World War II and the Cold War, and believed in clear right and wrongs….
Read MoreStephen Kent is the host of “Beltway Banthas” and joins Heaton to discuss the politics of Star Wars.
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