At the end of this episode, Sam says "Thank you for watching" despite a podcast being something you listen to, not view. A tragic mistake if there ever was one.

The legendary Connie Willis presents what is easily the most unique format for a story we've read so far. A fictional literary dissertation on two newly discovered Emily Dickinson poems, and the writer's hypothesis on the strange world and methods needed for this poems to be authentic when they were apparently written 11 years after Dickinson's death! Her arguments have some holes. Fans of lengthy footnote section will certainly enjoy the read, although Sam and Jack had some issues with the first comedic story on the show

Recommendations:

The War of the Worlds (2005) directed by Steven Spielberg

World War Z by Max Brooks

Ash: A Secret History by Mary Gentle

Next Episode: 1998's "The 43 Antarean Dynasties" by Mike Resnick

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This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler

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This is not a short story! The 1960s saw the Hugos group all the non-novel writing awards under "short fiction" and at a whopping 56 pages, Gordon R. Dickson delivers "Soldier, Ask Not", a tale that is clearly aimed at people who are already familiar with his Dorsai series. Nevertheless, Sam and Jack take the plunge to learn about war correspondent Tam Olyn and his actions on the planet of St. Marie. Torn apart by a war between human splinter races, Tam surely breaks some ethical guidelines to tip things in his favor.

Recommendations:

The Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickson

Ethics in America produced by Columbia University

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Nightcrawler directed by Dan Gilroy

Next Episode: 1997's "'The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems' A Wellsian Perspective" by Connie Willis

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This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning for discussions of child abuse from 18:00-22:30

Hades game spoilers at 3:10

Scientific studies and organized religion have both benefited from each other and butted heads over the centuries, and science fiction is no different. Many writers have their takes on how greater understanding of our universe can shape our faiths. Arthur C. Clark opens the universe to one devout astrophysicist who finds a sign that doesn't disprove God, but makes him wonder about the kind of mercy the Almighty provides.

Recommendations:

The Book of Job translated by Robert Alter

Enders Game & Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask developed by Nintendo

Next Episode: 1965's "Soldier, Ask Not" by Gordon R. Dickson

Support Us on Ko-fi

Follow us on Bluesky!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.