The Time Machine

Oct 17, 2019

Guest

Simon Schaffer

In this discussion, historian Amanda Rees uncovers how H.G. Wells' challenging childhood influenced his imaginative works. Literary scholar Simon James analyzes the dichotomy between the Eloi and Morlocks, reflecting on class struggle and societal evolution. Simon Schaffer provides insights into the broader scientific context of Wells' life and writing. They explore themes of time travel, Darwinian theory, and the moral responsibilities of speculative fiction, all while humorously navigating the complexities of Wells' legacy. An engaging blend of history, literature, and science!

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ANECDOTE

H.G. Wells' Father

H.G. Wells' father was a renowned cricketer for Kent, even achieving four wickets in four balls.
However, he struggled as a shopkeeper, a contrast to his athletic success.

INSIGHT

Wells' Education

H.G. Wells' education was a mix of formal training and autodidacticism.
He excelled under T.H. Huxley but struggled with less engaging physics teachers, highlighting the impact of educators.

ANECDOTE

Utopian Visions

William Morris critiqued Bellamy's 'Looking Backward', finding the technological utopia impersonal.
Morris' own 'News from Nowhere' offered a pastoral, arcadian future, contrasting with Bellamy's vision.

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The machine

a hot team, a legendary season, and a heart-stopping World Series : the story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds

Joe Posnanski

In 'The Machine', Joe Posnanski chronicles the 1975 season of the Cincinnati Reds, often referred to as the Big Red Machine. The book delves into the larger-than-life personalities of players like Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench, as well as other key team members such as Tony Perez, Davey Concepcion, and Ken Griffey Sr. Posnanski explores the team's dominant performance throughout the season and their dramatic World Series against the Boston Red Sox, particularly the epic Game 6. The book humanizes the players and provides insights into their motivations, struggles, and the team's overall dynamic under manager Sparky Anderson.

Looking Backward

2000-1887

Edward Bellamy

In 'Looking Backward: 2000-1887', Edward Bellamy presents a vision of a future socialist utopia through the eyes of Julian West, a young Bostonian who falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 and awakens in the year 2000. The novel describes a society where industry is nationally owned, goods are distributed equally, and there is no need for money, police, military, or lawyers. Bellamy's vision includes advanced technologies such as radio, television, motion pictures, and credit cards. The novel is a critical examination of 19th-century capitalism and advocates for a society based on equality, cooperation, and the brotherhood of man.

From Nowhere

Artists, Writers, and the Precognitive Imagination

Eric Wargo

Evolution and ethics

Thomas Henry Huxley

In 'Evolution and Ethics', Thomas Henry Huxley examines the implications of evolutionary theory for ethics and morality. He advocates for a naturalistic approach to ethics, emphasizing the importance of scientific reasoning in understanding human behavior and morality. Huxley critiques Social Darwinism, arguing that ethical considerations should guide human conduct rather than evolutionary principles alone.

Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect

Robert Burns

Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, first published in 1786, is a seminal work by Robert Burns that captures the essence of Scottish life and culture through poems like 'Halloween', 'The Twa Dogs', and 'The Cotter's Saturday Night'. The collection includes a glossary of Scottish words, highlighting Burns' commitment to preserving his native dialect. The book was a significant milestone in Burns' career, establishing him as a prominent figure in Scottish literature.