Watchbird by Robert Sheckley - The End of Murder—And the Start of Something Worse

Strange how often the Millenium has been at hand. The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles.  Watchbird by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.

We added 3 episodes to the podcast last week, and we’re doing it again this week, to say thank you for the explosion of new listeners and to reward you, our listeners who have been with us for a long time.

I had never read a science fiction story by Robert Sheckley until Jesse recommend him. Sheckley was born to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York on July 16th, 1928. After graduating high school, he hitchhiked across country to California.

He worked several jobs, joined the Army and left military service just two years later. Sheckley graduated from New York University in 1951 and within months his career as a writer took off. In late 1951 he sold his first story, “Final Examination” to “Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy” magazine. He wrote more than 120 short stories in the 1950s and he continued writing until he died in 2005.

He not only wrote short stories and novels but TV series episodes too. His 1953 short story “Seventh Victim” was the basis for the Italian film The 10th Victim. It starred Ursula Andress. You will hear “Seventh Victim” in a few weeks here on the podcast.

The movie “Robots” which came out a few weeks ago starring Shailene Woodley is based on the Robert Sheckley short story “The Robot Who Looked Like Me”

The short story you’re about to hear was adapted for the short-lived TV series Masters of Science Fiction. We’ll find our story in the February 1953 publication, “Galaxy Science Fiction” magazine. Turn to page 74 for Watchbird by Robert Sheckley…

In 2 days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, you asked for it and we’re doing it. A combination of two requests. You asked for more super short science fiction stories and you asked for longer episodes of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. So, why not both? We’ve got 9 kinda short sci-fi stories for you in an episode that’s a little over two hours! That’s in 2 days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.

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