Roderick on the Line Ep. 603: "Fewer Me"
Nov 24, 2025
Merlin and John dive into nostalgic sci-fi, reminiscing about Twiki and Buck Rogers' campy charm. They explore the clash of polished utopias versus rustic villages in genres from Mad Max to The Mandalorian. The discussion takes a turn to the impact of political systems on speculative worlds and the waning faith in technology's promises. John shares his new show dynamic post-Ken Jennings, while Merlin advocates for a 'fewer me' approach in interviews. Their reflections on aging, agency, and attention conclude a lively conversation.
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Buck Rogers' Clean Future Memory
- Merlin and John recall Buck Rogers, Erin Gray, and the era's shiny, form‑fitting future aesthetic.
- They contrast that clean, courtly future with later "lived‑in" sci‑fi like Mad Max and Star Wars.
The Lived-In Future Trope
- Science fiction often defaults to a "lived-in" future where ordinary people wear linen and live simply.
- Merlin Mann and John Roderick say this trope frames technology as adversarial to everyday living.
Tech Pessimism Shaped Modern Sci‑Fi
- Writers stopped believing that technology would broadly improve social problems by itself.
- That pessimism reshaped modern sci‑fi into tech‑skeptical dystopias, John argues.
