Space the Nation
Space the Nation
On Space the Nation, we take our love of science fiction (and fantasy and horror) and smash it together with our professional passions: international relations (as brought to the table by Tufts University professor and Washington Post columnist Dan Drezner) and cultural criticism (as brought to the table by political columnist Ana Marie Cox). It's a highly informed but hilarious conversation that starts with an examination of a particular text (everything from Ursula K. LeGuin to the MCU, Star Trek to Colson Whitehead) and veers into current events, mental health practices and imagined conversations between Ted Cruz and the Predator. For people who like white papers and graphic novels, Chapo Trap House and what Political Science Twitter used to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 9, 2024 • 1h 14min
S4E09: EX MACHINA
Ana and Dan open up some Keikaku beers and ask this movie if it knows it's a movie. This gorgeous exploration of power, identity, gender, and self-awareness is a decade old but of the moment, with its sexy AI and Joe Rogan billionaire. It has IR, a critique of capitalism, and Oscar Isaac disco dancing. (This did not get posted last week; technical difficulties -- many apologies.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 24, 2024 • 58min
S4E08: STARTER VILLAIN
Ana and Dan accede to the superior analysis and portfolio acquisition of cats. We've been meaning to do a Scalzi book for some time -- but which one? Then the decision was taken out of our hands, because talking (typing) cats. There is IR in this book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 6min
S4E07: LEECH
Ana and Dan add some fresh motor oil to their hearts to gear up for this adventure in a post-apocalyptic science fiction gothic mutant medical horror romance set in the distantly future French Alps. Intrigued? You should be! This novel sets a high degree of difficulty for itself and... just about succeeds. Like, succeeds enough to be really interesting! There is a lot of body horror, some IR, and a wealth of critiques of capitalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 11, 2024 • 1h 14min
S4E06: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
Ana and Dan watched a movie we did! For those unfamiliar with this off-the-radar franchise, it's a story about the adventures of wise Wookie whose sage is advice is often ignored by his lovable but misguided human friends. We hope you like it! There is IR and even a critique of capitalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 5, 2024 • 51min
S4E05: THE COLONY
Ana and Dan put on their masks (the right way) and get to the script-doctoring! The Colony (2013) was so bad it birthed two new STN formats: First, we conduct a pathological exam on the movie and try to come up with ways that the patient could have been saved. Second, we sketch out Fishmas, a December-long celebration of Laurence Fishburne's scifi oeuvre. We are taking suggestions for what to cover, having already hit some highlights (Matrix, Event Horizon). There is some IR in this extremely boring movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 1min
S4E04: I.S.S.
Ana and Dan ask you to notice the hum of the life-support system. If that goes silent, then you're definitely watching this movie, where someone draws attention to the hum of the life-support system so that you will notice when it goes silent. This is not a bad movie, it is a disappointing one. The wrong people sang, damnit! Also, please listen to the end because we need you all to weigh in: Is a wrap a sandwich? Oh, and yeah, there's IR in this movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 21min
S4E03: THE TERROR
How's this for terror: Ana's beloved mutt got pancreatitis, thus this episode is really late. But, I did it! Here, here it is! And it's an excellent episode. Ana and Dan haven't cut their tongues out yet, so they can use them to talk about how much they both enjoyed The Terror, one of the best TV shows ever (in Ana's opinion, Dan is not quite as enamored). Compelling performances and fascinating characters, the real terror of the show comes from the oppressive dread of the arctic environment and the unreliability of human nature. God, it's good. I'm so sorry it took me so long to post this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 14, 2024 • 1h 11min
S4E02: THE SHINING
Hosts discuss Stanley Kubrick's version of The Shining and its differences from the book, exploring the tension and escalating events at the hotel, and the role of directors in eliciting performances from actors. They also talk about accepting offers to write with limited contact, phrases that haunt, and their plans for the new year.
13 snips
Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 2min
S4E01: THE EXPANSE S3E1-6
BELTALOWDA! Ana and Dan return to their roots to discuss the first half of season three of The Expanse. IS THERE IR IN THIS SHOW? IS THERE A CRITIQUE OF CAPITALISM? Exploring The Expanse's take on these issues is why Space the Nation exists -- but we never talked about S3 on the air. Journey with us into the past for the first time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 1, 2024 • 1h 11min
S3E52: REBEL MOON: PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE
Ana and Dan take Netflix's money and light it on fire. This movie looks kind of cool, but why did we watch it? Blame squarely falls on Dan, the one who suggested it! The movie features notably ineffective and reckless rebel organizing, fortunately overshadowed by the poorly designed Motherland dreadnought. There's laser-resistant wood, pay-as-you-can space pirates, and an impressively cool griffin. Amidst the chaos, there's a nod to international relations (IR), and the film's very existence is a critique of capitalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
