Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast
David Barr Kirtley
** Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks ** Host David Barr Kirtley, author of the book Save Me Plz and Other Stories, talks geek culture with guests such as Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Richard Dawkins, Simon Pegg, Bill Nye, Margaret Atwood, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy has appeared on recommended podcast lists from NPR, The Guardian, Wired, The A.V. Club, BBC America, CBC Radio, WVXU, io9, Omni, The Strand, Library Journal, and Popular Mechanics. CBC Radio writes, "You may not think a podcast about science fiction and fantasy would be the place to go for political insight, but -- it is. Geek's Guide to the Galaxy manages to be more insightful about politics than many pundits." View a complete list of guests and topics at geeksguideshow.com/episodes/. Listen to the show on YouTube at youtube.com/@geeksguidetothegalaxy to easily skip ahead to our discussion of a particular movie or story.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 30, 2024 • 1h 32min
582. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe Review (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer)
James Wynn and Craig Brewer, co-hosts of the Rereading Wolfe podcast, delve into the depths of Gene Wolfe’s The Fifth Head of Cerberus. They explore themes of identity, colonialism, and the impact of shapeshifting aliens. The conversation reveals the complex character dynamics and the narrative structure that challenges traditional storytelling. They discuss the novella's significance in Wolfe's literary evolution, as well as theories surrounding cloning and deception. Listeners gain insights into Wolfe's intricate style and ongoing literary debates.
Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 57min
581. Andrew Niccol Movies: Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, Anon
Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the movies Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone, In Time, and Anon, all of which were written by Andrew Niccol. Time stamps: Gattaca (11:57), The Truman Show (45:09), Simone (1:03:13), In Time (1:18:08), Anon (1:25:59). Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 3, 2024 • 1h 24min
580. New Mexico Science Fiction Writers (with Melinda M. Snodgrass)
Melinda M. Snodgrass joins us to discuss the New Mexico Mafia, a tight-knit community of fantasy & science fiction writers that formed in New Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s, a group that included George R. R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Fred Saberhagen. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 20, 2024 • 1h 18min
579. The Future of Demographic Collapse (with Malcolm Collins)
Malcolm Collins, co-host of the Based Camp podcast and a prominent figure in the pronatalist movement, shares thought-provoking insights on demographic collapse, genetic engineering, and AI. He dives into how advancing technologies could reshape society and discusses the potential economic impacts of declining birth rates. Collins also explores unique cultural solutions to fertility challenges, the implications of genetic optimization, and the need for reforms in education amid an evolving AI landscape.
Oct 6, 2024 • 1h 25min
578. Terminator Zero Season 1 Review (with Daniel H. Wilson, Zach Chapman)
Daniel H. Wilson and Zach Chapman join us to discuss the Netflix series Terminator Zero, an animated spinoff of the classic films Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 25, 2024 • 2h 30min
577. The Best of Roger Zelazny Review (with Tom Gerencer)
Tom Gerencer, author of *Think Like Google* and *Intergalactic Refrigerator Repairmen Seldom Carry Cash*, dives into the legacy of Roger Zelazny. They discuss Zelazny's influence on sci-fi and dissect notable works like *Doorways in the Sand*. The conversation touches on the challenges of story selection, the depth of unlikable narrators, and the psychological themes in *He Who Shapes*. Gerencer also explores how Zelazny's stories balance humanity and advanced AI, culminating in a celebration of the joy found in literary creation.
Aug 11, 2024 • 1h 31min
576. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Review (with Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, Robby Soave)
Lisa Yaszek, John Kessel, and Robby Soave join us to discuss Robert Heinlein’s classic novel Stranger in a Strange Land, about a young man raised by Martians. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 27, 2024 • 1h 17min
575. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Review (with Matthew Kressel, Anthony Ha, Sara Lynn Michener)
Join Matthew Kressel, a noted science fiction writer, Anthony Ha, an influential media strategist, and Sara Lynn Michener, a passionate critic, as they explore Arthur C. Clarke's 'Rendezvous with Rama.' They discuss the allure of the unknown in sci-fi, contrasting Clarke's minimalist character development with modern storytelling. The conversation delves into the upcoming film adaptation, the challenges of maintaining narrative integrity, and the mysteries surrounding interstellar objects like Oumuamua. Their insights spark a thrilling exploration of humanity's quest for knowledge.
Jul 12, 2024 • 1h 16min
574. A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge Review (with Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, Mercurio D. Rivera)
Seth Dickinson, Abby Goldsmith, and Mercurio D. Rivera join us to discuss Vernor Vinge’s classic 1999 novel A Deepness in the Sky, a prequel to his novel A Fire Upon the Deep. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 1, 2024 • 42min
573. Robert Charles Wilson on Science Fiction and Atheism
Robert Charles Wilson joins us to discuss his books The Perseids and Other Stories and Owning the Unknown: A Science Fiction Writer Explores Atheism, Agnosticism, and the Idea of God. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
