Our Opinions Are Correct

What is the point of absurdist storytelling in a world that feels absurd? We talk about science fiction that gets silly, satirical, and weird -- and why we need it desperately. From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to The Onion, we analyze absurdism as readers and writers. Then we're joined by Victor Manibo, author of the brilliant new novel Escape Velocity, who tells us about how his background in immigration law helped him write an anti-billionaire space opera. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

The Planet of the Apes franchise spans decades and formats: it started as a French novel in 1963, and then jumped the Atlantic to become a long-running series of movies, TV shows, a cartoon, and even videogames. We talk about the politics of the story, and why some versions succeed while others fail. Then we're joined by Josh Friedman, who wrote Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and get some interesting backstory on the latest film in the franchise. Shownotes: https://www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

We’re obsessed with dragons, and for good reason. These gigantic creatures soar through many cultures and genres — and they feel more relevant than ever today. We talk to author Moniquill Blackgoose about why, and discuss her Nebula-award winning novel To Shape A Dragon’s Breath. Then we have a completely non-awkward conversation about dragons and sex. Shownotes are at: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

The summer entertainment season is upon us! Many of our favorite TV shows are back, and there are a few movies we're excited about as well. Not to mention a flood of truly incredible books by many of our favorite authors. Here's our select guide to the stuff we're most pumped about this summer, and all the latest trends in entertainment.

Guest Wole Talabi discusses surveillance dystopias, blending of religion and business in Nigeria, and reclaiming cultural heritage. The podcast explores themes of privacy erosion, AI-driven surveillance, and societal implications of surveillance in sci-fi and horror genres.

Annalee, author of Stories Are Weapons, discusses psychological warfare in the U.S., highlighting culture wars and resistance to propaganda. Topics include psyops, influence campaigns, indigenous rights, community storytelling, book adaptations with potatoes, mirror selves in Star Trek, and interpretations in creative works.

Science fiction has been warning us about fascism for decades — so why haven't we listened? How did Nazis become just another monster in our stories, like werewolves or cyborgs? Plus we talk about the new wave of book censorship with Maggie Tokuda-Hall, co-founder of the new organization Authors Against Book Bans. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

AI researchers Alex Hanna and Emily M. Bender discuss the flaws of the Turing Test in sci-fi and reality. They explore the gendered aspects of AI evolution and test AI intelligence. Later, the podcast delves into the concept of domestication, drawing parallels between breeding dogs, humans, and AI.

It's a scary time for LGBTQIA+ folks — and many of us are turning to horror stories that take our real-life terrors and make them even more monstrous. To find out why, we talk to Dr. Chuck Tingle, the author of Camp Damascus and Bury Your Gays, and we geek out about why queers love to be scared. Also, we talk about horror movie soundtracks — and the 1970s prog rock experiment that changed horror movie music forever. Shownotes: https://www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

At last, videogame movies have defeated comic book movies. We learn about why from Evan Narcisse, who writes for comic books and videogames, as well as being a journalist and critic. Then we rant about why so many people are obsessed with psychoanalyzing villains, and are flocking to stories that reveal the innermost traumas of bad guys. Why do we keep humanizing awful people? It's a problem. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes