Alienating the Audience
Andrew Heaton
Andrew Heaton and an army of nerds plunge deep, deep into films, books, and TV shows to ask: what's science fiction really about? What is The Twilight Zone really exploring? What are the underlying themes of Star Trek? What is the worldview of Star Wars? Also sometimes Heaton performs comedy on other planets.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 15, 2019 • 1h 3min
P2 The Economics of "Dune"
Spice is a metaphor for oil. Arrakis is the Middle East. Ben Brockshmidt joins Heaton to discuss all things dune--the economic, political, and historical influences which shaped Frank Herbert's scifi universe.
Nov 15, 2019 • 52min
P3 Cold War Kirk vs. Picard the Moral Relativist
Tim Sandefur joins Heaton to discuss the philosophical differences between Star Trek TOS and Star Trek The Next Generation. Gene Rodenberry and his contemporaries lived through World War II and the Cold War, and believed in clear right and wrongs. Whereas the TNG of the 1980s belies a more relativistic worldview.
Nov 15, 2019 • 49min
P4 The Politics of Star Wars
Stephen Kent is the host of "Beltway Banthas" and joins Heaton to discuss the politics of Star Wars.
Nov 15, 2019 • 44min
P5 Varys is the best Game of Thrones character
Grant Carlisle joins to discuss the power dynamics and political themes underlying Game of Thrones.
Nov 15, 2019 • 37min
P6 Regarding Batman's Political Affiliation
Is Batman a Libertarian (wealthy, gizmos, works outside the law) or something else? Which superheroes would be Democrats? Any Republicans afoot? Comedian and Marvel aficionado Megan Sass joins Heaton to discuss.
Nov 15, 2019 • 42min
P7 Star Trek vs. The Orville
Former Congressman Dan Maffei joins Heaton to discuss: Is the "The Orville" more Star Trek than Star Trek, or just a knockoff?
