
Alienating the Audience
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.
Latest episodes

Aug 26, 2021 • 53min
Children of Men
What happens to society when everyone on Earth goes sterile, and there's no future generation to hand things off to or better the world for? Andrew Young and Josh Jennings join to discuss the film "Children of Men".

Aug 12, 2021 • 1h 1min
We Are Legion, We Are Bob
Dennis Taylor's "Bobiverse" comedically follows the exploits of an engineer whose mind is uploaded into a self-replicating probe, which becomes its own civilization of Bobs. Tom Merritt joins to discuss the implications of immortality, and when reproduction means copying yourself indefinitely.

Jul 29, 2021 • 52min
The Giant Universe of Doctor Who
Justin Robert Young comes on to discuss "Doctor Who," arguably the most successful science fiction program (along with Star Trek) in history, and the most popular scifi program in Britain.

Jul 27, 2021 • 33min
Jordan Morris on Satire in a Dome
Jordan Morris is the author of "Bubble" and the co-host of "Jordan, Jesse Go!" on Maximum Fun. He joins the show to discuss culture and economic satire... in space.

Jul 13, 2021 • 7min
Los Angeles is Hideous
I have a new book out! Los Angeles is Hideous: Poems About An Ugly City. Arguably the funniest book ever written about the horribleness which is LA. Here are two quick readings from what is about to become your new favorite coffee table book. You can find "Los Angeles is Hideous: Poems About An Ugly City" at www.LAisUgly.com

Jul 8, 2021 • 60min
False Memories in Science Fiction
In a world where you can download memories directly into your brain, how can you determine what's reality and what's artifice? Jay Mutzafi returns to discuss implanted memories in science fiction, from "Total Recall" to "Rick and Morty."

Jun 24, 2021 • 1h 1min
Logan's Run is Afraid of Baby Boomers
"Logan's Run" (1976) explores a society where everyone dies aged 30. In the most campy, over-the-top 70s scifi romp imaginable, it explores fear of ageing, fear of death, fear of infantalization... and fear of Baby Boomers.

Jun 10, 2021 • 48min
M. R. Carey on Hopeful Dystopias
M. R. Carey is the author of "The Girl with All the Gifts" (previously discussed on this program) as well as the Koli Trilogy. He joins the show, along with Ashland Viscosi, to talk about his approach to science fiction. To see Carey's books and more, go to www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi

May 27, 2021 • 1h 1min
The Bioethics of “Gattaca”
“Gattaca” (1997) explores a dystopian future where inequality is staggering--and genetic. Andrew Mayne joins the show to discuss the implications of genetic engineering and to what extent it should be avoided morally or prohibited legally.

May 13, 2021 • 49min
Andy Weir on "Project Hail Mary"
Andy Weir, author of "The Martian," joins the program to talk about science fiction, technology, and his new book "Project Hail Mary" You can find his book, as well as others discussed on the program, by going to mightyheaton.com/goodscifi
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