The Socialist Shelf

We're going to the distant, wild, far-flung cyberpunk future of the early 2000s...as seen from the early 90s. Yep, we're talking about Neal Stephenson's 1992 science fiction/action/dystopian/satirical/straight-up-badass novel, "Snow Crash." Joining the Shelfers to discuss is editor of Blood Knife Magazine and member of Podside Picnic, Kurt Schiller. What's the difference between anti-capitalism and anti-corporatism? What happened to the dreams of the techno-utopians? Is Hiro Protagonist a good name for your main character? Why is Uncle Enzo so damn cool? All that and more! Check out Kurt's work: https://bloodknife.com/, https://www.patreon.com/PodsidePicnic, @MechanicalKurt on Twitter. Credit to Blowback for our parody intro and to the song "World Destruction" by Time Zone. Credit to Kevin MacLeod for our outro music. Cover art is from the cover of the novel itself. Alternate title for this episode: "Ready Player FUN"

EMBRACE THE IMMORTAL SCIENCE OF MARXISM-LENINISM-LEVONISM!!!! We're back with Sydney to finish out this trudge through what I assume has to be Ben Shapiro parodying himself: "True Allegiance." This book is bad. It's so so so so bad. Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is of a random child who tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he looked cool in his hat.

UGGHHHHHH That more or less summarizes our reaction to "True Allegiance," Ben Shapiro's work of fiction that repeatedly, incessantly, infuriatingly, asks over and over and over: "Have you considered wokeism might be at the heart of our problems?" No Ben, we haven't. Joining us is cringe-fiction expert and Jacob's spouse, Sydney, to really get into this evil creation of the whiny, deranged, foot-stomping manchild known as Ben Shapiro. Music by Kevin MacLeod. The cover art is...pretty epic.

It's our first repeat author! Get ready to discuss the short stories, "Bloodchild," "Amnesty," and "Book of Martha" by the Queen of science fiction, Octavia Butler. Joining us is noted sci-fi enthusiast, drip-king, and all-around-cool-guy, Aaron Thorpe! How does one sanitize literally being eaten alive? Why is the internet into botflies? What would you do with the powers of God? Who's more evil, alien invaders or the US Government? (Okay, that's one's obvious.) Check out Aaron @Afrocosmist on Twitter or go listen to his podcasts: "The Trillbilly Worker's Party," "Struggle Session," and "Everybody Loves Communism" Music by Kevin MacLeod, art from the republished edition of "Bloodchild."

It's the week of interviews, and we're back with another fantastic one...this time with legendary socialist writer, thinker, and enjoyer of good fiction, Vijay Prashad! Hear Vijay's thoughts on superhero films, the (super)power of organizing, how mass media reveals the insecurities of the ruling class, and how anti-capitalist fiction can become revolutionary art. For more from Vijay Prashad, go to https://thetricontinental.org/ Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is Vijay's Twitter profile pic (and a very nice one at that.)

We enjoyed his book, "American War," and in this episode, we got a chance to enjoy speaking to the author! Listen to acclaimed writer and journalist Omar El Akkad chat with the Shelfers about climate change, the dangers of American individualism, his writing process...and then even more about climate change. You're not required to scroll back and listen to our "American War" episodes before listening to this interview, but we sure would recommend it. You can find Omar here on Twitter: @omarelakkad. We also recommend you check out his podcast, "WITHOUT." Music by Kevin MacLeod. Episode art is a picture of our guest!

Y'all know what's up: it's Kim Stanley Robinson's climate fiction smorgasbord, "The Ministry for the Future!" REVOLUTIONARY OPTIMISM!!!!!!!! Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is of KSR himself

"Jacob...Joss...do y'all talk about nothing but bleak books anymore? I'm getting tired! I'm getting depressed." Never fear listeners, it's time to talk about Kim Stanley Robinson's positive, anti-dystopian work of climate fiction, "Ministry for the Future." Questions we consider: What will spur the working masses of the world to action? What role does sci-fi play in painting visions of a better world? What's the difference between being a utopian idealist and a revolutionary optimist? Music by Kevin MacLeod, cover art from the original novel cover.

"First of all, I don't want to hear the word surrender..." We're back with more dystopia! "American War" by Omar El Akkad continues to deliver with discussion of life as a refugee, island torture facilities, and economies strangled by war...sound familiar? The chickens are coming home to roost. With us is delightful guest, Josh Boerman, helping us figure out what to make of this nightmare novel. We also talk about water. Lots of water in this book, folks. If you've got ears to hear, pop over to https://www.worstpossible.world/ as soon as you finish listening to this episode. You might just want to keep an eye out for their upcoming guests. Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art from iStock.

What if everything was bad...and then it got worse...and then it kept getting worse...and everything generally stayed bad forever? That's what Omar El Akkad tackles in his work of climate fiction, "American War," and that's what the Shelfers are here to discuss. But wait! Joining us is noted apocalyptician and student of declining empire, Josh Boerman from The Worst of All Possible Worlds! What will happen to the American South without left organizing? What is the trajectory of a society without hope? What, if anything, is the use of novels preaching dire climate warnings? What's the deal with the Mississippi Sea? All this and more! Check out Josh's work at https://www.worstpossible.world/. Seriously, it's one of the best podcasts out there. Music by Kevin MacLeod, cover art is from the cover of American War