Science Fiction

Watch Feral's case for NO - https://youtu.be/hj_lBPRcMoU?si=KlZbmWjTNAFcARd3 Get your Psychohistory tees here - https://damosays-shop.fourthwall.com Become a member of the Science Fiction community to continue the discussion Website - https://damiengwalter.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DamienWalter Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/324897304599197/ Subscribe to the Science Fiction podcast feed for long-form commentaries on these video essays https://damiengwalter.com/podcast/ Follow Damien on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/damiengwalter.com

The discussion dives into the current crises of geopolitics and economics, linking them to themes of civilizational decline in science fiction. It explores psychohistory, a concept that attempts to forecast human behavior using statistical methods, while highlighting its limitations. The intersection of determinism and prophecy in narratives like Asimov's Foundation is also examined, revealing insights into societal dynamics. Lastly, the episode critiques the blend of psychohistory with Marxism, advocating for imagination in shaping future possibilities.

Get your scifi tees here - https://damosays-shop.fourthwall.com Become a member of the Science Fiction community to continue the discussion Website - https://damiengwalter.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DamienWalter Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/324897304599197/ Subscribe to the Science Fiction podcast feed for long-form commentaries on these video essays https://damiengwalter.com/podcast/ Follow Damien on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/damiengwalter.com

Shop the PKD Made Me Do It Collection - https://damosays-shop.fourthwall.com Become a member of the Science Fiction community to continue the discussion Website - https://damiengwalter.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DamienWalter Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/324897304599197/ Subscribe to the Science Fiction podcast feed for long-form commentaries on these video essays https://damiengwalter.com/podcast/ Follow Damien on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/damiengwalter.com

The discussion opens with fan-created maps of the Star Trek universe, revealing their political implications and the tension between utopian ideals and propaganda. It dives into how the series reflects American values and the socio-political landscape, especially in Deep Space Nine. The historical symbolism of the Enterprise connects it to exploration and adventure. The critique of imperialism raises questions about capitalism's foundation in a post-scarcity society. Television's role in shaping opinions through Star Trek is examined, alongside the interplay of dissent and the hopeful future it represents.

Shop the PKD Made Me Do It collection - https://damosays-shop.fourthwall.com Socialism and Fascism thoughts on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/DamienWalter Become a member of the Science Fiction community to continue the discussion Website - https://damiengwalter.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DamienWalter Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/324897304599197/ Subscribe to the Science Fiction podcast feed for long-form commentaries on these video essays https://damiengwalter.com/podcast/ Follow Damien on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/damiengwalter.com

Terminator is an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Arnold’s physique is the star of the film The progressive decay of the Body into the Machine is his co-star With the special effects that animated the Terminator as best supporting actor Watch the full video essay Subscribe to the Science Fiction podcast for the extended audio commentary LINKContinue reading "The De-Terminator : free will vs determinism in the Terminator"

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is a novel written at the beginning of the future. It’s hard to remember today, after Logan’s Run, The Handmaid’s Tale and Hunger Games made “dystopia” an entertainment genre, but when Yevgeny Zamyatin was writing in the early 1920s, it was only beginning to dawn on humanity just how bad the future might be. OrContinue reading "The science fiction novel that destroyed socialism"

Dive into the influential cyberpunk comic 'Transmetropolitan' as it challenges neoliberalism through its gripping narrative and vivid artistry. Explore how revolutionary themes resonate with today’s societal upheavals, especially among younger audiences. Discover the transformative power of technology in driving non-violent change and storytelling’s role in modern movements. Unpack the cultural critique of neoliberalism found within, focusing on the flawed yet compelling figure of Spider Jerusalem, a gonzo journalist navigating a dystopian world.

Explore how George Orwell's insights on oligarchy resonate with today's political landscape. Dive into a discussion about the rise of technocracy post-Trump, highlighted through themes in the show Andor. Reflect on modern comfort versus historical revolutions and the materialism shaping contemporary discontent. The conversation navigates transhumanism and accelerationism through a quirky lens, while also critiquing Orwell's Cold War foresight and the present-day threats to democracy. A thought-provoking blend of politics, history, and imagination awaits!