Show Notes
Theme: The universe is a cold, unforgiving place.
Episode Connections
Films. 28 Days Later. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Fellowship of the Ring. Star Wars films. Stowaway.
TV episodes, series. Star Trek (the original series).
Ideas. Math-driven decision making & resource management. Artificially intelligent capitalism. Space stowaways. Challenges of life on the interstellar frontier. Forces of nature & laws of physics are equally ruthless. In real life there is no cavalry ready to rescue you. Comparisons to the Trolley problem & the Lifeboat scenario. Heroism & self-sacrifice v. personal accountability. Anti-climactic, run-of-the-mill gloom. CYA. Otto Warmbier. Motive & consequences. Lottery losers. Unrelenting logic is often a character flaw in literature & film. Mr. Spock's warm, fuzzy humanity v. his ruthless Vulcan logic.
Previous episode: Isaac Asimov, "The Dead Past"
Next episode: Jack Williamson, "With Folded Hands"