Theme: Is there anybody out there?
Time:
46:36Episode Connections
Authors, stories. Poul Anderson,
High Crusade.
Star Trek series. Isaac Asimov,
Foundation series. C.S. Lewis
Perelandra,
Out of a Silent Planet, That Hideous Strength. H.G. Wells. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
Sherlock Holmes stories. Arthur C. Clarke,
Rendezvous with Rama, Rama 2. Claire Winger Harris, “The 16 Possible Science Fiction Plots.” H.G. Wells,
The War of the Worlds. Carl Sagan,
Contact. Robert E. Heinlein,
Starship Troopers.
Films.
Star Wars. 2001 A Space Odyssey. The Planet of the Apes. The Blob. The War of the Worlds. Independence Day. Battlefield Earth. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Contact. The Arrival. Starship Troopers. Space Jam. Return to the Planet of the Apes. Battle for the Planet of the Apes. TV episodes, series.
Star Trek. Battlestar Galactica. Buck Rogers. Space 1999. MST3K. V. Ideas. Welcome to the podcast, where classic sci fi short stories are the topic of conversation. Space opera. Sci fi B-movies. The series will focus on the roots of modern sci fi. Characteristics of early sci fi. Sci fi plots. Many early stories have elements that are dated now. Focus on the way Clarke talks about lunar exploration … mundane. Epic time scales in sci fi, and “The Sentinel.” Talk of plot details. The aura of awe around atomic power. Who were / are the aliens who left the sentinel behind? Might they be jealous of humans? What are they like? What are their motives? Long-standing sci fi questions. Would the story succeed today? Would it feel authentic? plausible? Has sci fi made us arrogant with regard to space and aliens? Dated elements … The date in which it is set. The Earth-like qualities of the lunar explorer. Life on the moon. Atomic power solves all problems. The story stands the test of time. It would still work if released today. It is a great introduction to classic science fiction.
Next episode: Isaac Asimov, “The Dead Past”
Music Credit: "Ouroboros" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.
Link:
Creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/