Episode 34: Firefly and Serenity - Why Are “Browncoats” Still So Obsessed?

If the word "Shiny" means something special to you, or you know about the "special hell" that Mal could be going to, then you're probably already a fan of Firefly.  If not, take a listen to learn all about the Joss Whedon-created sci-fi/western show, and find out why its fanbase endures after all these years.

From Left to Right: Jayne, Kaylee, Book, Simon, Inara, Mal, Zoe, and Wash. Our intrepid crew.

From Left to Right: Jayne, Kaylee, Book, Simon, Inara, Mal, Zoe, and Wash. Our intrepid crew.

From Left to Right: Summer, Ron, Gina, Adam, Jewel, Nathan, Alan, Sean, and Morena. Our talented cast.

From Left to Right: Summer, Ron, Gina, Adam, Jewel, Nathan, Alan, Sean, and Morena. Our talented cast.

The Buffy parallels become a little more obvious in the movie.

The Buffy parallels become a little more obvious in the movie.

The first issue of the Serenity comics. As you can see, the likenesses are dead on.

The first issue of the Serenity comics. As you can see, the likenesses are dead on.

Want to pilot your own Firefly? This is one of a few games to give you that option.

Want to pilot your own Firefly? This is one of a few games to give you that option.

Episode 28: The Economics of Star Trek (Part 1)

Kurt calls up economy professor Matt Dobra again, this time to discuss the economy of the Federation from the world of Star Trek.  They famously say they do not use money in the future, and we dive into whether or not that would work.  Learn about post-scarcity, the hedonic treadmill, and other economic terms through the lens of one of the most famous science fiction franchises of all time!

Please go check out the new Patreon page! It’s just $1.00 per month, and will get you extra audio content, and a monthly shout-out! Thanks for your support!

Episode 22: Gatekeeping - What Is It, Why Is It Bad, and How To Fight It

I’ve been mentioning “gatekeepers” in the opening of nearly every episode, but what is a gatekeeper?  This week, we define gatekeeping, explain how it harms, and try to figure out where it comes from and how to fight against it.

Whoops. Not that Gatekeeper!

Whoops. Not that Gatekeeper!

Often a textbook example of a gatekeeper on the show.

Often a textbook example of a gatekeeper on the show.

If you are in the Bay Area of California and want a positive comic book store experience, as I mentioned, my friend runs Illusive Comics! She offers shipping of comics to those who can’t find a good store in their area. Let me know other good comic book stores you’ve found, and I’ll shout them out in future episodes!

Episode 21: Getting Medieval on Fantasy

This episode, Kurt is asked about why so much of fantasy takes place in a Medieval-like setting, and discusses a few of those reasons why that is the case.  Plus more famous quotes are given their origins; this time all coming from the same source.

One of the granddaddies of fantasy literature: King Arthur.

One of the granddaddies of fantasy literature: King Arthur.

Can’t bring up fantasy without Tolkien becoming part of the discussion, especially in this case.

Can’t bring up fantasy without Tolkien becoming part of the discussion, especially in this case.

A recent example of fantasy that takes place in a Medieval-like world. Have we mentioned that Winter is Coming?

A recent example of fantasy that takes place in a Medieval-like world. Have we mentioned that Winter is Coming?

A counter-example I bring up in the episode. If you find this book in bookstores, more likely it has the “serious” cover with Excalibur coming out of the lake, but this is how I found it.

A counter-example I bring up in the episode. If you find this book in bookstores, more likely it has the “serious” cover with Excalibur coming out of the lake, but this is how I found it.

Shadowrun: another counter-example, although the races still draw their inspiration from Tolkien. (Insert “The Unusual Suspects” joke here.)

Shadowrun: another counter-example, although the races still draw their inspiration from Tolkien. (Insert “The Unusual Suspects” joke here.)

Episode 10: The Future is Now!

Starting from near the beginning of the science-fiction genre, here are just a few times that sci-fi predicted technology before its arrival in our world.

Verne overestimated the flight time by about a day, but they got knocked off course by an asteroid.

Verne overestimated the flight time by about a day, but they got knocked off course by an asteroid.

If you're expecting the book "I, Robot" to bear any resemblance to the Will Smith movie...don't.

If you're expecting the book "I, Robot" to bear any resemblance to the Will Smith movie...don't.

Not actually a robot, but an android (robots are purely mechanical, androids have some organic bits to them).

Not actually a robot, but an android (robots are purely mechanical, androids have some organic bits to them).

"Little known" fact. "Beam me up, Scotty" is never said in the TV show or any of the original cast movies. (Many Trekkies already know this)

"Little known" fact. "Beam me up, Scotty" is never said in the TV show or any of the original cast movies. (Many Trekkies already know this)

Star Trek PADDs: Collect the entire set!

Star Trek PADDs: Collect the entire set!