On this episode of Science Fiction University, we dive into the works of Andy Weir, the author behind the hit novels The Martian and Project Hail Mary.
Project Hail Mary, Weir's latest novel takes readers on an epic journey across the cosmos. Like his earlier work, The Martian, PHM showcases Weir's talent for fusing cutting-edge science with an extremely human story of perseverance and hope. We'll analyze how Project Hail Mary embraces the conventions of "hard" science fiction while also delivering an optimistic, even spiritual message about humanity's ability to overcome challenges through cooperation and grace.
So join us as we explore the intricate worlds and big ideas contained within Andy Weir's captivating science fiction adventures.
There are ventriloquist dummies, and then there are dummies like Senator Tommy Tuberville. What did Blue Gal think was the most revealing moment of the Michael Cohen testimony? Driftglass says he is willing to try to be "more polarizing" than David French. All this and a news round-up with our home state winning a special designation! More at proleftpod.com.
We kick things off with a whimsical tangent about "sacred chickens" - those unquestioned assumptions and mythologies that societies cling to, even in the face of contradictory evidence. This leads to a deeper discussion about the concept of "phenomenology" and how subjective experience of reality can be manipulated (see Fox News).
From there, we dive deep into one of America's most pernicious "sacred chickens" - the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that falsely claimed former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. And we examine how it gained traction, in large part due to the relentless promotion by Donald Trump and, more importantly, by the relentless desire of CNN and other mainstream outlets to let Trump on their airwaves to promote his racist (and lie-filled) "investigations."
While Trump's championing of this fantasy was an early glimpse into his comfort level with trafficking in racism and misinformation for perceived political gain, it was also a glimpse into just how willfully blind the media is to right-wing manipulation, especially if it means they can "both-sides" a presidency for both balance AND ratings.
The Republican party establishment's refusal to reject birtherism set the stage for the party's further embrace of conspiracy theories and "alternative facts" in subsequent years under Trump. The episode is a timely examination of how racism, xenophobia, and phenomenological distortions can be weaponized for political purposes with damaging consequences.
A black-and-white movie from decades ago taught us something that just isn't true about the "power of persuasion." This and the week's news -- more at proleftpod.com.
No, really, Trump was the so-called president for the entire year 2020, and he never took any responsibility for managing the US Government's response to the pandemic.
And normal people blot out the memories of this because of a little thing called TRAUMA. We must remind ourselves and others that we will NEVER AGAIN elect that incompetent egomaniac.
Link for this episode: "There’s a name for Trump playing down the threat and failing to take action against the virus: Institutional betrayal"
On this week's "No Fair Remembering Stuff" episode, we dive into the collective amnesia many Americans seem to have about the complete shit-show that was 2020 under the Trump administration's "leadership."
How have so many already forgotten that for an entire year, we had a petulant man-child occupying the Oval Office who utterly botched the federal pandemic response at every turn? An incompetent egomaniac who could never admit failure or take responsibility, instead choosing to gaslight and distract.
As the COVID-19 crisis raged out of control, Trump was more concerned with protecting his fragile ego than protecting American lives. From endorsing unhinged disinfectant theories to downplaying the virus's severity, this deranged narcissist's negligence led to thousands of preventable deaths on his watch.
But for many, blotting out those traumatic memories is a coping mechanism. Our brains simply can't process the gaslighting, ignorance, and criminality that defined the Trump regime's pandemic mismanagement. A perfectly understandable psychological defense.
However, we can never allow ourselves to forget and become complacent. We must keep recounting the layered trauma of the Trump era, manifesting in policy disasters like COVID-19 bungling. It's the only way to prevent America from ever re-electing such a staggering inept leader again.
Tune in for our brutally honest admissions about the 2020 PTSD we're all still recovering from. It's tragedy and terror told through our trademark candor and dark humor.
We celebrate our 800th podcast episode. Wow! Thanks for supporting our podcast work.
And for our 800th episode we have to start off with Kristi Noem's dog murder and Marjorie Taylor Greene's unconscious (and NOT Christian) anti-Semitism? Where's the cake?
Also thinking back to 1968, which 2024 is NOT.
There are 799 more episodes, and information on how to support the show, at proleftpod.com.
