0045: A Can of Paint, by A. E. van Vogt
In A Can of Paint by A. E. van Vogt, the first landing on Venus finds a simple can of paint. But is it really simple, or an advanced alien…
0044: The Silly Season, by C.M. Kornbluth
Spheres, domes and bottomless holes appear in C. M. Kornbluth's The Silly Season, but how are they connected? We discuss this memorable story from 1950, then move on to the…
0043: Childhood’s End, by Arthur C. Clarke
Today we talk about Arthur C. Clarke and his 1953 novel Childhood's End, and how some science fiction writers helped poularize space exploration during the early U.S. space program. Links:…
0042: A Pail of Air, by Fritz Leiber
Fritz Leiber's A Pail of Air is a unique view of life on Earth after the end of the world. This inspires us to categorise end of the world movies,…
0041: Foundation, by Isaac Asimov
Foundation by Isaac Asimov leads us into discussing other future histories in science fiction, then we go on to our own view of the quality and style of Asimov's writing.…
0040: Costigan’s Needles, by Jerry Sohl
Could you rebuild civilization without tools, books, or even the fillings in your teeth? In Jerry Sohl's Costigan's Needle, a neighborhood of 400 people are thrust naked into a different…
0039: The Foghorn, by Ray Bradbury
Did the producers of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms get inspiration from Ray Bradbury's The Foghorn? Or did the connection between the two get some help from Ray Harryhausen? After…
0038: A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
We discuss the Hugo Award winning novel, A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, a huge mainstream success. Then we take a quick look at High School recommended reading…
0037: Scanners Live in Vain, by Cordwainer Smith
Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith is a classic story of the genre. So naturally we disagree over it, then switch things up by argueing about world-building. Links: Scanners…
0036: Tunnel Under the World, by Frederik Pohl
Feeling watched, counted, measured, tabulated and recorded? Maybe it's not the apps on your phone. Today we discuss Frederik Pohl's 1955 story "The Tunnel Under the World." Links: The Tunnel…