Exploring Tomorrow: Meaningful Science Fiction and Life's Big Questions

Mikel J. Wisler
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Can science fiction save the world? Author and filmmaker, Mikel J. Wisler, explores the themes and ideas presented in a wide range of sci-fi movies and books from various time periods. Convinced that sci-fi is the most naturally philosophical genre, Wisler invites everyone from die-hard fans to casual observers to dive into meaningful conversations about how sci-fi helps us think about our future, brings up challenging scenarios, and forces us to ask big questions.

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    030 Subscribed Short Film - Or How I Got Diana Porter to Directing My Script

    Because I love science fiction, I don't just talk about it. Occasionally, I write sci-fi stories. And because I used to be a narrative filmmaker, I still pick up and camera and do a little cinematography. In this episode, I invite actor and director Diana Porter to discuss with me why she agreed to direct and star in "Subscribed," this short film I wrote out of concerns over how faceless corporations might exploit artificial intelligence as a tool to transform us into cogs in their profit machine. I also ask what first got Diana interested in science fiction. We are in post-production for "Subscribed" and eager to complete the film and share it with more people, get it into festivals, and engage in meaningful conversations around the themes of the film. If you would like to learn more about the project, you can do so here: http://kck.st/3zD87bq Learn more about Diana Porter's work here: https://www.dianaporteractress.com

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    029 The Tomorrow War - Movie Discussion with Chris Wong & Naa Dodoo

    The Tomorrow War offers us big-budget sci-fi with hand-wavy time travel and deadly aliens. What's not to love? On this episode, I invite a couple of friends who also love a good sci-fi flick to join me for a lively discussion about the merits and flaws of this tropy action movie. Be warned, we discuss the move at length, so expect a lot of spoilers. Follow Naa Dodoo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facelessfoods/ Keep up with my writing news (including updates about my own time-travel novel): www.mikelwisler.com

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    028 Octavia Cade, The Stone Weta, and Protecting Climate Change Data

    Author and science communication specialist Octavia Cade joins me for an important conversation about climate change, effective communication of science to the public, and protecting data and scientific integrity in a world driven by politics and profit margins. In this challenging and eye-opening episode, Cade and I discuss the real-world inspiration for her novel, The Stone Weta, about the women who put their lives and work at risk to project damning data on climate change. While the novel is fiction, the reality it draws from is something we must face head-on in a world increasingly engaged in science denial. Learn more about Octavia Cade's work at www.ojcade.com The recent John Oliver episode I mentioned can be seen here: https://youtu.be/gPHgRp70H8o For more on my books and my blog, visit www.mikelwisler.com

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    027 Terri Favro and 100 Years of Robots

    Author Terri Favro joins me to discuss her non-fiction book, Generation Robot, which gives us a look back at the history of robotics and AI and a well-researched look forward into what lies ahead in the coming decades. Science fiction has given us a wide range of views on robots. But has sci-fi really got it right? What will happen if we succeed in giving AI consciousness? What will our responsibility to AI be at that point? What is a realistic view of our relationship to robots in the future? We discuss these questions and much more. Learn more about Favro's work at terrifavro.ca Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/HKfpNXwhdV Check out my blog and books at mikelwisler.com

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    026 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Review

    Andy Weir, author of The Martian, has a new novel out, Project Hail Mary. In this episode, I dive into what works and what doesn't about this book, how Weir has given us a better character journey, and more. Weir returns to some familiar territory with this plausible hard SF adventure. First 20-minutes are spoiler free. Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/Arsbp5MAhq Grab a copy of Wisler's Hard SF Cyberpunk Thriller: https://www.doxanousmedia.com/product-page/sleepwalker Learn more at www.mikelwisler.com

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    025 Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee and the Golden Age of SF

    Author Alec Nevala-Lee stops by to discuss his monumental biography of the early days of science fiction. His book, Astounding, details the rise of SF through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. This was the age of a magazine called Astounding, today known as Analog Science Fiction and Fact. In those early decades, John W. Campbell served as editor of Astounding and he left an indelible mark on the genre, for better or worse. Campbell fostered talented writers like Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, L. Ron Hubbard, and so many more. He indisputably shaped what we understand as Science Fiction today. But he upheld a distinctly white, male, capitalist outlook. Meanwhile, as science fiction found its footing in American culture, it also spun off the creation of a new religion. Was this an accident, or was it inevitable? We discuss this and some of Nevala-Lee's own fiction feature in the collection, Syndromes. Learn more about Alec Nevala-Lee's work: https://nevalalee.com Read Astounding: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062571946 Listen to Syndromes: https://nevalalee.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/listening-to-syndromes/ Learn more about Mikel's work at www.mikelwisler.com

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    024 - What Makes Good Science Fiction - Advice from Ben Bova and Orson Scott Card

    Orson Scott Card and the late Ben Bova are two giants of the science fiction literary world. Bova has long been one of my favorite authors and his Grand Tour books have been an enormous influence on me. I recently dug up some solid advice from established professionals in the SF writing world and I found Card and Bova had both written books on writing SF. In this episode, I explore some of the connecting big themes both authors discuss in their books about what makes science fiction a challenging but worthwhile genre. I break down some examples of where some stories fail and others succeed. But this is not just an episode for writers. This is a look at why the genre matters, and why it may be the most fundamental human activity at this point in our evolution. If you want to check out my books, please visit www.mikelwisler.com

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    023 Professor Sherryl Vint and Using SF to Make Sense of the World

    Sherryl Vint teaches Science Fiction Media Studies at the University of California, Riverside and has written several books exploring the various philosophical and cultural aspects of science fiction. Her latest book, Science Fiction, published as part of the MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series. This latest book is a guide for the casual sci-fi fan interested in understanding how the genre has evolved and how it has become one of the most important forms of storytelling in our society's rapid technological and cultural development. Join us for a great discussion. Learn more about Sherryl Vint's work here: https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/sherrylv Join the discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/HKfpNXwhdV Learn more about Wisler's work: mikelwisler.com

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Can science fiction save the world? Author and filmmaker, Mikel J. Wisler, explores the themes and ideas presented in a wide range of sci-fi movies and books from various time periods. Convinced that sci-fi is the most naturally philosophical genre, Wisler invites everyone from die-hard fans to casual observers to dive into meaningful conversations about how sci-fi helps us think about our future, brings up challenging scenarios, and forces us to ask big questions.

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