In this episode, we examine the often-overlooked moments before an impending apocalypse, which have a special drama of their own. And we are here for that drama… do people come together in the face of impending doom, or do they crumble under the weight of inevitable disaster?
We look at different types of impending doom – natural disasters that can’t be averted, external agents such as aliens and robot overlords (you know we want to talk about Cylons and Reapers again!), and of course, looming man-made disasters that may or may not be averted. Nick is back with more Neon Genesis Evangelion (of course!), plus Flip has a WHOLE NEW WAY to examine Westworld!
You can listen to this episode on our website, or you can subscribe on on Anchor.FM, Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Maybe humans can only live in the space between themselves and the can. And if your only option is to keep kicking the can down the road, that’s what you do.
Nick
Timestamps:
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 2.03 – What is a pre-apocalypse?
- 15:12 – Natural Disasters
- 40:08 – Aliens & Robots
- 52:05 – Man made disasters
- 1:18:57 – Is there a moral message in pre-apocalypse stories?
- 1:31:57 – Wrap up & Outro
I think that in order to be moral, you need to have a future. If everybody is going to die, morality has no meaning.
Nick
References – note: Flip still has a broken arm, so links will be added in slowly.
Books we discuss
- Briggs, Raymond (1982). Where the wind blows graphic novel.
- Cixin, Liu, (2008). The Dark Forest, English translation by Ken Liu c 2015, Tor Books, New York.
- Cixin, Liu, (2010). Death’s End, English translation by Ken Liu c 2016, Tor Books, New York.
- Cixin, Liu, (2008). The Three Body Problem, English translation by Ken Liu c 2014, Tor Books, New York.
- Fforde, Jasper (2001). Thursday Next series.
- Levy, Primo (1986). The Drowned and the Saved.
- Lob, Jacques and Jean-Marc Rochette (1982). Snowpiercer Graphic Novel Series.
- Miller, Walter M, (1959). A canticle for Liebowitz.
- Pratchett, Terry and Neil Gaiman, (1990). Good Omens.
- Shute, Neville, (1957). On the beach.
- Shute, Neville, (1950). A town like Alice.
- Shute, Neville (1952). The Far Country.
- Sophocles. Oedipus Rex.
- Susman, James, (2020). Work – A history of how we spend our time.
- Tolkien, JRR, (1937). The Hobbit.
- Tolkien, JRR, (1954). The Lord of the Rings.
- Way, Gerald, (2007). The Umbrella Academy comic series.
- Willis, Connie, (1992). The Doomsday Book.
Movies & TV shows we discuss
- 2012 (This is Nick’s fault!)
- Armageddon
- Battlestar Galactica (new series)
- Caprica
- Deep Impact
- District 9
- Don’t Look Up
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Hard Sun
- Heroes
- Independence Day
- Knowing
- Mad Max series
- Mars Attacks
- The Nineth Gate
- On the Beach (film)
- On the Beach (tv)
- Signs
- Snowpiercer
- The Terminator Series
- These Final Hours
- Threads
- Travelers
- The Walking Dead
- Westworld (movie)
- Westworld (tv show)
Games we discuss
Other links:
- Alcorn, Gay. ‘How Australia’s Compulsory Voting System saved it from Trumpism‘ in The Guardian – (review of Judith Brett’s book ‘From Compulsory Voting to Democracy Sausage’ )
- Baker, Dillon. ‘Enough with the post-apocalypse. What about the pre-apocalypse?’ in Killscreen
- Crow, David. ‘Westworld Creators Think Their Dystopia Is Humanity’s Best Chance’ in Den of Geek
- Gaiman, Neiil. Eulogy for Pratchett in The Guardian
- Global Catastrophic Risk
- Pod Culture Oz: Episode 2 – Omega Point, Sensates and Space Catholics
- Pod Culture Oz: Episode 11 – Happily Ever After
- Pod Culture Oz: Episode 13 – Rockets, Billionaires and Space Cowboys