Episode 15: Nukes, Supernovas, Meteors & Pandemics – Welcome to the Pre-Apocalypse!
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 Apple Podcast, Spotify, 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.”
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.”
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
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
Pod Culture Oz: Episode 2 – Omega Point, Sensates and Space Catholics
Pod Culture Oz: Episode 13 – Rockets, Billionaires and Space Cowboys
