The political economy of speculative fiction
Recorded on June 8, Star Wars correspondent and newly minted PHD Justin comes on the Pod to talk about the latest D+ Series Obi-Wan. We talk about how the Monarchy of Alderan works inside the Galactic Republic/Empire and our predictions for the last two episodes of the run. The post Obi-Jaaan Ft. Dr. Justin appeared first on Androids and Assets.
15/06/2022 • 78:38
The boys get down to brass tacks about Andy Weir’s 2021 book, Project Hail Mary, and how it explains our inability to address climate change. The post Project for the New Aerospace Century appeared first on Androids and Assets.
08/06/2022 • 61:04
We are looking back on the 1989 classic How to Get Ahead in Advertising. For a deep dive on the intersection of psychology and commerce we are joined by Hugo nominated Blogger and long time friend of the show Olav. The post How To Get Ahead in Anti-Psychiatry Ft. Olav appeared first on Androids and Assets.
28/04/2022 • 39:25
The TV show version of the Expanse ended months ago. Now get our expanded criticisms on the shows final season and our big picture takes the Expanse Franchise, and what we really think about Basic. PS The show is entering a new phase, and we will only be doing one episode a month. So you … Continue reading "Expanded Criticisms: Season 6 of the Expanse Ft. Evan from Kino Lefter" The post Expanded Criticisms: Season 6 of the Expanse Ft. Evan from Kino Lefter appeared first on Androids and Assets.
06/04/2022 • 59:11
Marshall and Stephen are joined by the dynamic and entertaining John Scalzi to talk about his new book, The Kaiju Preservation Society. The post The Kaiju Preservation Mob, In Conversation with John Scalzi appeared first on Androids and Assets.
17/03/2022 • 64:46
Marshall and Stephen are joined by returning guest Gautam Bhatia to talk about his recently released novel The Horizon. Works Mentioned Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko Planetary Mine by Martín Arboleda Aurora Rising originally titled The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton Echopraxia by Peter Watts Economic Science Fictions edited … Continue reading "The Horizon Coalition, In Conversation with Gautam Bhatia" The post The Horizon Coalition, In Conversation with Gautam Bhatia appeared first on Androids and Assets.
31/01/2022 • 55:10
The boys talk about Boba Fett and why the media discourse can’t stop talking about lords and ladies. The post The Book of Boba Fett and the Road to Serfdom appeared first on Androids and Assets.
17/01/2022 • 57:54
The boys are back at it with Season 4 Episode 4 – Hippocratic Oath. Julian and Miles are stranded on a planet with Jem’Hadar and have the first big fight of their relationship. On the station, Worf is learning to adjust to his new role and butts heads with Odo. The post Emissaries of Profits — “Hippocratic Oath” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
11/01/2022 • 44:30
Taking a well worn path to the orchard of problematic Netflix content, the androids and assets team get angry as they lazily pluck the low hanging fruit that is American political discourse. Please enjoy this review of the 2021 sci-fi comedy Don’t Look Up. Happy New Year… It probably won’t get worse. The post Can’t Look Away appeared first on Androids and Assets.
01/01/2022 • 62:37
At long last we settle the question… Is DS9 Anime. Specialist and swell guys Tom and Jo Remind us that DS9 is great, that jobs suck, and we exaggerate the value of suffering. The post EOP Indiscretion with The Anime Sickos appeared first on Androids and Assets.
19/12/2021 • 66:58
Marshall and Steve sit down with the brilliant and ever didactic Cat Rambo to discus their newest book You Sexy Thing. Out now. The post Where You From: In conversation with Cat Rambo appeared first on Androids and Assets.
16/12/2021 • 54:26
We are joined by SyFy Sistas, an incredible Star Trek podcast, to discuss Deep Space Nine’s second episode, “The Visitor”. It’s a heart wrenching episode and a great representation of family and black love. Here is a link to the wonderful interview SyFy Sistas did with Cirroc Lofton. The post Emissaries of Profits — “The Visitor” ft. SyFy Sistas appeared first on Androids and Assets.
07/12/2021 • 67:34
In order to review Netflix’s Inside Job, Stephen and Marshall must go back to the conspiracy that started it all. The post The Patriarchy Was an Inside Job appeared first on Androids and Assets.
01/12/2021 • 60:54
Season 4 has arrived and the Klingons are up to something. Marshall and Steve are reviewing Season 4 Episode 1, “The Way of the Warrior”. The post Emissaries of Profits – “The Way of the Warrior” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
20/11/2021 • 56:34
Stephen and Marshall get aggressive talking about the Hugo shortlisted short stories in part three of our three part series. Today we cover “The Mermaid Astronaut” by Yoon Ha Lee and “Little Free Library” by Naomi Kritzer. The post Hugo Shortlisted Short Stories III appeared first on Androids and Assets.
02/11/2021 • 41:56
In honour of the completion of Season Three of Deep Space Nine. We are covering the space station’s guest appearance on the pilot episode of Star Trek Voyager – “Caretaker”. In this episode, Marshall and Steve talk about how Voyager contrasts with Deep Space Nine and how Voyager un-critically replicates problematic ideas in it’s quest … Continue reading "Emissaries of Profits Special Edition – Voyager “Caretaker”" The post Emissaries of Profits Special Edition – Voyager “Caretaker” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
25/10/2021 • 66:16
Stephen and Marshall get excited talking about the Hugo short listed short stories in part two of our three part series. Today we cover “A Guide for Working Breeds” by Vina Jie-Min Prasad and “Metal Like Blood in the Dark” by T. Kingfisher The post Hugo Shortlisted Short Stories II appeared first on Androids and Assets.
19/10/2021 • 42:45
We finish of season 3 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with “Facets” and “The Adversary”, two episodes about identity and belonging . The post Emissaries of Profits — “Facets” and “The Adversary” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
10/10/2021 • 53:07
The Androids and Assets team goes undercover as a spy thriller podcast to review Luc Besson’s 2019 thriller, Anna. We’re pleased to be joined by Alex, President of the Edmonton chapter of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. The post Assassins and Assets – Anna ft. Alex appeared first on Androids and Assets.
08/10/2021 • 56:33
Stephen and Marshall get serious talking about the Hugo short listed short stories in part one of our three part series. Today we cover “Open House on Haunted Hill” by John Wiswell and “Badass Moms in the Zombie Apocalypse” by Rae Carson. The post Hugo Shortlisted Short Stories I appeared first on Androids and Assets.
03/10/2021 • 37:54
An experimental episode where unpack a perfect trifecta of DS9 Season 3. We nerd out about weird stuff from elevator pricing, to Thor Heyerdahl, and our favorite theocracy the UK. Three times the episode. Three times the weirdness. The post Emissaries of Profits—”Explorers”, “Family Business”, and “Shakaar” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
28/09/2021 • 65:06
We’re joined by the hosts of one of our favourite shows, Adventures in Ideology, to talk about the first Cyberquest story, The Pharaoh’s Tomb, by Sigmund Brouwer. It’s Christian propaganda with a thin veneer of science fiction. Like a single coat of science applied with a poor brush by an unskilled painter. Please don’t read … Continue reading "Cybersnooze ft. Adventures in Ideology" The post Cybersnooze ft. Adventures in Ideology appeared first on Androids and Assets.
13/09/2021 • 80:21
We discuss Tain’s Plot to preempt the Dominion War in Deep Space Nine episodes 20 and 21, “Improbable Cause” and “The Die is Cast”. We get into the real life failings of spies and the probability of hiding The post Emissaries of Profits – “Improbable Cause” and “The Die is Cast” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
04/09/2021 • 44:44
Special guests and legends of Space Opera, Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell, generously took time to talk to us about their newly released novella, Light Chaser. Recommendations Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North The post Entertainment and Control, In Conversation with Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell appeared first on Androids and Assets.
31/08/2021 • 47:05
The boys sit down with Struggle Session co-host Leslie Lee to talk about DS9 Season 3 Episode 19 “Through the Looking Glass” and reflect on the meaning of the mirror universe. Through the Looking Glass Ben is abducted from Deep Space Nine and taken to the mirror universe where he bones the counterparts of his … Continue reading "Emissaries of Profits — “Through the Looking Glass” ft. Leslie Lee" The post Emissaries of Profits — “Through the Looking Glass” ft. Leslie Lee appeared first on Androids and Assets.
25/08/2021 • 64:43
O’Brien sees himself die and deals with it. Bashir worries about turning 30 and how eventually one day he’ll die and it almost kills him. We also discuss the wisdom of provoking the Dominion and the shortcomings of Jungian analysis. Visionary Romulans are on the station to discuss the Dominion threat and O’Brien is time … Continue reading "Emissaries of Profits — “Visionary” and “Distant Voices”" The post Emissaries of Profits — “Visionary” and “Distant Voices” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
10/08/2021 • 52:33
A more serious episode where we talk about climate change, science fictions critical role in shaping the way we think about the future, and how to call people to action. We also focus on the fact that climate change is now a completely political problem. In our view political action is the only path to … Continue reading "Policy Droid II Atomic New Deal" The post Policy Droid II Atomic New Deal appeared first on Androids and Assets.
01/08/2021 • 65:14
Stephen and Marshall review Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 3 Episode 15 “Destiny” and Season 3 Episode 14 “Prophet Motive”. We talk about everyone’s favorite topic… Imaginary religions. The post Emissaries of Profits — “Destiny” and “Prophet Motive” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
28/07/2021 • 69:45
On the brink of catastrophic climate change and America’s defeat in Afghanistan, one movie will pretend neither of these things are happening. We review Amazon’s 4th of July long weekend extravaganza, The Tomorrow War. The post The Private Sector Experience: The Tomorrow War appeared first on Androids and Assets.
21/07/2021 • 71:50
Is it love, or is it psychic contagion? We talk love, relationships, and vaccines as the boys review season 3 episodes 10 and 14, “Fascination” and “Heart of Stone”. Come for the kissing and stay for listener questions. The post Emissaries of Profits — “Fascination” and “Heart of Stone” appeared first on Androids and Assets.
05/07/2021 • 61:18
