Science Fiction 101

Time for a new episode of the podcast. This time Colin and Phil meet the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, to discuss his new novel The Downloaded.

It's that time of year where we take a current science fiction magazine and review it from cover to cover - as something of an antidote to what we did last episode (which was to review an old magazine from the 1960s New Wave).

This time we work through one of the most successful of the current magazines, the multiple award-winning Uncanny.

It being the end of the year, Colin and Phil continue their annual tradition of travelling back in time to read an old science fiction magazine. This time, they stop off in 1968 - the height of the "new wave" in science fiction - and pick up an issue of New Worlds magazine from December 1968.

Colin and Phil review the short stories nominated for this year's Hugo Awards. As the World Science Fiction Convention is in China, this year's shortlist includes a number of Chinese stories!

We also have our usual run through of past, present and future science fiction.

We realised one day that we'd talked about our "desert island movies" and "desert island TV" choices, but not considered our BOOK choices. Time to rectify that oversight!

We discuss four types of book: science fiction novels; science fiction short story collections/anthologies; books which are SF-adjacent in some way; and books which have nothing at all to do with SF.

You're bound to recognise some of these, but we might have a few surprises or obscurities. Listen and find out!

Phil and Colin like nothing more than a compare-and-contrast, so they return to Doctor Who to review an episode typical of the modern era. How does a Hugo Award-winning episode starring David Tennant stack up against the William Hartnell original episode (reviewed last time)?

We also have our usual past/present/future round-up.

This year, the long-running SF series Doctor Who is sixty years old - so Colin and Phil turn back the clock and watch the very first episode of the series, from 1963: "An Unearthly Child".

Phil's first proper Doctor was the third one, played by Jon Pertwee, although he has vague recollections of the second doctor (Patrick Troughton). On the other hand, like many Americans, Colin first knew of the show from the Tom Baker years.

What will they make of the gruff, original Doctor portrayed by William Hartnell?

We also have our usual skip through past, present and future science fiction.

As we enjoyed our "favourite movies" episode so much, we decided to go for a "favourite TV series" episode this time. Once again, Colin opts for a top ten, but Phil chickens out of having to come up with a ranking order, and instead opts for a chronological jaunt through his list.

Which TV shows did we choose? Are there any series common to both Colin and Phil's lists? Join us, and find out!

In the two years(!) that Science Fiction 101 has been running, we've somehow managed not to ever list our favourite movies. Until now. But faced with an almost impossible task, we choose two different methods of revealing them: Colin goes for the top ten (or top nineteen...) countdown; while Phil opts for a chronological approach.

Which films did we choose? Are there any films common to both Colin and Phil's lists? Join us, and find out.

We review a classic of science fiction: DESTINATION MOON. No, not the 1950 George Pal film (although Phil does mention it a few times in this episode). But the 1950s Tintin books by Hergé!

Joining us is our special Francophone guest, podcaster Emmanuel Dubois (producer and host of La Fayette, We Are Here!)

And we have a Moon-inspired quiz, and our usual round-up of recommendations of past/present/future sci-fi.

Time for another episode of the podcast, and this time we delve into our favourite sci-fi artificial intelligences.

We  largely ignore ambulatory A.I., so you won't find much talk of robots  or androids here. Instead we try (but don't always succeed) to discuss  the type of A.I. that won't chase you down a corridor or strangle you.

In this new episode of Science Fiction 101, Phil and Colin review three shorts stories - the only three stories to make the Hugo, Nebula and Locus shortlists.

Our quizzing reaches new heights - or should that be depths - with a Chronology-inspired challenge for Phil.

And we round off with our usual dash through past/present/future science fiction. We hope you enjoy the show.

Colin and Phil recently found themselves reviewing Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama (1973) on another podcast - and were intrigued by a quote from author Mike Resnick, who said that James White's All Judgement Fled (1968) was "Rama done right".

What  is this other book, and why would one repsected author (Resnick)  suggest that another respected author (White) had bested yet another  respected author (Clarke)? We decided to investigate - and in this  episode of Science Fiction 101 we tell you everything we learned.

All Judgment Fled was first published in serialised form in the science fiction magazine Worlds of IF, edited by Fred Pohl, in 1967/8. IF was a sister magazine to Galaxy Science Fiction.

Also in this episode:

Phil and Colin attempt to celebrate the big 1-0 - as we are ten episodes old! We discuss the ages-old myth (and sci-fi trope) of the Hollow Earth. And then its Phil's turn to spring a quiz on tuba-playing co-host Colin. And we finish with our usual round-up of recommendations of past, present and future science fiction.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader).

We  look at 2001: A Space Odyssey, the classic 1968 film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and the novel written by Arthur C. Clarke. Then Colin springs a quiz on an unsuspecting Phil. And we finish with a round-up of recommendations of past, present and future science fiction.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction  from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre!  Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin   Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader).

We talk about ways the world can end in science fiction stories. We review the award-winning Naomi Kritzer short story "Little Free Library". And we bring you a quiz sent in by a listener. As well as our usual run through of recommendations from the past, present and future of SF.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin  Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader).

Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101

Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:

A bumper episode - full of more sci-fi quiz goodness, plus a double-podcast-crossover as hosts Phil and Colin are joined by Seth Heasley from Take Me To Your Reader and Hugos There, two splendid SF podcasts.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction  from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre!  Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and  Colin  Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider Ray Bradbury (sort of), Isaac Asimov, and re-masters of The Day of the Triffids and Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition.

Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101

Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:

Phil gets his quiz revenge on Colin, we review the short story that just won the Nebula Award (plus another one that was a runner-up), plus our usual discussion of SF past, present and future.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and  Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider haunted houses, zombie moms and the discovery that Colin has never seen The Handmaid's Tale.

Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101

Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:

We review Andy Weir's new bestseller PROJECT HAIL MARY! And we throw in a quiz, plus our usual discussion of SF past, present and future.

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and  Colin Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider PROJECT HAIL MARY.

Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101

Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:

Our theme: EX-Science Fiction!

Science  Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction  from all  angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre!  Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (Bradburymedia, Bradbury 100) and Colin   Kuskie (Take Me To Your Reader) as this episode they consider Space and  all that it offers to the SF reader and writer.

Follow us at http://101sf.blogspot.com and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sciencefiction101

Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:

Science Fiction 101 is the podcast where we examine science fiction from all angles - exploring the past, present and future of the genre! Join regular hosts Phil Nichols (of Bradburymedia and Bradbury 100) and Colin Kuskie (of Take Me To Your Reader).

In this first episode, Phil and Colin introduce themselves, and attempt to define "science fiction". They then move on to their recommendations of classic SF, current reading and hopes for new SF expected later this year.