Recommendations:

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

M*A*S*H

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with criticism from writers and sci-fi fans, but the event seemed to go smoothly and the Hugos were awarded as they had been for decades. Then a few months later it was discovered that the Chengdu committee has disqualified and flagged works they preemptively deemed anti-People's Republic of China, leading to botched nominees and winners. The author of Short Story Award publicly rejected her status as a winner, and so Jack and Sam discuss what happened, how easily one can be mislead into authoritarianism, and how many people had to keep making the wrong choices for this to happen at all.

Mentioned in this episode:

"Rabbit Test" by Samantha Mills

A Breakdown of the Chengdu Scandal

Emails Related to 2023 Hugo Awards Censorship

“Rabbit Test” unwins the Hugo

Next Episode: 1955's "Allamagoosa" by Eric Frank Russell

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Not mentioned but this story was adapted into a episode of Netflix's animated anthology, Death, Sex, and Robots

Recommendations:

Gravity directed by Alfonso Cuaron

Death Stranding developed by Kojima Productions

The Martian by Andy Weir

World War Z- Christina Eliopolis chapter by Max Brooks

Staying Alive

Next Episode: 2023's Rabbit Test by Samantha Mills

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Our first repeat author episode is Mike Resnick, who wrote a story that feels right at home next to "Kirinyaga". But first, Jack and Sam have a lot to get to,

from dealing with the latest revelations from a once admired writer to the works of John Steinbeck. After that, it's time for a tour of Antares III, a planet full

of incredible architecture and a fascinating history. It's a shame that the human tourists care so little for it.

Mentioned in the episode:

Lila Shapiro's article on Neil Gaiman

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Recommendations:

Listen back to our episode on "Kirinyaga"

Dahomey directed by Mati Diop

1491 by Charles C. Mann

"Ozymadias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

William Dalrymple's The Anarchy and Return of a King

Next Episode: 1999's "The Very Pulse of the Machine" by Michael Swanwick

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The legendary Connie Willis presents what is easily the most unique format for a story we've read so far. A fictional literary dissertation on two newly discovered Emily Dickinson poems, and the writer's hypothesis on the strange world and methods needed for this poems to be authentic when they were apparently written 11 years after Dickinson's death! Her arguments have some holes. Fans of lengthy footnote section will certainly enjoy the read, although Sam and Jack had some issues with the first comedic story on the show

Recommendations:

The War of the Worlds (2005) directed by Steven Spielberg

World War Z by Max Brooks

Ash: A Secret History by Mary Gentle

Next Episode: 1998's "The 43 Antarean Dynasties" by Mike Resnick

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Recommendations:

The Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickson

Ethics in America produced by Columbia University

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Nightcrawler directed by Dan Gilroy

Next Episode: 1997's "'The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems' A Wellsian Perspective" by Connie Willis

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Hades game spoilers at 3:10

Scientific studies and organized religion have both benefited from each other and butted heads over the centuries, and science fiction is no different. Many writers have their takes on how greater understanding of our universe can shape our faiths. Arthur C. Clark opens the universe to one devout astrophysicist who finds a sign that doesn't disprove God, but makes him wonder about the kind of mercy the Almighty provides.

Recommendations:

The Book of Job translated by Robert Alter

Enders Game & Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask developed by Nintendo

Next Episode: 1965's "Soldier, Ask Not" by Gordon R. Dickson

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Recommendations:

“Beat the Devil” by Kris Kristofferson

“Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band

“A Soldier’s Tale” by Igor Stravinsky

"Friends on the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog

"The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings" from Futurama

Puella Magi Madoka Magic animated by Shaft

Next Episode: 1956's "The Star" by Arthur C. Clark

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Recommendations:

Shogun by James Clavell

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Next Episode: 1959's "That Hell-Bound Train" by Robert Bloch

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Recommendations:

"My Funny Valentine" from Cowboy Bebop

SOMA by Frictional Games

Next Episode: 1989's "Kirinyaga" by Mike Resnick

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Oh, and if listening before August 11, you can still register and vote for in the 2024 Hugos! Give yourself one of those classic "I voted!" stickers if you do so. Rare to spot them in the summer.

Next time: 2010's "Bridesicle"

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In the final story of the season, we return to the 21st century. Two women from old fables find comradery (and more) in each other as they share their pasts and pain on a summit made of glass. Jack and Sam enjoy Amal El-Mohtar's take on classic fairy tale tropes and get ready to fulfill what the show is all about: ranking the dang Hugos.

Recommendations:

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Circe by Madeline Miller

Dracula, Motherf**ker by Alex de Campi

Fables by Bill Willingham's

Next Episode: Jack and Sam rank the first 10 stories!

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A suspicious man lingers around a playground, watching. A worrisome start to a story of a man called Ian. Jack and Sam try to figure out his goals and his "interesting" rationale behind them in a tale where time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future.

Recommendations:

Gravity Rush developed by Japan Studio

Hardspace: Shipbreaker developed by Blackbird Interactive

"The Long Morrow" episode from The Twilight Zone

To Your Eternity by Yoshitoki Oima

Next Episode: 2017's "Seasons of Glass and Iron" by Amal El-Mohtar

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Puberty is a difficult time for everyone, but some have it worse than others. One of those is a girl named Kelsey who's early blooming causes endless bullying from her classmates. Fortunately, another discovery she's made about her body is that it can turn into a wolf. The bullies (and neighborhoods dogs) will not be so lucky.

Closed Systems Kill: An Interview with Suzy McKee Charnas by Joan Gordon

Recommendations:

Eight Grade directed by Bo Burnham

Jennifer's Body directed by Karyn Kusama

The art and comics of E.M Carroll

Next Episode: 1982’s “The Pusher” by John Varley

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We REALLY recommend you read the story first.

When we first looked over the list of stories we had to read, Jack was thrilled at the chance to eventually talk about honorary friend of the pod Ursala K. Le Guin and her utopia of Omelas. Since then Sam has also gotten aboard the Le Guin train and the two gush over one of the best stories we've read so far. This is EHE at its finest: politics, philosophy, morality, tangents from the past and present, and Sam annoying Jack by agreeing with him. All wrapped up in some beautifully written words. Oh, and the boys get to talk about wrestling! This is a good one, folks.

Spoilers for The Last of Us at 1:02:00

The essay Jack mention by Micheal Moorcock criticizing Tolkien and praising Le Guin among other authors

Recommendations:

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Next Episode: 1990’s “Boobs” by Suzy McKee Charnas

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Content Warning for descriptions and discussions regarding sexual assault after the break.

Apologies for the rough audio. These files have been through the virtual wringer over the months.

From Romulus and Remus to Washington epically crossing the Delaware River, empires and nations throughout history have used stories of their founding to be the bedrock of their society, Many are fabrications, others leave out critical details, and more have an uglier side. Geoffrey Landis takes us to the Martian penal colony, and how the few survivors murdered and pillaged their way into building a home on the red planet.

Recommendations:

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

Mad Max: Fury Road directed by George Miller

Next Episode: 1974’s “Those Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin

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Back in my day you had to go to a store, in person, to pick up a DVD or VHS tape if you wanted to watch a specific movie at home. Ok, Sam and Jack aren't that old but they do remember when Netflix delivered discs in the mail. Tim Pratt writes about the old magic of browsing the shelves at the local video rental store in the 2007 Hugo Short Story winner "Impossible Dreams", and how stories on screen enrapture us just as much as those in text. Romance ensues.

Mentioned in this episode:

Superman Lives script (written by Kevin Smith!) and some more behind the scenes info

Quick read on how indie bookstores have survived corporation and digitization

An Oral History of Kingdom of the Sun (not Empire) and Yzma's song "Snuff Out The Light"

Short Film adaption by Shir Comay

Recommendations:

Ready Player One directed by Steven Spielberg

Your Name directed by Makoto Shinkai

I Met a Traveler in an Antique Land by Connie Willis

F for Fake directed by Orson Welles

Next Episode: 2003’s “Falling Onto Mars” by Geoffrey A. Landis

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Harlan Ellison is a legendary name in the sci-fi world with numerous award winning novels and stories attributed to him. He is was also an author with a lot of baggage as a quick glance at his Wikipedia page can tell you. Sam and Jack read a very 1960s story about fighting against the Man and freeing society while musing on art done by not very nice people. You'll not waste any time listening to this one.

Recommendations:

Abbie Hoffman on Yippie Tactics - 1968

A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland

Next Episode: 2007’s “Impossible Dreams” by Tim Pratt

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1973 had two winners. Listen to 3a - "The Meeting" if you haven't yet!

With over 70 stories to discuss, it was inevitable that one would disappoint. That story is Eurema's Dam. Albert the brilliant but dumb machinist rants and raves and invents, and in the end his words are lost to his audience and readers alike. Sam and Jack try and figure out what the Worldcon crowd in Toronto saw in this while arguing over whether the narrator also dislikes this story. With two stories about intelligence and Lafferty a... tad bitter about tying with "The Meeting", it is only natural to see which of the two stories has the edge. Ready Player One is mentioned for the first (and unfortunately not the last) time on the show.

Recommendations: 

The Social Network directed by David Fincher

"Why No Roman Industrial Revolution?" by Bret Devereaux @ A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry

Next Episode: 1966’s “'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman” by Harlan Ellison

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1973 had two winners. The other episode will be uploaded one day after this one!

The Worldcon attendance in 1973 ended in tie for the top spot. The first is "The Meeting", where a father attends a PTO meeting at his son's school before receiving a dreaded phone call. Jack and Sam ponder the definition(s) of intelligence, an individual's act of evil versus society's, and making all the wrong decisions.

Recommendations: 

Head Transplants and the Non-Existence of the Soul by Jacob Geller

"Symbols and Signs" by Vladimir Nabokov

Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction! Uncanny Magazine Issue 24

Next Episode (Tomorrow!): 1973’s “Eurema’s Dam” by R.A. Lafferty

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Discussions of Sexual Coercion at 19:21-19:45 and 46:42:-49:57

The first Hugo’s of the new millennium have us going back in time with a classic science fiction scenario and a twist that will leave the reader wondering what their decision would be. Jack and Sam discuss the morality and capital capture of time travel while indulging in the ways the rich deal with boredom.

Recommendations: 

Piano Quintet in G minor by Dmitri Shostakovitch

Looper directed by Rian Johnson

Bioshock Infinite developed by Irrational Games

“After His Burial and Before His Death” by Arnold Kemp

Next Episode: 1973’s “The Meeting” by Frederick Pohl & Cyril M. Kornbluth, and “Eurema’s Dam” by R.A. Lafferty

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Our first story in our journey is a more recent one. Listen in as Jack and I (yes it is I, Sam, who writes the show notes) discuss our first story and gush over an excellent tale of American poverty and the power of storytelling.

Recommendations: 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

The Tatami Galaxy produced by Madhouse and directed by Masaaki Yuasa 

References in the Episode:

The Increase in Book Bannings in the United States

Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Research

Donate to Little Free Library to support book sharing across the globe

Next Time: 2000's "Scherzo with Tyrannosaur" by Micheal Swanwick

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Next Episode: 2009’s “A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies”: by Alix E. Harrow

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