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Episode 145: AI as Antichrist

3/11/2020

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Danny is joined once again by Adam Ray Adkins, also known as Dirt: Son of Earth, for a discussion about apocalyptic visions of artificial intelligence. 
Links
Adam’s links: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PRdcZSuCpNo
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLf7Rx9k1Xpg6v4ty7lwiSmzSm6Dfb6IBF&v=DCkKo3-2ChE
Theorywave Nights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVj4V3FHHXFh2vPg0pKgBNA
Danny’s Article on Child’s Play
https://soundthesirens.com/lars-klevbergs-childs-play-reboot-from-magic-to-materialism/
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episode 144: Solaris

2/26/2020

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Danny Anderson is joined once again by C. Derick Varn for another discussion about a Tarkovsky film. Previously we covered Andrei Rublev and Stalker, and this week we discuss Tarkovsky's great 1972 sci-fi masterpiece, Solaris, the story of a sentient planet presents many philosophical problems and maybe even a Lenten meditative practice! Tune in for the fun.
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Episode 137: Blade Runner - Welcome to 2019

11/21/2019

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​Just in time for November 2019 (when the events of Blade Runner were set), Danny and Nathan Gilmour discuss the classic 1982 film and its incredible sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Danny and Nathan discuss, among other things, postmodernism, epistemology, theology, feminism, and much much more.
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Episode 91: Metropolis

10/10/2018

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Inspired by our recent episode on Elon Musk, this show explores the nightmarish futuristic vision of the class Fritz Lang film, Metropolis. Learn all about the background of this film’s socialist politics and groundbreaking cinematography. Still stunning to look at 90 years later, this 1927 masterpiece has influenced countless science fiction films since its release. What does the film have to say about technology and the mechanization of mankind? Is it a transhumanist fantasy or nightmare? How does this film make use of religious imagery in order to make the case for its socialist politics? Is the heart the mediator between head and hands? Plus, sexy robots! All this and much much more. Todd Pedlar of the the Book of Nature Podcast and Micah Redding of the Christian Transhumanist Society join for this great discussion about an essential film.

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Episode 70: They Live - Ideology, Wrestling, Aliens

5/17/2018

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In 1988 John Carpenter, auteur of genre classics like Halloween, The Fog, Escape from New York, The Thing, and Big Trouble in Little China, wrote and directed a powerhouse cult classic movie called They Live. Starring professional wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper, the film crossed the sci-fi, horror, action, and lowbrow comedy genres while making a potent political statement about Ronald Reagan’s America and capitalism in the late Twentieth Century. The film follows an unemployed construction worker who discovers sunglasses that reveal the subliminal messages in our advertising and the alien invaders who are manipulating mankind’s fate. Now, thirty years after its release, what does the film have to say about our world?

Links:

Zizek on Ideology and They Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVwKjGbz60k
William Cavanaugh on Religious Violence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS2VVLpDyWE
William Cavanaugh on Consumerism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh22rJpL7zM&t

Special thanks to the band They Live Exclamation Point: Find them and their stuff at the following links:
Live show link:
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/They_Live_The_Movie_The_Band/

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/They-Live-Exclamation-Point-418270938256359/
Bandcamp:
https://tempdomain17.bandcamp.com/


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Episode 62: Quatermass and the Pit - "Nazi Space Bugs!"

3/21/2018

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An all-star lineup of geeks from the Christian Humanism Radio Network for this one. David Grubbs of the Christian Humanist Podcast and Charles Hackney of the Book of Nature Podcast both join Danny for a lively discussion about Quatermass and the Pit. The 6-part BBC miniseries aired in 1958/59 and has been an enduring classic in the sci-fi genre ever since. Furthermore, the influence of this series cannot be overstated, clearly inspiring artists like Stephen King and John Carpenter, and works like 2001, The X-Files, and a great deal of the “Ancient Alien” phenomenon. What makes this serial so effective? What are the philosophical and religious implications of its storyline? What are the connections with Dr. Who? What did Hammer Films do with these same tales? Are we all really just “Nazi Space Bugs” as Charles Hackney puts it?
Bonus: don’t forget to check out the upcoming Mount Aloysius College Teaching Conference! Details here: https://www.mtaloy.edu/teachingconference/
Links:
Quatermass and the Pit on YouTube
Euhemerism
The Book of the Damned by Charles Fort


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Episode 31: AI and transhumanism

2/22/2017

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Danny gets his Blade Runner on! For this episode, Micah Redding of the Christian Transhumanist Podcast joins the show for a discussion about the Singularity, AI, and Transhumanism. Using Jonathan Merritt's recent Atlantic article, "Is AI a Threat to Christianity," as a jumping-off point, Christian Humanist and Christian Transhumanist come together for a enlightening discussion about technology and humanity. Are our machines part of God's creation? Will our technological offspring require salvation? Is death necessary? These questions and many more.
Links:
"Is AI a Threat to Christianity?" by Jonathan Merritt
Micah Redding's Website (Including link to his TEDx talk)
The Christian Transhumanist Podcast Facebook Page
The Christian Transhumanist Association
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Episode 23: The Twilight Zone

11/2/2016

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It's Halloween again and the Christian Humanist Radio Network celebrates with a massive crossover event. Here, Danny Anderson talks with Carter Stepper and The Book of Nature Podcast's Todd Pedlar about a couple of episodes from the essential TV series, The Twilight Zone. Danny, Carter, and Todd discuss two classics from the series, "To Serve Man," and "The Obsolete Man." How do these shows fit into the dystopian tradition? What political position do they assert? How much fun can three people have talking about TV? Listen for answers to these questions and more!
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Episode 21: Science Fiction and Theology

10/9/2016

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​Once again, Sectarian Review explores the genre of Science Fiction. This time, Megan Von Bergen joins Danny for a conversation about how scifi engages with questions about God, creation, and theology. How can speculative fiction push people of faith to boldly go where no man has gone before? How can this type of story provide a safe space to try out dangerous ideas? Plus listen for Danny and Megan's recommendations. Also, if you'd like to write a review for the show's blog, visit www.sectarianreviewpodcast.com and check out the blog.

Update:
Megan has written a follow-up blog post about the show and its subject matter. You can read that here.
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episode 19: Science Fiction and Social Critique

9/12/2016

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In an episode from beyond the universe, Danny is joined by Carter Stepper for a stellar discussion about science fiction and its role in social critique. Our intrepid explorers discuss the genre’s history of social criticism, and aim their blasters at the work of such mind-bending authors as H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, and Philip K. Dick. In addition, find out what Dune has to say about messianic authoritarianism and learn about what we can learn about our own current flirtations with authoritarian politics. Plus, Uhura! And stay to the end for some recommendations from across the galaxy!
Topics:
  • Star Trek, Sci-Fi and the world of ideas
  • Pop culture as a gateway to academia
  • The pedagogy of science fiction
  • Imagining the future
  • Theology’s lack
  • The history of the genre
  • Frankenstein and the consequences of progress
  • The pulps
  • Michael Chabon and John Carter of Mars
  • Dystopias
  • “Serious scifi” and Positivism
  • New Wave - the Literary turn
  • The Pulps as Modernism
  • Unsettling the middlebrow
  • Asimov’s Foundation
  • An Imagination of Social Conscience
  • I, Robot
  • Star Trek and Civil Rights
  • Frank Herbert’s Dune and the Messianic Figure
  • Androids Dreaming of Electric Sheep
  • More Philip K. Dick - Ubik
  • Danny still hasn’t seen Inception, dude.
  • PKD’s existentialism
  • The Sexism of Science Fiction
  • Fandom
  • Star Trek and television’s first inter-racial kiss
  • Gamergate, fans, and fanboys
  • Recommendations
Links:
  • Right-Wing Activists Fail to Ruin the Hugo Awards - Matthew Dessem
  • The Inside Story of How John Carter Was Doomed by Its First Trailer
  • By Claude Brodesser-Akner
  • The Einstein Intersection - Samuel R. Delaney
  • Trekkies Documentary
  • Frank Herbert’s Dune
  • Jodorowsky’s Dune
  • Why are there Still So Few Women in the Sciences?
  • Enough With the Canon
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The Sectarian Review Podcast is a proud member of the Christian Humanist Radio Network. www.christianhumanist.org 
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