Galaxy Podcast

01/04/2021

Hey Galaxy! listeners,
We've all been dealing with various life and family events, and because of that we'll need to push off our next episode for a couple of weeks. Thanks for understanding, and for your listenership.

18/03/2021

n between books, we've decided to take a moment and talk about one of our favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Measure of a Man." Given all the conversations we have had about Asimovian robots and the question of robotic personhood, this episode of Star Trek is a great conversation piece to further examine those questions, with our beloved Data's future and agency on the line. Enjoy this episode, which also starts off with an important announcement.

Link to the episode in the comments below!

17/03/2021

In between books, we've decided to take a moment and talk about one of our favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Measure of a Man." Given all the conversations we have had about Asimovian robots and the question of robotic personhood, this episode of Star Trek is a great conversation piece to further examine those questions, with our beloved Data's future and agency on the line. Enjoy this episode, which also starts off with an important announcement.

03/03/2021

We come to the end of our discussion on Foundation on this episode, where we talk about Part 5, The Merchant Princes. How has the Foundation changed in the decades since it began? Does it look like what we expected? Check the comments below for a link to listen at our website, where you can also find links to subscribe. The problem is yours. Go To It!

03/03/2021

The conclusion to Foundation is a mixed bag for us. It is stronger than the previous part of the book, and yet it still feels a little removed from the flow and pacing that characterizes the book's first half. On this episode we talk about Part 5, "The Merchant Princes." We discuss the way in which the Foundation has changed since the days of Salvor Hardin, the application of the mystery genre to this reading selection, and some guesses as to where Asimov's narrative universe is heading from here.----more----
P.S. Apologies in advance for the audio issues that were encountered in this recording. At least it's an uncommon occurrence.

17/02/2021

The second half of Foundation starts to lose a little steam in our opinion. But the Seldon plan continues nonetheless! On this episode, we talk about Part 4, "The Traders." We share some of our qualms with where the plotline is heading, and we talk about slippery ethics of commerce as a lever of power. Check out the comments below for a link to our episode! And at our website you can find several subscribe links, so that you can listen on your app of choice.

17/02/2021

While the Foundation is put on the map by bigshots like Salvor Hardin, it wouldn't get far without the efforts of the everyday Joes. In this case, that means the traders, who venture out beyond Foundation territory and introduce advanced technology, as a gateway to expanding the Foundation's sphere of influence.
On this episode we discuss Part 4 of Foundation, "The Traders". We talk about money and trade as a source of power, as well as the way that seemingly everyone, at some point or another, resorts to a bending of the rules in order to get what they want.

13/02/2021

Ok, let's change it up. What is your LEAST favorite Isaac Asimov novel?

08/02/2021

Trying to find an Isaac Asimov novel to read, after I just finished another Isaac Asimov novel.

07/02/2021

What's your favorite novel by Isaac Asimov?

03/02/2021

Our latest episode is now available to stream and download. We're covering part 3 of Isaac Asimov's Foundation, and the creative but discomforting way that Salvor Hardin gains mastery over the Four Kingdoms. Check the comments below for a link to our website, where you can listen for free and find links to subscribe!

03/02/2021

On this episode, we discuss Part 3 of Foundation, "The Mayors". The story of Salvor Hardin reaches its climactic moment, as he manipulates the societal forces of the four kingdoms, and ensures that Anacreon will never again constitute a threat to the Foundation. We discuss religion as a source of societal power, how well that concept is handled in the book, and contemporary ways in which such power is used.

01/02/2021

It pays to be a step ahead of your enemy. But Salvor Hardin was so many steps ahead of his enemy, that they never even realized their dire situation, until it was much too late. Hardin specialized in the long game. After all, he learned from the player of the longest long game in history.

This Wednesday, tune in for our next episode of Galaxy!, and we'll be talking about Part 3 of Foundation, "The Mayors." We'll talk about Salvor Hardin's development as a character, and we'll discuss the discomforting way that the Foundation utilizes a religious system to gain mastery over its hostile neighbors. See comments below to check out our website, and stay one step ahead by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app!

26/01/2021

Here's a new little chunk of music for the podcast. It's called The Traders, named for a part of Foundation that we'll be talking about in an upcoming episode. Help me classify just what kind of music this is, as I have been having trouble isolating it. Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/TV8jA

Listen to The Traders by galaxypodcastmusic on

25/01/2021

Thanks to listener Chris Sedtal for sending this our way. It's a 1962 television adaptation of Isaac Asimov's story, "Little Lost Robot". We recently did an series of episodes on Asimov's classic I, Robot, and this chapter was one of our favorites. Check this video out in all of its campy glory. And if you haven't yet, check us out too! Hit up our page and head to our website too! Link is in the comments below.

https://youtu.be/I-RX1GT4GT0

Introduced by Boris Karloff....From the series "Out of this World"

20/01/2021

The latest episode in our suite on Foundation is now available to stream and download! On this one we talk about Part 2, "The Encyclopedists", and the rise of the Foundation's most decisive hero, Salvor Hardin. Tap the post and check the comments for a link to listen, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

20/01/2021

Desperate times call for desperate measures. As the Foundation faces its first major crisis, a power struggle will break out between those who are dedicated to the Encyclopedia, and a man who knows that it is time for the Foundation to grow up. But in his desire to lead the people of Terminus, how far will he go to achieve his goals? And how far is too far? Today, we talk about Part 2 of Foundation, "The Encyclopedists."

09/01/2021

"The logs were ignited at long distance through a trifling diversion of the energy beam that fed the public buildings of the city. The same button that controlled the ignition first dumped the ashes of the previous fire, and allowed for the entrance of fresh wood. —It was a thoroughly domesticated fireplace, you see."

-From "The Evitable Conflict", by Isaac Asimov

06/01/2021

Our episode on Book 1 of Foundation is now available!
Check comments below for a direct link, and better yet, subscribe! Available wherever you get your podcasts.

06/01/2021

When you think Isaac Asimov, what book comes to mind most readily? For many, that would be Foundation. On this episode we begin our analysis of what has been considered one of THE quintessential science fiction novels, and has been an inspiration to countless readers and sci-fi creators. We talk about about Book 1, "The Psychohistorians," and we discuss the concept of Galactic Empire, the extent to which Psychohistory is realistic (or hopelessly doomed to fail), and how we respond to figures of authority and expertise when our interests are on the line.----more----
Also, we briefly discuss Cliodynamics and the far-out (or are they???) theories of Peter Turchin. Here is a link to an article from Nov 2020 (around when we recorded this episode) that talks about Turchin and his predictions of societal collapse:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/can-history-predict-future/616993/

06/01/2021

Our next episode is going to be available in a matter of hours. And it is a big one, because we are going to start our suite of episodes on Foundation. We're digging deep into what is arguably the most significant Asimov novel, talking about an expanding and exciting narrative universe, literary corollaries to the collapse of the Roman Empire, the concept of Psychohistory, and so much more. Dive in with us! Check us out at our page and from there to our website, where all our episodes are available to stream. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

30/12/2020

We here at Galaxy! have all had a nice holiday season. Time spent with family, remembering what is really important in life. And with those things in mind, consider the next week a holiday break of sorts for us. We would normally be releasing an episode today, but in light this time of year, things just aren't ready yet. But not to worry; we will pick up again on January 6th and resume our two week schedule.

And get ready. Next up is FOUNDATION.

28/12/2020

Some new musical offerings for the podcast. This one is called Zeroth.

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/nXzLb

Listen to Zeroth by galaxypodcastmusic on

18/12/2020

Better late than never! Our first ever Christmas episode is now available to stream and download. We're taking a look at the fun little story "Christmas on Ganymede" from Asimov's early writing career. While at first it doesn't appear to be very significant, we think it offers commentary on the stresses and commercializing of Christmas. Hear us talk about our Christmas traditions, and how we deal (or plan on dealing) with the idea of Santa Claus. Link in the comments below. Merry Christmas!

18/12/2020

Can a podcast about Asimov's sci-fi swing a Christmas episode? You bet it can! We talk about Asimov's early story "Christmas on Ganymede," a corny, short and sweet Christmas misadventure. Based on the themes of the story, we talk about how Christmas can turn from a joy into a source of exhaustion, as well as how we handle the idea of Santa Claus with our kids. Also, stay tuned for a special announcement during this episode. AND WARNING: Do you listen to Galaxy! with your kids? And do your kids believe in Santa Clause? If so, you may want to give this a listen before they do.

16/12/2020

Well folks, it's that special time of year, and you know what I'm talking about...Finals Week! That's right, we are busy little elves finishing up our courses for the semester, and so we will be a little behind on our next episode. But not to worry; it will come out soon.

15/12/2020

Pebble in the Sky (for which we just did a suite of episodes) begins with a mysterious incident at a nuclear research facility which hurls the main character far into the future. Asimov accounts for the incident through the explanation that nuclear physics still has many unknowns (i.e. it's a convenient plot device). But the near nuclear accident in the story is eerily reminiscent of some real life tragic accidents involving a big hunk of plutonium, referred to popularly as the demon core. Check out the video (NOT our creation) linked in the comments below!

Oh, and I hope your holiday spirit is geared up, a new episode is coming soon...

03/12/2020

Based on the themes of a soon to come episode: Let's talk about Asimov's "Psychohistory"
How does it work? Would it actually work? What are the obstacles to such a science? Are there any present day corollaries to it?

02/12/2020

Our newest episode is out! We are finishing off our detailed look at Isaac Asimov's first-published volume of the Galactic Empire Trilogy, Pebble in the Sky. The link in the comments below will take you right to it, and you can also subscribe there, via your favorite podcast app, so that our episodes will come to YOU!

The best is yet to be!

02/12/2020

Today we finish off our discussion of Pebble in the Sky. Asimov's first published volume of the Galactic Empire Trilogy offers a fascinating story of time unexpected time travel, and deals with themes like how we make big life transitions, and how we overcome prejudices and assumptions about others. In this episode, we talk particularly about how truly making a new place ones home involves developing a sense of responsibility, ownership, and care for that place. We also investigate the romance aspect of the book between the characters of Bel and Pola, and discuss its implications for how Asimov develops and uses his characters.

24/11/2020

Imagine suddenly stumbling deep into the future, to find a whole inhabited galaxy at your fingertips to explore. Well, that's the premise of Pebble in the Sky, the latest Asimov novel that we are exploring on Galaxy! Link to listen for free to our latest episode in the comments below. The best is yet to be!

19/11/2020

After a couple-week hiatus, we have successfully jumped into the future, to deliver to you our first episode on the novel Pebble in the Sky. This was the first novel in Asimov's Empire Trilogy to be written, and we think it is a fascinating exploration of so many topics, like immigration, marginalization, coping with change, and self actualization. It also adds an important building block to Asimov's narrative universe: a Galactic Empire. Check out our latest episode, available now. Link to listen for free in the comments below. Thanks!

18/11/2020

Pebble in the Sky is a fantastic example of how sci-fi examines important questions by moving them out of their normal context, so that they can be seen in a new light. In our first episode on this volume of the Galactic Empire Trilogy, we focus on themes like the struggles of the immigrant, the plight of the marginalized, and the ways in which value is ascribed to human life.----more----Also, be sure to check out the fine podcasts we are featuring in this episode's ad rolls:
Star Wars Escape Pod: https://starwarsescapepod.podbean.com/
Firebreathing Kittens: http://www.firebreathingkittenspodcast.com

24/10/2020

Galaxy! is taking a short break. We'll be skipping the next regular release date, and we'll be to release our next episode on 11/18. Thanks to everyone who has listened so far, and subscribed, etc.

Until then, here's a fun question for you: What are your favorite AND least favorite Asimov Novels? And in as much of a non-spoiler way possible, why?

21/10/2020

Over the weekend, we did our first live episode (with some minor hiccups) through Podbean, our podcast media host. If you missed it, no worries; we'll do more in the future. In the meantime, our canned version of the episode is now available! We offer our wrap-up thoughts on I, Robot before moving on to the next book, and we also take the time to share some social media comments and express our thanks to the folks in 26 different countries that have tuned into the podcast so far. head to https://www.galaxypodcast.com/e/robot-wrap-up-our-first-live-episode/ to hear it, and don't forget to subscribe so that you don't miss an episode.

21/10/2020

We talked a lot about the individual stories from I, Robot. But what does the book, disjointed as it is, communicate as a whole. We share our final thoughts on the book before putting it to bed and moving on to the next one. We also share some of the social media responses we've gotten to the conversation starters we've put out there.
Thanks to everyone who has been listening. This is our first live episode, and in it we take a little time to express our appreciation to everyone who has been listening from around the world (26 countries so far!)

13/10/2020

Check out this video for details on our upcoming live episode. As mentioned, you can listen live by signing up for a free account at podbean.com (our media hosting site) and getting the Podbean app (available for iOS and Android). You can head to galaxypodcast.com from your phone and tap on the bar at the bottom of the page to download the app. Follow Galaxy! on Podbean and you'll get a handy reminder notification the moment we go live at 4:30pm EST on Sunday 10/18. Hope to see you there!

07/10/2020

As we begin to transition toward the next book in our Asimov journey, we wanted to take some time and talk a little about Asimov's life. Like how he grew up, what got him into science fiction, and a general look at how his career unfolded. By looking into this, we hope to add a little context to the books we are reading, by seeing how Asimov's life informs his ideas.
In case you're interested, here are some links to Asimov's autobiographies (yes he wrote more than one):
In Memory Yet Green - https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Yet-Green-Autobiography-1920-1954/dp/038513679X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=in+memory+yet+green&qid=1602099034&sr=8-1

In Joy Still Felt - https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Still-Felt-Autobiography-1954-1978/dp/0385155441/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=In+joy+still+felt&qid=1602099126&sr=8-1

I, Asimov - https://www.amazon.com/I-Asimov-Memoir-Isaac/dp/055356997X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=I%2C+Asimov&qid=1602099185&sr=8-1

It's Been a Good Life - https://www.amazon.com/Been-Good-Life-Isaac-Asimov-ebook/dp/B002FU5OIQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=It%27s+been+a+good+life&qid=1602102731&sr=8-1

07/10/2020

Better late than never. Our latest episode has now dropped. Take a listen and hear a little about the life of Isaac Asimov.