Episode 533: Needs Improvement

The Science Faction Podcast

REAL LIFE

Devon is dealing with a sick family and Ben is wiped, despite finally having a chance to rest. Ben has been covering for his boss and teaching a beginning HTML class to kids. Most of the kids are awesome but some are “chaos gremlins.” Ben also just drove to Burbank and back for a roller derby tournament. Ben had to be the father to 15 kids. Ben’s wife had to stay home for work and to take care of a geriatric cat. For Steven this was conference week so his kids got off school early. He forced them to play outside with the extra time. Steven’s kids have been “bruh-ing.” Steven has jumped back into Caves and Qud. (https://www.cavesofqud.com/). It’s a fantastic, weird, fun game. Steven is reading Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, which is… interesting. Steven also built a Lego Nano Gauntlet.

FUTURE OR NOW

First up, Mothership RPG (check it out here), the award-winning sci-fi horror game where surviving outer space is just the beginning. With streamlined character creation and easy session prep, it’s perfect for both new and experienced players. Steven’s even offering to run a game for our listeners—join our Discord if you’re in! Next, Ben explores a breakthrough in carbon capture with UC Berkeley’s COF-999 powder, which removes CO2 from the air at record rates and promises a more energy-efficient future. Read about it here. Lastly, Devon dives into panpsychism, the philosophical idea that consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe. Hear his take, complete with debates from thinkers like Sean Carroll and Philip Goff. Want to learn more? Check out the Wikipedia entry or this intriguing Mind Chat video.

BOOK CLUB

Renee has been watching Prodigy. We mention needing to discuss the new episodes of Lower Decks and the short film Unification.

The High Test by Fredrik Pohl (1983)

Originally published in Asimov Science Fiction Magazine. A story of a man working as a driving instructor on a distant planet. He’s actually a flight instructor teaching humans and aliens how to fly their spaceships. A cozy slice of life according to Ben. According to Devon the story felt like a product of the 50s despite being written in the 80s. Was the inspiration for this story: what if an alien needed to pass a driving test before attempting to destroy humans?

Next Week

Big Oxygen by exurb1a