A French philosopher is certain his ideas will help human beings evolve -- not just emotionally or psychologically. We will start to grow tails. And that inspires his disciples to start a socialist commune in the Wild West of 1850s Texas. Were utopians the first science fiction thinkers? Featuring Julia Barton and Eric Rabkin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

A French philosopher is certain his ideas will help human beings evolve -- not just emotionally or psychologically. We will start to grow tails. And that inspires his disciples to start a socialist commune in the Wild West of 1850s Texas. Were utopians the first science fiction thinkers? Featuring Julia Barton and Eric Rabkin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A French philosopher is certain his ideas will help human beings evolve -- not just emotionally or psychologically. We&nbsp;will start to grow tails. And that inspires&nbsp;his disciples to start a socialist commune in the Wild West of 1850s Texas. Were&nbsp;utopians the first science fiction thinkers? Featuring Julia Barton and Eric Rabkin.&nbsp;Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

A Perfect World

Imaginary Worlds sounds like what would happen if NPR went to ComicCon and decided that’s all they ever wanted to cover. Host Eric Molinsky spent over a decade working as a public radio reporter and producer, and he uses those skills to create thoughtful, sound-rich episodes about science fiction, fantasy, and other genres of speculative fiction. In this award-winning podcast, Eric talks with filmmakers, screenwriters, novelists, comic book artists, game designers, and anyone who works in the field of make-believe about how they craft their worlds. He also talks with academics and fans about why we suspend our disbelief, and what happens if the spell is broken. Imaginary worlds may be set on distant planets or parallel dimensions, but they are crafted here on Earth, and they’re always about us and our lived experiences.

Share A Perfect World

Sign up to save your podcasts

A Perfect World

A Perfect World

More shows like Imaginary Worlds

Radiolab

99% Invisible

The Allusionist

the memory palace

Science Vs

Sidedoor

Twenty Thousand Hertz

What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law

Endless Thread

Decoder Ring

Articles of Interest

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Search Engine

Hyperfixed