Dad and Riah’s wedding day

Today I will be talking through some different definitions of science fiction and fantasy to see where they differ and intersect, while also looking at some of the more prevalent examples of both genres in popular media. I will be examining how both Tolkien's Middle-earth and the Marvel universe have affected society in different ways, from broader cultural impacts to economic shifts resulting from these examples of fantasy and sci-fi.

This podcast series is an in-depth analysis of Emily St. John Mandel’s novel titled Station Eleven. Today I am again joined by my mom as we tackle the topic of radical futurisms in relation to Station Eleven, in addition to some other notable works of speculative fiction. Together we will be discussing the applicability of feminist futurism to Station Eleven, as well as the Handmaid’s Tale and The Parable of the Sower. I will also attempt to analyze both The Parable of the Sower and Station Eleven through the lens of Marxist futurism, while trying to help my mom understand some Marxist concepts a little better as well.

This podcast series will be an in-depth analysis of Emily St. John Mandel’s novel titled Station Eleven. This episode I am joined by my mom, who introduced me to Station Eleven the show, and then recently finished reading the novel with me. Today we will be asking whether the 20-year post-pandemic alternative future presented in Station Eleven better fits the definition of a utopia or dystopia, and also talk about the utopian and dystopian aspects of the story within a story that is the graphic novel, Station Eleven. We’ll also grapple with how differing material conditions, time, and other factors can impact someone’s perspective on what a utopia or dystopia means to them. Finally, we’ll discuss some of the solarpunk themes throughout Station Eleven’s post-pandemic future, and connect that to the solarpunk elements of today’s post-pandemic world.

This podcast series will be an in-depth analysis of Emily St. John Mandel's novel titled Station Eleven. This first episode examines how Station Eleven can be viewed as not just an alternative future, but an example of an alternative past and present as well. Relating the story back to the current COVID-19 pandemic, other concepts such as alternative geographies will also be explored for both the novel and television adaptation.