Sci-Fi Malady

Time to take a nostalgic trip to the commonwealth and the wasteland that is America in the Fallout universe. Corey, Nick and Scott take some time to review 2015's blockbuster video game Fallout 4, the beauty and enjoyability of the massive open world sandbox, ease of gameplay, as well as dive into some of the weightier ethical questions posed by the aims of the various factions. The crew also discusses, with some regret, the lack of power of the main story, as well as a brief discussion of where Fallout 4 ranks within the series. 

So settle in and crawl out through the fallout with the Sci-Fi Malady crew in Symptom 12, Wandering the Wasteland.

Hard science or soft science fiction. Interstellar or Star Wars? The Martian or Minority Report? Star Trek or 2001: A Space Odyssey? In some circles there is a fierce debate over this, among fans who want more science in their sci-fi. This week, Ragemaster and Scott discuss the differences between the two and the pros and cons of each. In the end, it doesn't matter if the tale is grounded in real science or overloaded with transporters and faster than light travel, what matters is if there is a compelling story that explores the human condition and entertains you. If story manages to do those things its good science fiction, regardless of how accurate or inaccurate the science is. 

Hard science or soft science fiction. Interstellar or Star Wars? The Martian or Minority Report? Star Trek or 2001: A Space Odyssey? In some circles there is a fierce debate over this, among fans who want more science in their sci-fi. This week, Ragemaster and Scott discuss the differences between the two and the pros and cons of each. In the end, it doesn't matter if the tale is grounded in real science or overloaded with transporters and faster than light travel, what matters is if there is a compelling story that explores the human condition and entertains you. If story manages to do those things its good science fiction, regardless of how accurate or inaccurate the science is. 

We have discussed that the place to go for quality science fiction that doesn't cater to the lowest common denominator are streaming sites like Netflix or Hulu. Spectral, a Netflix original film, is a prime of example of good, not great, entertaining science fiction. Spectral is an enjoyable, action packed, fast paced sci-fi romp, with a little bit of subtle examination of the human condition included. This week's episode of Sci-Fi Malady discusses Spectral and why we feel it is a cut above the films coming out of major Hollywood studios at this time. We also take a shot at JJ Abrams, because of course we do, he sucks. 

We have discussed that the place to go for quality science fiction that doesn't cater to the lowest common denominator are streaming sites like Netflix or Hulu. Spectral, a Netflix original film, is a prime of example of good, not great, entertaining science fiction. Spectral is an enjoyable, action packed, fast paced sci-fi romp, with a little bit of subtle examination of the human condition included. This week's episode of Sci-Fi Malady discusses Spectral and why we feel it is a cut above the films coming out of major Hollywood studios at this time. We also take a shot at JJ Abrams, because of course we do, he sucks. 

It is another Isolation Unit episode as due to scheduling we could not the entire crew together.  Grab your towel, it is time to discuss The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  This episode discusses the questions, is the reality we perceive the true reality, what is the meaning of life, the purpose of existence, and once again, is being happy the real goal of existence. 

Mix up a pan galactic gargle blaster and settle in for a discussion of Douglas Adams' classic Sci-Fi satire, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 

Don't Panic - The answer is always 42. 

It is another Isolation Unit episode as due to scheduling we could not the entire crew together.  Grab your towel, it is time to discuss The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  This episode discusses the questions, is the reality we perceive the true reality, what is the meaning of life, the purpose of existence, and once again, is being happy the real goal of existence. 

Mix up a pan galactic gargle blaster and settle in for a discussion of Douglas Adams' classic Sci-Fi satire, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 

Don't Panic - The answer is always 42. 

It is very possible that in the distant future science will figure out how to create a virtual world that looks, sounds, smells and feels like reality, in essence, The Matrix. Some current scientists and theorist believe that human memory is so similar to computer memory, that is a matter of time before your brain can be uploaded in a computer virtual reality construct, allowing one to live eternally in a digital world. 

This week the Sci-Fi Malady crew discusses the Black Mirror Episode San Junipero, a virtual world where the dead have uploaded their consciousness and the terminally ill visit weekly for five hours. We discuss first how in our opinion, this is an amazingly well written piece of science fiction and we wish there was more stories like this, and secondly, the moral and ethical implications of San Junipero. 

Is a virtual world real? What if you could experience love in that artificial world? Can you actually upload yourself into a computer, or would that just become an algorithm running as an independent program in a greater program? Are "you" really just your neural pathways and synapses, or is there that as of yet unidentified soul that gives us spark of life, a thing that can't be transferred into a computer? 

It is very possible that in the distant future science will figure out how to create a virtual world that looks, sounds, smells and feels like reality, in essence, The Matrix. Some current scientists and theorist believe that human memory is so similar to computer memory, that is a matter of time before your brain can be uploaded in a computer virtual reality construct, allowing one to live eternally in a digital world. 

This week the Sci-Fi Malady crew discusses the Black Mirror Episode San Junipero, a virtual world where the dead have uploaded their consciousness and the terminally ill visit weekly for five hours. We discuss first how in our opinion, this is an amazingly well written piece of science fiction and we wish there was more stories like this, and secondly, the moral and ethical implications of San Junipero. 

Is a virtual world real? What if you could experience love in that artificial world? Can you actually upload yourself into a computer, or would that just become an algorithm running as an independent program in a greater program? Are "you" really just your neural pathways and synapses, or is there that as of yet unidentified soul that gives us spark of life, a thing that can't be transferred into a computer? 

Retconning.  Necessary evil or abomination? Much debated by fans, and much maligned, retconning is sometimes necessary, and when done well, an effective story telling device. This week, Scott and the Ragemaster discuss when retconning is, in our opinion, properly used, and examples of when it has been horribly applied to gut the soul of a science fiction franchise. 

Note - please realize I reserve the right to retcon this description to address future criticism of the episode.