Unknown Reasons

By James & Nate

We read science-fiction and fantasy as philosophy so you don't have to.... more

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FAQs about Unknown Reasons:

How many episodes does Unknown Reasons have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.

Unknown Reasons episodes:

January 13, 2023 Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy (1976)
Mark and James talk about the feminist sci-fi classic. We cover the utopian ideas in the book and give praise and criticism to its take on gender, parenthood, mental health, nature, and more.
Follow James on TikTok at @unknownreasonspodcast

Email us at [email protected]

Music: Signal to Noise by Scott Buckley
...more
1h 28min
May 02, 2022 "The Ones Who Stay and Fight" by N.K. Jemisin (2020)
Part 2 of the Omelas series. Nate and I discuss the ambiguous utopia that is Um-Helat. Topics include brainwashing and the dangers of conspiracy theories.

Read the story HERE!

The documentary about Edward Bernays is The Century of the Self by Adam Curtis

Email us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram at @unknownreasonspod

Music: Scott Buckley "Signal to Noise"
...more
1h 6min
March 26, 2022 "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin (1973)
Nate and James discuss utilitarianism, capitalism, and joy in the context of Le Guin's influential story. Part 1 of a series on the Omelas-verse.

Read it here

Email us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram at @unknownreasonspod

Music: Scott Buckley "Signal to Noise"
...more
39min
March 07, 2022 "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison (1967)
Nate and James talk about evil AIs, evil gods, and evil billionaires.

Read the story

Email us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram at @unknownreasonspod

...more
1h 2min
December 30, 2021 "The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington" by P. Djèlí Clark (2018)
Nate and I get real on the issues of race, slavery, and what you call a group of pirates. (I don't know why I couldn't think of the word crew).

The story can be found here: https://firesidefiction.com/the-secret-lives-of-the-nine-negro-teeth-of-george-washington

Read the essay Clark wrote on writing the story: https://disgruntledharadrim.com/2018/02/27/on-slavery-magic-and-the-negro-teeth-of-george-washington/

Email us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram at @unknownreasonspod
...more
1h 19min
October 24, 2021 "A Song for Lya" by George R.R. Martin
Nate and James discuss another short one by George R.R. Martin. We cover topics such as the self and what defines a cult.

Email us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram at @unknownreasonspod

Next time we'll be reading "The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington"
by Phenderson Djèlí Clark which can be found here: https://firesidefiction.com/the-secret-lives-of-the-nine-negro-teeth-of-george-washington
...more
52min

FAQs about Unknown Reasons:

How many episodes does Unknown Reasons have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.