Shows
SummationSummation 014 - Blind ShemmyIn this episode, people gamble their sanity and their body parts in Jack Dann's "Blind Shemmy."
The dog wanted to be in on the recording, so the barks and scratching sounds aren't coming from me.
Sources:
https://jackdann.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Dann
2024-02-0611 minSummationSummation 013 - Golden GateIn R.A. Lafferty's story, "Golden Gate," the main character revels each night in a bar more magical than the Moulin Rouge and Cheers put together, all the while plotting a murder.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/29/us/rafael-a-lafferty-87-science-fiction-writer.html?scp=15
https://locusmag.com/2016/03/paul-di-filippo-reviews-r-a-lafferty/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._A._Lafferty2023-12-1813 minSummationSummation 012 - The Sidon in the MirrorThe oppressive heat of the surface of a frozen story simmers under the surface of Connie Willis' "The Sidon in the Mirror."
Sources:
https://www.sfwa.org/2012/03/12/nebula-awards-interview-connie-willis/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Willis
http://www.sftv.org/cw/index.html
https://azsf.net/cwblog/
2023-11-1216 minSummationSummation 011 - CrypticIn this episode, Jack McDevitt's "Cryptic" takes hold of our face and forces us to look at a truth we wish we never had to see.
Computerphile episodes about cryptography:
Sources:
https://www.jackmcdevitt.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_McDevitt
2023-10-0918 minSummationSummation 010 - MultiplesIn this episode, we examine Robert Silverberg's story "Multiples" an allegory for the LGBTQ movement that I'm not sure quite works.
This episode is the first one I've published that is late. It won't be the last.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Silverberg
http://www.robert-silverberg.com/2023-09-2022 minSummationSummation 009 - Full Chicken RichnessIn this episode, we learn how enigmatic the ingredients label on a can of soup really can be in Avram Davidson's "Full Chicken Richness."
I had to read some transliterated Russian dialogue, so full apologies to everyone who speaks Russian.
Next time: Robert Silverberg's "Multiples."
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avram_Davidson
http://www.avramdavidson.org/
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2016-05-08/ty-article/.premium/1993-a-warrior-sci-fi-writer-and-orthodox-jew-dies/0000017f-f58c-d5bd-a17f-f7be11530000
2023-09-0310 minSummationSummation 008 - Manifest DestinyEvery once in awhile, you might find that the whole world has shifted under your feet. In Joe Haldeman's "Manifest Destiny" everyone is dusty and hot in a story of mystical prediction set against the Mexican-American War.2023-08-2714 minSummationSummation 007 - HardfoughtThis episode features Greg Bear's story "Hardfought," an unflinching examination of the risks societies take when they embark on war. Your heart will ache for everyone on all sides of the battle.
Sources:
https://gizmodo.com/obituary-greg-bear-sci-fi-author-1849806303
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Bear
2023-08-2014 minSummationSummation 006 - Man Mountain GentianThis episode focuses on Howard Waldrop's "Man Mountain Gentian." In the future when sumo has become a telekinetic sport - mind against mind - the competitors must defeat their opponents psychically as well as physically. Tension builds until you couldn't cut it with a katana in this masterful crossover between sport and science fiction.
You can buy a Kindle copy of The Year's Best Science Fiction: First Annual Collection on Amazon, or support local bookstores by scouring the shelves or checking out bookshop.org.
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:55) - Author Bio
(02:04) - Story...2023-08-1312 minSummationSummation 005 - Vulcan's ForgeIn this episode, master of science fiction and fantasy Poul Anderson provides an entry in the "mind of a loved one is preserved in a computer" genre.
I apologize for the attempt at an accent in the reading - it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Author Bio
(01:58) Story Summary
(03:34) Reading from Text
(06:29) My Thoughts
(10:36) Outro2023-08-0611 minSummationSummation 004 - Slow Birds
In this episode, Ian Watson's "Slow Birds" has all too many parallels with the current day concerns of misinformation and climate change. And, Amanda returns for another segment of I Quit - will she make it through the story this time? Find out!
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) Author Bio
(01:45) Story Summary
(03:43) Reading from Slow Birds
(6:17) I Quit
(16:34) Commentary
(18:25) Outro2023-07-3018 minSummationSummation 003 - Beyond the Dead ReefIn this episode, the author's biography is at least as interesting as the chilling deep-sea horror story, "Beyond the Dead Reef." Not recommended listening for a day at the beach.2023-07-2310 minSummationSummation 002 - Cicada QueenIn this episode, we discuss Bruce Sterling's "Cicada Queen," a tale of lust, ambition, and cyborg augmentation. And, the exciting debut of "I Quit!" How far in to a science fiction short story will my guest host make it before she can't take it anymore? Find out!
Note: there are some audio issues in the "I Quit" segment, but they get resolved after a minute or two.2023-07-1624 minSummationSummation 001 - SummationIn the first episode, we learn a little bit about Gardner Doizois' work as a writer and editor, and discuss the first "Summation" in The Year's Best Science Fiction. Find out which classic science fiction film Dozois absolutely decimates in his review.2023-07-0712 min