Alienating the Audience Podcast By Andrew Heaton cover art

Alienating the Audience

Alienating the Audience

By: Andrew Heaton
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About this listen

 Andrew Heaton and an army of nerds plunge deep, deep into films, books, and TV shows to ask: what's science fiction really about? What is The Twilight Zone really exploring? What are the underlying themes of Star Trek? What is the worldview of Star Wars? Also sometimes Heaton performs comedy on other planets. Science Fiction
Episodes
  • Women Can Electrocute You

    Women Can Electrocute You
    Jun 16 2025

    In Naomi Alderman’s “The Power” women all over the planet suddenly develop the ability to shoot electrical shocks, to the point of lethality.

    The natural order is entirely inverted, with men easily overpowered by women, and resulting societal tumult.

    Katherine Mangu-Ward joins to discuss.
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    52 mins
  • Time Loops

    Time Loops
    May 20 2025

    Getting thrown back to the same place in time, repeatedly, with little you can do about it has become an awesome sub genre in scifi. From Groundhog Day, to The Endless, we discuss time loops and their appeal in science fiction. Brian Brushwood joins to discuss.
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    1 hr
  • Holy Space Capitalism of the Feringi

    Holy Space Capitalism of the Feringi
    Apr 1 2025

    Star Trek’s Feringi are intergalactic traders, merchants, entrepreneurs, and feckless shysters. How did they get to be space capitalists when the Federation outgrew the concept of money altogether? Sean Finnerty joins to discuss Feringinar, the Rules of Acquisition, and the economy of the 24th century.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
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Alienating the Audience is on my regular podcast rotation, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves sci-fi. Funny and entertaining, I love that they dive into some familiar topics and franchises, but occasionally cover books or movies I haven’t yet explored. The best of both worlds.

For science fiction nerds

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Fresh take on the Professor Moriarty episodes have me digging out my old startrek dvd's. keep up the good work

You did blow my mind

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I appreciate listening to this podcast, hosted by someone who brings a refreshing new take on various topics related to science fiction, yet which can also be taken beyond the world of science fiction. Case in point, the episode “Hollywood sermonizing vs. Good storytelling”, from January 19, 2023. The title alone is a perfect encapsulation of what’s going on across a lot of genres. This podcast is great for science fiction fans as well as those who might not be into sci-fi but who are critical thinkers who appreciate a host who is one too.

A Different Take, worth a listen.

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