Episode 3 Discussion Thread

'Enjoying the show so far' by Kirath
Submitted on 2009-02-15 21:33:44 CST
Always been a fan of post-apocalyptic movies and books. I'm really enjoying the show. It might even inspire me to join one of the those new MMO's. Keep up the great work, I look forward to them.


'Another Enjoyable Episode' by tpajeek
Submitted on 2009-02-16 16:59:45 CST
Guys, you turned out another fun episode. The hour goes by way too quickly! You either need to make them longer or more often I tell you!! :)

Seriously though, I think the only thing I would like to see adjusted is to move listener email to earlier in the show. It is nice to get the feedback involvement of your audience early on, then move on to main content. It sort of draws you in more when you are hearing the words of fellow fans. Just my $.02.

John, thanks for the recap on Freak Angels, even though I have been reading since you mentioned it on your own podcast, Limited Edition.

Shawn & Jonathan, your podcast has really gotten me back into Fallout 3! With all the talk about mods, DLC, and general enthusiasm... I just had to start it over again! Thank You!



'Future Shock' by Jon
Submitted on 2009-02-17 11:07:18 CST
Ah, Terminator Future Shock. Now that was a nice game. If the new game is along those lines then I'll be happy. Well it'll be a film tie in game so it'll be bad, but we can hope, right?


'Great show' by Julie
Submitted on 2009-02-17 12:28:46 CST
Great show-keep up the great work (I have a ruler; don't let the show fade). In regard to Hellgate London I still have hopes ad while the servers have shut down (which the article you link to talks about) the owner of the IP still seems intent on opening Hellgate free to play. But you know what they say - "hope springs eternal".

Great show.

Julie


'Your definition of post apocalyptic' by Pufnstuf
Submitted on 2009-02-17 18:40:09 CST
OK first I wanted to say OMG you said Threads on this podcast. Looking forward to your assesment of it.

However, I am asking you again on your definition of the genre.

Where do movies like Logan's Run, the Handmaid's Tale, Gattaca, and Soylent Green fall.

None of these are truly post disaster though each highlights a crisis: population, religion fanaticism, perfect genetics, and food. All are real fears and each of these movies touch on 'dystopia' yet none are really post a disaster (well maybe Logan's Run).

These are all also wonderful social commentaries and I had always put in this genre.

Am I offbase here?


'On 'I Am Legend,' and more' by Sanjuro
Submitted on 2009-02-17 18:59:21 CST
Regarding 'I Am Legend,' if you are a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction then this is a must read. Also, in case you didnt know, the Will Smith picture was the third time this book as been adapted to film - and in my opinion the worst adaptation. It was preceded by' Omega Man' (1971) starring Charlton Heston, and 'The Last Man On Earth' (1964) starring Vincent Price - the later being the most faithful to the novel. I must say that 'Omega Man' is a must see for anyone who is interested in post-apocalyptic / dystopian film. This was one of three dystopian films Heston starred in (Planet of the Apes, Omega Man, Soylent Green). Younger folks may find the film campy but I think its classic of the genre.

Also, a rare, little known, and hard to find classic of the genre is The Ultimate Warrior (1975), starring Yul Brynner. Another must see IMO.

And lastly, Id like to make a small comment about the appeal of post-apocalyptic fiction/film/games. I think much of this is rooted in the narrative of the American West. In many ways the elements of post-apocalyptic stories mirror our ideas of the American frontier and West. The first Mad Max film is very much a story of frontier town lawman pushed to the breaking point and going to extremes to deal with bandits. Self reliance, harsh conditions, semi-lawless society, everyone armed, bandits and wild peoples, strange landscapes, etc. All these are elements of the Western narrative and post-apocalyptic narrative - and they have a universal appeal.

Anyway, enjoying the show immensely.

- Sanjuro


'More on appeal of post-apocalyptic stuff' by Sanjuro
Submitted on 2009-02-17 19:19:35 CST
One more thing Id like to add. I think all cultures, though out history, have had stories, tales, myths, visions, nightmares, or the big END. The finish and destruction of their world - but in American culture we not only dwell on the END but we obsess with the AFTER. I think this again has to do with the American 'character' and the narrative of self reliance and independence that is such a large part of the American psyche.

So, not only do we have films like Fail Safe (1964) and Dr. Stangelove (1964) which are really about then end or how the end could happen, but we have all the other films and books that focus on what we do after - and this I think is really an American take on the 'end of times' story.



'More on appeal of post-apocalyptic stuff' by Sanjuro
Submitted on 2009-02-17 19:29:55 CST
One more thing Id like to add. I think all cultures, though out history, have had stories, tales, myths, visions, nightmares, or the big END. The finish and destruction of their world - but in American culture we not only dwell on the END but we obsess with the AFTER. I think this again has to do with the American 'character' and the narrative of self reliance and independence that is such a large part of the American psyche.

So, not only do we have films like Fail Safe (1964) and Dr. Stangelove (1964) which are really about then end or how the end could happen, but we have all the other films and books that focus on what we do after - and this I think is really an American take on the 'end of times' story.



'Sorry double post' by Sanjuro
Submitted on 2009-02-17 19:31:33 CST
Sorry double post ... and I wish there was a way to edit these comments after the fact! I always catch mistakes once I post. Brent ... how bout it man, post editing please.


'The END movies' by Pufnstuf
Submitted on 2009-02-17 20:32:40 CST
Actually the best 'The END' movie from the 1950s was On the Beach with Gregory Peck and a young Ava Gardner. What made it so poignant is it takes place in Austrailia after the whole world is gone. I especially liked it because it was very shocking (like Threads but in a 150s 60s way)

I actually live near where part of the movie is filmed (the nuclear plant near Camp Pendleton)... I still get a foreboding feeling passing it...



'Freak Angels' by CindyL
Submitted on 2009-02-19 17:53:10 CST
Thanks to John for featuring this web comic, I love it!! ^_^


'When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth' by robg
Submitted on 2009-02-22 12:56:58 CST
"When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth" from Stephen King's Watelands collection, mentioned in the podcast, is by Cory Doctorow. The story is part of his short story collection called Overclocked. He provides a free download in many formats (including MP3) of the stories at his his website if anyone is interested in reading or listening to it. http://craphound.com/overclocked/download/

Great podcast! I'm hooked!


'P.S.' by Julie
Submitted on 2009-02-24 17:19:47 CST
How about a little more discussion on what you gents are expecting out of Fallen Earth?

Julie


'I hate you' by Ceadrick
Submitted on 2009-02-24 19:29:28 CST
After listening to your three shows I had to go out and buy Fallout 3. I played the first two back in the day :) I didn't want to spend 50 bucks but you made me! Now I can't eat for a week, grrrrr. Just kidding. I look forward to playing it.
Great show,

Ceadrick (Seed-rick)

PS Freak Angels is pretty cool. Free is AWESOME!


'Generic Post Title' by Julie
Submitted on 2009-02-24 20:33:40 CST
In my case it was a matter of having the extra cash to afford the game. However I found the difference between what Bethesda did with this game, and all the other single player games I have played (both console and pc) just amazing - I even ended up writing an article for Virgin Worlds about it. While I haven't played the first two that can be an asset in that I don't find my opinion of Fallout 3 shaded by expectations from having played one and two.

I have been having a great time even to the exclusion of mmos lately (and that is saying something for me)

Having played it for about a week now I have one burning question...

Where are thunderdom and barter town (and please don't tell me Megaton - I blew it up).

Julie


'Are we prepared?' by Pufnstuf
Submitted on 2009-02-28 00:09:39 CST
Very good debate on video games preparing children:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/are_violent_video_games