Is Starfleet a Military?
Rob McKenzie rejoins us to explore these dilemmas within the universes of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, and other sci-fi franchises.
September 28, 2021
Rob McKenzie rejoins us to explore these dilemmas within the universes of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, and other sci-fi franchises.
Are you legally responsible for the actions of your clone? What truly defines the self, and is it possible to upload or copy one’s consciousness? Rob McKenzie joins me for a deep dive into the realm of science fiction to explore the perplexing questions that arise from the concept of digitized consciousness.
What are the ethical responsibilities of a king? When do the ends justify the means? And what does it mean to create a relatable disabled character in a world of magic?
Rob McKenzie returns to discuss these questions and more as we get ready for Rhythm of War, the latest book in the Stormlight Archive. Whether you’re a huge fan of the books or have never heard of them, this discussion has plenty to enjoy (and no spoilers for Rhythm of War!).
Matthew invited OG Time Lord Rob McKenzie to explain it all. We look at different theories of time travel, and what make the most sense.
What could be more entertaining than applying an ethical system from one universe to our favorite characters from others? In this episode, we take the ethical color pie from Magic: The Gathering—which categorizes ethics based on motivations and mindsets rather than actions—and see how it aligns with other characters. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with MtG; if you enjoy discussing the ethical frameworks of characters like Tony Stark, Malcolm Reynolds, and Han Solo, this episode has something for you!
This week, we’re joined by returning guest Rob McKenzie, and first-time guest Dan McCreary to talk about the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. What is AI, and what do we mean by concepts like sentience? Why does so much sci-fi assume AI will be our enemy? And what is the moral value of robotic life?
One returning and one new guest join the besieged host Jacob Milicic to discuss the Knights Radiant from Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives, and which heroes and villains from the MCU and other media would best fit into their ranks.
Should life always come before death? Should we favor the journey over the destination? And can there be an episode of Superhero Ethics without Matthew? In this episode, Jacob is joined by special guest Rob McKenzie for a discussion of The Way of Kings, book 1 in the Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson.