Moby Dick — Even if You Never Read It
So many of the stories we love use Moby Dick as the example of an obsessive focus on a goal, but do you know the actual story? Moby Dick expert and all around geek Ilse joins me to talk about this book and what it has to say about disability, queerness, race, class, and so many other topics that remain relevant today.
Discworld: The Watch
Do you enjoy your medieval satire with a dose of laughter, served alongside incisive social commentary? Eager to understand what this Discworld thing is that everyone seems to be talking about? Interested in Sam Vimes’s Boots Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness? Rob McKenzie joins me to unpack Discworld, with a special emphasis on The Watch sequence of books.
Newsies: Singing and Dancing on the Picket Line
The 1899 newsboy strike is more than a historical footnote; it offers valuable lessons that resonate with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strikes of today. How does one combat giant corporations that hold sway over the channels of communication? And perhaps unexpectedly, what role can singing and dancing play in the solidarity and spirit of a picket line? Becky Allen and I tackle these topics and more as we analyze the 1992 film Newsies.
Nimona Says Trans Rights
Nimona is not just a tale but a profound narrative that explores the perils of fear, the risks of blind trust in authority, and the liberating force of embracing one’s truth. Beau and I delve into the significance of this story as a queer and trans allegory, discussing the strength found in personal authenticity and the importance of valuing our own wisdom and experiences above rigid dogma and tradition.
Batman: Under the Red Hood
In the gripping narrative of Batman: Under the Red Hood, we’re compelled to question the impact Batman has on the young individuals he brings into the fold as Robins. Does his tutelage ultimately protect or endanger them? Could the Joker’s theory of “One Bad Day” be more catastrophic for one of the Robins than for Bruce himself? And where does justice end and vengeance begin? Paul and I explore these themes, taking cues from Batman: Under the Red Hood and Death in the Family Part I as our starting points for this complex discussion.
Bingers Assemble: Raiders of the Lost Ark
I’ve been revisiting all of the Indiana Jones movies on the Bingers Assemble podcast, and I’m excited to share the first installment with you! Once the new movie is released at the end of June, we’ll bring the discussion here to Superhero Ethics to specifically address Indiana Jones and the ethics of archaeology. In the meantime, head over to Bingers Assemble for our comprehensive movie coverage.
Robots & Ethics & AI … Oh My!
Time to delve into the realm of robots! Our discussion ignited with a Micro SF quote, which segued into a broader conversation about AI and its implications in our current world.
Across the Spider-Verse
Let’s delve into Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse! In the midst of Will’s and my exuberant praise for the film’s excellence, we explore ethical conundrums such as the clash between Miguel and Miles, the film’s handling of representation, and the extensive comic book connections that enrich the movie. For further comic book commentary, listen to his podcast, Hype […]
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Animal Rights and Listener Feedback
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sparked important discussions on animal treatment, and Paul Hoppe joins me to delve into these topics. This episode was inspired by listener feedback, and we also tackle a listener’s question regarding the adage “with great power comes great responsibility,” especially as it pertains to the dynamic between podcasters and their audience.
The Last of Us Part II: the Video Game
My partner and I played through The Last of Us Part II, and Danielle and Matthew joined me to discuss the profound ethical questions the story raises. We’ve detailed the issues and story for anyone to follow along, but be warned: this conversation contains spoilers!