Episodi

  • Short Science Fiction Collection 043-Various

    Short Science Fiction Collection 043-Various
    Nov 10 2026
    Short Science Fiction Collection 043.

    Science Fiction is speculative literature that generally explores the consequences of ideas which are roughly consistent with nature and scientific method, but are not facts of the author’s contemporary world. The stories often represent philosophical thought experiments presented in entertaining ways. Protagonists typically “think” rather than “shoot” their way out of problems, but the definition is flexible because there are no limits on an author’s imagination.

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    6 ore e 33 min
  • Last Evolution-John Wood Campbell, Jr

    Last Evolution-John Wood Campbell, Jr
    Nov 9 2026
    Last Evolution by John Wood Campbell, Jr..

    John Campbell Jr. gives us a story about evolution. What will be man's ultimate evolution? What will he look like 100,000 years in the future? And who will be his children? "It was 2538 years After the Year of the Son of Man. For six centuries mankind had been developing machines. The Ear-apparatus was discovered as early as seven hundred years before. The Eye came later, the Brain came much later. But by 2500, the machines had been developed to think, and act and work with perfect independence. Man lived on the products of the machine, and the machines lived to themselves very happily, and contentedly. Machines are designed to help and cooperate. It was easy to do the simple duties they needed to do that men might live well. And men had created them. Most of mankind were quite useless, for they lived in a world where no productive work was necessary."

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    52 min
  • Beyond Lies the Wub - Philip K. Dick

    Beyond Lies the Wub - Philip K. Dick
    Nov 8 2026
    Beyond Lies the Wub by Philip K. Dick.

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    16 min
  • Beyond Lies the Wub & The Skull-Philip K. Dick

    Beyond Lies the Wub & The Skull-Philip K. Dick
    Nov 7 2026
    Beyond Lies the Wub & The Skull by Philip K. Dick.

    Two stories in the inimitable Philip Dick style. What is a Wub? A 400 pound slovenly, fat, ungainly, drooling animal that looks like a cross between a walrus and an enormous hog? Well, yes that is pretty much what he looks like and for 50 cents, a good bargain no matter how he tastes. The hungry spaceship crew expect to find out. Of course the Wub may not entirely agree but it doesn't have much to say about it. The second story, The Skull, is a skillful mesh of time travel, unscrupulous governments, prisoners, and religion. With an assassin thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    1 ora e 11 min
  • Eyes Have It & Tony and the Beetles-Philip K. Dick

    Eyes Have It & Tony and the Beetles-Philip K. Dick
    Nov 6 2026
    Eyes Have It & Tony and the Beetles by Philip K. Dick.

    Aliens have invaded the earth! Horrible one celled creatures disguised as normal human beings ! Well, at least that is what it seems to the author. Yes, The Eyes Have It is a whimsical story, making gentle fun of certain writing styles, but only a topflight science-fictionist like Philip Dick , we thought, could have written this story, in just this way. Tony and the Beetles takes place far in the future when Earth's enormous colonial empire is well established but the question is, how long can it last? 10 year old Tony grows up fast when history catches up with the human race. A sobering look at human history .. and our probable future. Two very different stories but both entertaining.

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    43 min
  • Crystal Crypt, the & Beyond the Door-Philip K. Dick

    Crystal Crypt, the & Beyond the Door-Philip K. Dick
    Nov 5 2026
    Crystal Crypt, the & Beyond the Door by Philip K. Dick.

    Two early science fiction stories by the wonderful craftsman, Philip K. Dick. In the Crystal Crypt, taken from the 1954 Planet Stories, the war between Mars and Terra is about to erupt and earth has only merchants and salesmen to fight; can they carry out their mission? Beyond the Door is a story that asks and answers the question: what lives beyond the door? And is it dangerous?

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    1 ora e 4 min
  • Defenders-Philip K. Dick

    Defenders-Philip K. Dick
    Nov 4 2026
    Defenders by Philip K. Dick.

    The terrible destruction of total nuclear war between the Western and Eastern Blocks has succeeded in sterilizing the surface of the earth. No living creature can now exist there and all humans on both sides, have fled to the hives built miles below the surface where they constantly work to produce the war materials necessary to carry on the battle. For 8 years now, the actual fighting between these super powers has been conducted by robots known as Ledeys since only they can sustain the terrible levels of radiation caused by the constant bombardment. They are the Defenders, standing between the combatants far below and ultimate victory or defeat. Life is hard in the tunnels, but liveable, while it is lethal on the surface. The ledeys keep the generals informed on everything through vids and pictures; but how can this continue? what will happen? Who will win?

    Featured on Variable Man.

    Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    1 ora
  • Mr. Spaceship-Philip K. Dick

    Mr. Spaceship-Philip K. Dick
    Nov 3 2026
    Mr. Spaceship by Philip K. Dick.

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    1 ora e 12 min