Will we finally switch to nuclear power? Will AI finally come true?  Find out from Patrick Beja and Stephen Schleicher on this episode.

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“What is new is old again”

We get to talking about the problems with gerrymandering and the polarization of US politics, and somehow that leads Roger to want to talk about assassinations. Please don’t assassinate anyone. It was only a thought-experiment.

Listen to this episode at this link: http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/EastMeetsWest195DontAssasinateAnyone/eastmeetswest195.mp3

“Live Avatar Role Playing”

In our last episode with Colleen and Molly we learn that someday we’ll have replaceable bodies but they’ll help us run from the nanocytes trying to kill us.

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“We have a glitch in the system!”

As a wrap-up of “Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom” we finally snag an interview with the author of the Sword and Laser book club selection.  Cory Doctorow is always a fun person to chat with, and this episode is no exception.  We do query him on some of the thoughts behind Down and Out, but also about writing and the publishing industry in general. We also let him pick our next book!

Quick Burns

Ursula Le Guin’s Petition Against Google Books

8 Comic Book Relationships To Make You Feel Good

Book Pick

Our next book is The Windup Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi.

“Houston, we have a robot”

Roger and Tom review the Olympics opening ceremonies, discuss the coverage, chat about Greece’s financial troubles and finish with some commentary on film music’s value.

Get the show at this link: http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/EastMeetsWest194AimForTheModesto/eastmeetswest194.mp3