futuristic – Page 2 – The Drabblecast

Drabblecast 109 – Babel Probe

On April 1, 2009

This episode of the Drabblecast features “Babel Probe” by David D. Levine.

This superbly narrated tale follows a nano scale robot on its mission to the past. Six thousand years earlier it uncovers the myths surrounding the Tower of Babel. A thought-provoking story unfolds. Which came first, God or man?

Story Excerpt:

I have been sent to investigate one of the greatest mysteries of all time. The identity of Jack the ripper, the fate of the lost colony at Roanoke, even the hidden story of the Crucifixion have all been revealed, but the truth–if any– behind the Tower of Babel myth, found in so many cultures, still lies shrouded in secrecy…

Norm also brings you a special Bbardle for Eisenbrauns Bookstore called “The Babylon Battle of the Bands.” We thank you so much for your generous contribution!

And now folks, without further ado, enjoy the show!

Drabblecast #109 – Babel Probe

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 102, The Last Dog, by Matt Wasiela

Drabblecast 102 – The Last Dog

By Drabblecast

On February 11, 2009

In Drabblecast, Drama, Sci-Fi

He was panting now, his breath coming in a never-ending series of short spurts and gasps. His sides ached, his eyes watered, and every now and then he would trip over the rubble of the decayed and ruined buildings that lined the torturously fragmented street…

This episode opens with the announcement of the three drabbles and five features stories nominated for the Drabblecast People’s Choice Award. In the Drabble, the narrator muses on the nature of his fatalistic precognition. In the feature, The Last Dog, the titular ultimate canine and his master, the last man on Earth, form a strong bond helping one another to survive on a war-ravaged planet. When they encounter an alien assassin, they are forced to make hard choices.

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Drabblecast B-Sides 2 – 2135: The Year Disco Came Back

By Drabblecast

On January 12, 2009

In Comedy, Drabblecast B-Sides, Sci-Fi, Strange

And with a mighty crack the sky opened up! There, sitting on a throne of ivory and omnipotence, was the Lord in all his terrible glory. And God said: “Let there be Funk!”

On this episode of the Drabblecast B-Sides podcast, a semi-lucid prophecy of a musically dominated future. Disco, punk, funk, and more are at odds, as maniacal genre fan devotion rules the streets!

Drabblecast B-Sides: <a href="http://www.drabblecast.org/donate/">Donate</a>

Cover for Drabblecast 097, Daydream Nation, by Bo Kaier

Drabblecast 97 – Daydream Nation

By Drabblecast

On January 7, 2009

In Drabblecast, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi

From a small, dusty box similar to a contact-lens case, she took a fresh iDreams bindi, a self-adhesive circlet displaying the iDreams logo: a stylized human head wreathed in fluffy clouds and displaying a Third Eye…

This episode of the Drabblecast explores the relationship between technology and romance. In the Drabble, cryotechnology brings new dimensions to love, loss, and grieving. The feature, Daydream Nation, is a post-modern fairy tale exploring how the development of an iDreams caster, a device allowing users to broadcast crafted or purchased iDreams to one another, might affect courtship and relationships. After the story, Norm waxes poetic about the effect of our instant message society on “good old fashioned cheesy flirting.”

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 93, Blue, by Richard K. Green

Drabblecast 93 – Blue

By Drabblecast

On December 11, 2008

In Drabblecast, Drama, Sci-Fi

I had a dog, his name was Blue
Betchya five dollars he’s a good one too.
Come on Blue!
I’m a-comin’ too.

Glum weather in Baltimore inspires Norm to treat us all to a pair of melancholy stories. In Shane Shennen’s Drabble, “Ancient Apple Tree,” the passing of an old, faithful robot is mourned by nary an organic eye. Next, accomplished writer Mike Resnick (who appears in Drabblecast #67, “Malish,” and #102 “The Last Dog”) bases a sad tale of attrition and mourning on the traditional song “Old Blue.” Accompanied by Norm’s gentle rendition of the song, the story describes the mutual loyalty of a hermit and his canine companion in a harsh season. A grateful Norm confesses to his love of dogs after the song and story conclude. This is followed by feedback for Episodes #88 (“The Toys of Peace”) and #89 (“Starry Night”), which is generally positive.

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 73, All In, by Anthony Sullivan

Drabblecast 73 – All In

By Drabblecast

On July 16, 2008

In Drabblecast, Horror, Sci-Fi

The medical profession doesn’t talk about “The Treatment”…it came from Argentina, but the scientist was from Mumbai, or the other way around…

This episode’s Drabble shows us life by Etch-a-Sketch. The feature story for this episode is a dark drama posing the question “Is your body worth your life?” Norm Sherman announces that The Drabblecast has been nominated for The Parsec Awards, teases about the return of the Mega-Beast Super Animal Death-Match, and explains what a tanuki is.

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 52, Sleep Age, by Bo Kaier

Drabblecast 52 – Sleep Age

By Drabblecast

On February 20, 2008

In Drabblecast, Sci-Fi

Around back there’s a smaller, dimmer lobby with a line of tired-looking people clutching their little blinking cylinders as they wait to have them verified to get their money…

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Drabblecast 48 – The Destiny of Man

By Drabblecast

On January 23, 2008

In Drabblecast, Sci-Fi

I know what they teach you in school, Bobby, but don’t let anyone tell you that the human race isn’t the greatest, most glorious of all earth’s creatures…

Norm presents his one-minute review of the monster movie, “Cloverfield.” The Drabble speculates on the Bleak Reaper’s off-duty recreation activities. The feature story, originally published in the print magazine “Futures,” is a “facts-of-life” monologue from a father to his son on an Earth crushed under the legless boot-heel of a strangely dehumanizing alien occupation. Concluding that no matter what heights humanity reaches, in the end we’re all worm fodder. Feedback for Episode #42, “40 Quarters,” was sparse and mixed, although the listeners certainly did emendate our vocabularies. Norm concludes with reminders that the “People’s Choice” award voting and the first annual Nigerian Scam Spam contest are both still wide open.

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 45, The Fine Point, by David Steffen

Drabblecast 45 – The Fine Point

By Drabblecast

On January 2, 2008

In Drabblecast, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Once you start to see them, they seem to be everywhere…

The Drabble News report, of a 5-year scientific study which showed staring at women’s breasts prolonged the lifespan of males, inspires a now-infamous skit. Norm details the riot among medical test subjects when the non-boobie control group was chosen. The feature story continues with theme of close observation of the Creator’s handiwork. The author, whose work has appeared in “Alien Skin” among other places, presents a disturbing tale of a crusty old misanthrope discovering a crude shortcut from an Impressionistic God, harkening back to the world’s creation. Is humanity ready for that knowledge? Feedback for Episode #39, “The Bee-Keepers,” was accidentally erased by Norm, but the forum comments were very positive, and stimulated a great discussion about parasites. Finally, the Drabblecast New Year’s Resolution is a raise in the submission pay rates.

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Drabblecast 44 – The Arc of Hronos

By Drabblecast

On December 29, 2007

In Drabblecast, Mystery, Sci-Fi

I’ve almost finished checking those measurements. That tooth—it looks homo sapien. This could be huge…

Norm presents, in his inimitable style, a one-minute review of his long-awaited movie indulgence, “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.” The week’s Drabble concerns an auto thief reaching the top of his game through — what else — nefarious means. The feature story’s author, Anden Sharp, gifted the Drabbleverse with Episode #32, “The Warden’s Last Day.” In the feature story, tragedy strikes the marriage of an archaeologist and her time traveler husband. Feedback for Episode #38, the Drabblecast’s first “Trifecta,” debated how well suited the story concepts were for their broadcast length, and was generally positive.

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Drabblecast 38 – Trifecta

By Drabblecast

On November 15, 2007

In Drabblecast, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Strange

The Drabblecast’s first ever trifecta special, three short stories asking there interesting questions. Is best model, best witness? How much is a dream worth? And what would you do to get a pound of flesh?

This episode marked the first “Trifecta,” as Norm produced an anthology of three short-ish stories connected by a theme. Norm left the specific theme open for speculation by listeners. Was it perhaps, “lethal consumption?” In the first story, “Witness,” a cleaning robot recounts a mysterious incident from its uniquely prosaic point of view. Next, “Wiggin’s General Store,” turns out to be a place that sells dreams. No, really, sells dreams and not the safe kind. (The author, Basil Godevenos, wrote the poem “The Truth about the Reaper” in Episode #34.) The final story, “Pork and Steak Eye” ponders the ethics of willing organ-donor clones. Upon reading the feedback from Episode #33, “Dessert Storm,” a good laugh was had by all.

Trifecta – a run of three wins or grand events. Origin: 1970s from “tri” + “perfecta”

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 37, Luna Springs, by Rick Green

Drabblecast 37 – Luna Springs

By Drabblecast

On November 8, 2007

In Drabblecast, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

They say the gravity’s lessened here, air’s purified, filtered with vitamins and proteins. Even the light’s better – Luna Springs is on a mobile foundation timed to keep optimum reflected sunlight at all hours…

In Drabble News: a young girl born with four arms and four legs in India, believed to be the incarnation of a Hindu goddess, underwent surgery to remove her irregularities. Norm speculates on her attitude towards baby pictures later in life. Continuing on the theme of physical infirmities, the feature story features a sickly and wheelchair-bound grandfather. A man who found a place in a retirement community on the Moon, where “memories come alive with the moonlight and dance with the stars” leaving his grandson with a painful memory of his own. The story author, Patrick Hurley, has been published in “The Horror Library” and other venues. Feedback for Episode #32, “The Warden’s Last Day,” closes out the episode.

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 30, 2084, by Mary Mattice

Drabblecast 30 – 2084

By Drabblecast

On September 19, 2007

In Comedy, Drabblecast, Sci-Fi

“What are you doing tonight?” asked Julian, with a sly smirk on his face. He knew that Winston was prone to doing the most outrageous things.

Winston smiled in return. “You know me Rick, nothing too risky!”…

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Cover for Drabblecast episode 12, Free Willy 2.4, by Jonathan Wilson

Drabblecast 12 – Free Willy 2.4

By Drabblecast

On May 9, 2007

In Action, Drabblecast, Horror, Sci-Fi

A textbook example of whale robotics gone terribly wrong…

Episode 12 sees the climax of the first ever Super Animal Deathmatch (also know as the Mega-Beast Death-Match), with Norm revealing the winner – Telephant. It also includes Anna Luther’s story “Free Willy 2.4” – the reintroduction of (robotic) killer whales, and how mad science and tinkering with the natural world (as per usual) goes spectacularly, savagely wrong.

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Tag: futuristic

Story Excerpt:

Drabblecast #109 – Babel Probe