I’d buy that for a dollar! In this episode, we dive deep into the gritty, cybernetic world of RoboCop — Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 cult classic that fuses explosive action with razor-sharp social commentary. Beneath the violence and sci-fi spectacle lies a chilling dystopian vision of a society spiraling under corporate control, technological overreach, and moral decay. We explore how RoboCop critiques unchecked capitalism, the privatization of public services, and the dehumanization of the working class—all in the shadow of Reagan-era economics. We also unpack the film’s satirical use of media, from grotesquely upbeat infotainment to fear-driven news segments, revealing how information is commodified and manipulated in the name of profit and control. Join us as we dissect the film’s layered themes, revisit its prescient warnings, and discuss why RoboCop remains disturbingly relevant in today’s media and political landscape. Dead or alive, you’re coming with us.

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Well, that took us by surprise. This week, we dive into The Machine Stops, E.M. Forster’s 1909 short story that predicted the internet, Zoom, digital burnout, remote living - and maybe even the end of the world as we know it. How did he see it coming? And why isn’t this story more well-known?

Link to the futuristic building discussed here.

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This episode takes a deep dive into Battle Royale (2000), the controversial cult classic that shocked Japan and the world. We explore how the film’s dystopian violence serves as a metaphor for Japan’s youth crisis of the 1990s—a time marked by economic stagnation, rising truancy, youth alienation, and public anxiety over juvenile crime. Through the lens of “The Program,” we examine how the state’s control over teenagers reflects a broader fear of a lost generation, societal breakdown, and the pressures of conformity. Join us as we unpack the lasting impact of Battle Royale and its chilling relevance today.

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