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Space the Nation — Arts
Space the Nation

On Space the Nation, we take our love of science fiction (and fantasy and horror) and smash it together with our professional passions: international relations (as brought to the table by Tufts University professor and Washington Post columnist Dan Drezner) and cultural criticism (as brought to the table by political columnist Ana Marie Cox). It’s a highly informed but hilarious conversation that starts with an examination of a particular text (everything from Ursula K. LeGuin to the MCU, Star Trek to Colson Whitehead) and veers into current events, mental health practices and imagined conversations between Ted Cruz and the Predator. For people who like white papers and graphic novels, Chapo Trap House and what Political Science Twitter used to be.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Space the Nation

Latest Episodes:

SEVERANCE S2 E1-5 Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Ana and Dan's outies prefer two scoops of ice cream in a serving, but they (the ice cream scoops) must be the same flavor. Our return to Lumon coincides with our own intense interest in being able to disassociate from the real world! But trauma will reveal itself with or without you remembering it specifically. There is a critique of capitalism and some IR in this TV show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE POSTMAN Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Ana and Dan didn't realize their "palate cleansing" entry into Nuclear Winter would be about the heroism of civil servants and fighting against a racist autocracy founded by businessman-turned-despot. There is IR in this movie.

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THREADS Mar 02, 2025

Show notes

Ana and Dan hang onto their shopping bags for this slog through one of the most downbeat takes on the apocalypse that is not actively promoting a cult.

CONTENT WARNING: For people who watch the news.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE DAY AFTER Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Ana and Dan would never leave Rusty outside the fallout shelter. We discuss the movie that made Gen X the nihilist losers we are—and find more humanity than we remembered. This is the first of three in our Nuclear Winter 2025 series (Threads and The Postman are dropping soon).

CONTENT WARNING: Not intended as commentary on current events, but you may find yourself reminded. Also, there's some IR in this episode.

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ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Ana and Dan wish you a happy Valentine's Day, this podcast will erase itself as it plays. Revisiting this scifi art-house classic after 20 years reveals some of its deep flaws and something about Young Dan's wistful notions about bookish young men and Manic Pixie Dream Girls. If you loved this episode's saltiness about saccharine tales, perhaps it would make a good gift for the sober sweetheart of your dreams?

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THE PROPHECY Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

For the last day of Fishmas, my true love gave to me an extremely well-produced piece of sh*t—and a partridge in a pear tree! Dan and I dive into The Prophecy, an Audible Original that proves our thesis: Laurence Fishburne makes everything better. We attempt to untangle its apocalyptic theology, its oddly specific hydrology content (like, really specific), and its absolute refusal to acknowledge how national security actually works. Come for the biblical name drops, stay for the moment I realize I’ve accidentally hate-listened to the whole thing.

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JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Ana stop fighting long enough to have a civilized drink. We're wrapping up Fishmas, the most wonderful time of the year, with what might be the most delightful installment yet. There's a lot of discussion of Chapter One in this episode; you'll likely need to watch both to fully appreciate both Chapter Two and this discussion!

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PREDATORS Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Ana are in a blood feud with the Super-Podcasters; don't get in their way. This may be one of the most less-than-the-sum-of-its-parts movies we've ever seen! Two Oscar winners are in this movie! And Walter Goggins! Topher Grace is genuinely funny. And yet. And yet. There is less IR in this movie than you'd think, but a surprisingly robust critique of capitalism.

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WE'RE FINE, HOW ARE YOU? Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Just been a little bit since we saw you and thought we'd check in.

We had some behind-the-scenes stuff get more bumpy than usual! We're good now but we appreciate your patience with our little hobby pod and we hope you're doing ok.

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MATRIX RELOADED (FISHMAS FUTURE) Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Christmas comes but once a year, but Fishmas lasts all year long--at least as Dan and I practice it. We've had some personal and professional chaos over the past month, so forgive our tardiness. The good news is that the wait is worth it, which is more than you can say about this sequel to The Matrix! It has not aged particularly well! But Dan liked the Luddite rave. More to come very soon and we love you very much.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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