Author Archives: Alex R. Howe

About Alex R. Howe

I'm a full-time astrophysicist and a part-time science fiction writer.

S2E13: Gary Bengier Interview

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In this episode, I interview Gary Bengier, former CFO of eBay and author of Unfettered Journey, a novel about philosophy and artificial intelligence. Gary’s book recommendation:Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky Check out this episode!

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Movie Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the much-anticipated sequel to Marvel’s hit 2018 film Black Panther (and also the end of the MCU’s Phase Four). We return to a Wakanda that is reeling from the sudden death of King T’Challa and … Continue reading →

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S2E12: Catch-Up Episode #5: DC Movies

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Complementing my Marvel catch-up, I review the new DC superhero movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: DC League of Super-Pets Other movies discussed:Wonder Woman 1984Black AdamZack Snyder’s Justice LeagueThe Batman Check out this episode!

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S2E11: Nick Nocturne Discusses Unfiction

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

I interview Nick Nocturne, host of the YouTube channel Night Mind about the emerging genre of unfiction and its relation to science fiction. Nick’s recommendations:PBhere (sci-fi)Diminish (non-sci-fi) Check out this episode!

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Movie Review: Black Adam

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

DC superhero films are doing something interesting and kind of Marvel-esque this year. They are releasing two films in the same series back-to-back. This week saw the premier of Black Adam, and just five months from now in March will … Continue reading →

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Book Review: What If? 2 by Randall Munroe

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In 2014, XKCD creator Randall Munroe released What If?, a book based on his long-running…blog? It’s not his usual “blag,” but I think it qualifies. Anyway, in it, he used science to answer “absurd hypothetical questions” submitted by his readers. … Continue reading →

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S2E10: Interview: Brown and Hansen on Stephen King

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In the podcast’s first panel interview, I speak to two Stephen King scholars, Simon Brown and Regina Hansen, about King’s illustrious career and influence on science fiction. Book and movie recommendation: The Dead Zone. Check out this episode!

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S2E9: Catch-Up Episode #4: Horror

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation: The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele’s Nope Check out this episode!

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Long Words Bonus #2: Titin

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Last time, I talked about the protein tryptophan synthase A and how its “full chemical name” may be the longest “English” word ever professionally published in a book. (And I corrected the spelling of it.) But that “word” was just … Continue reading →

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Long Words Bonus #1: Tryptophan Synthase

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Quick, what’s the longest word in the English language? If you watched my recent video, you’ll know that in descriptivist terms, that is, how people actually use language in practice, it’s a tie between transinstitutionalization and superincomprehenibleness (both 25 letters). … Continue reading →

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