Blue Mars, Part 3: "A New Constitution," the Bardo, Hypnogogic Visions, and A Definite Article

Happy New Year! This episode follows Art Randolph as he helps in the drafting of a new constitution! Matt and Hilary share some tips and tales about articles, definite and indefinite. Before we get to the chapter itself, we chat again about RED MOON (great book), which leads us to share some of our experiences over the holiday. Matt also would like someone to write an MA thesis about how SF is imagining China right now, specifically in RED MOON and MR. ROBOT. "A New Constitution" centers on Art as the decentralized coffee- and kavajava-brewer for the constitutional congress, which Nadia, wielding "the charisma of the sensible," is de facto chairing. We talk about the folkloric prologue that finds Mars's little red men becoming one with the Dalai Lama, and producing a structure of feeling conducive for the collective project of constituting the present in this opening of potentiality in history. We talk about Vlad's epic takedown of Antar at the table of tables, and the concept of generationality, of which Hilary gives a brilliant critique. We try to get to the bottom of why Jackie favors capitalism, and we discover that PARKS & RECREATION and THE WALKING DEAD are the same show, especially if you're Hannah Arendt. Attention HBO! Hilary Strang would watch a show about drafting a constitution! Also she has written this, about Aurora, for The Blackstone Review! Rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to this podcast. Follow us on Twitter @podcastonmars Email us at [email protected] Leave us a voicemail on the Anchor app! Music by The Spirit of Space