Dystopian Futures & the Reality of Aging – The Stories We Need to Tell

Season 1, Episode 9: Dystopian Futures & the Reality of Aging – The Stories We Need to TellIn this episode, we begin with a 100-word dystopian drabble about an elderly person who must take part in a scientific study for money. From there, we dive into the portrayal of older characters in fiction—why they’re often sidelined, the depth and complexity they bring to storytelling, and why we need more narratives that embrace aging rather than solely glorifying youth.We also explore the real-life struggles of aging, from financial insecurity to the ethical dilemmas of scientific studies that often recruit those in need of money. I share the inspiration behind the story—my retired friend who volunteered for a research study—and discuss how speculative fiction allows us to take real-world issues and push them to their most extreme ‘what ifs.’ With my background in CITI certification for social sciences, I also touch on the ethics of research design and how informed consent can become complicated when financial need is involved.Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? →⁠ Visit my publications page to find my longer-form fiction.⁠ → ⁠Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.⁠ → ⁠Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox. ⁠ → ⁠Support me on ko-fi. ⁠