Man of Distinction by Michael Shaara episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 31, 2025 · 21 MIN

Man of Distinction by Michael Shaara

from The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories · host Scott Miller

Being unique is a matter of pride—but being a complete mathematical impossibility? Man of Distinction by Michael Shaara. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Well, would you look at that… The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast has officially rocketed past 2 MILLION downloads! Two. Million! But here we are, with millions of plays — all thanks to you. Yes, you with the earbuds, the late-night playlist, and the taste for classic sci-fi greatness. You made this happen, and we can’t thank you enough. Another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts UK, this from DarrenInItaly “I love this Podcast and have listened to every episode, some episodes many, many times. But… please, no mid episode advertisements in your voice Scott, can we have them before or after. It’s weird when a stranded astronaut, anticipating his own death, starts telling you about the benefit of his preferred daily supplements.” Now, about that ad you mentioned for Rise… guilty as charged. I got a little too excited sharing it because, honestly, it’s been a game-changer for me. No more diabetic neuropathy pain, no more numbness, way more energy — I actually feel like myself again. And here’s the thing: I want that for you, too. So if you’re curious, there’s a link for Rise in the description, or you can just head over to lostscifi.com and click the link at the top of the page. Ever notice how some of these old sci-fi stories had a way of peeking into the future? It’s almost spooky sometimes. That’s exactly what happens in this one — written by none other than Pulitzer Prize–winning author Michael Shaara. Yep, that Michael Shaara. Long before he won the big prize for The Killer Angels, he was cooking up sharp, clever science fiction. This gem comes straight out of the October 1956 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. Flip through the yellowed pages, land on page 59, and there it is, Man of Distinction by Michael Shaara... Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Consider the poor mailman of the future. To "sleet and snow and dead of night"—things that must not keep him from his appointed rounds—will be added, sub-zero void, meteors, and planets that won't stay put. Maybe he'll decide that for six cents an ounce it just ain't worth it. Postmark Ganymede by Robert Silverberg. Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcast Twitter - https://x.com/LostSciFiPod Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee $200 Someone $100 Tony from the Future $75 James Van Maanenberg $50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener $25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener $15 Every Month Someone $15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener $10 Anonymous Listener $5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue $5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener https://lostscifi.com/podcast/man-of-distinction-by-michael-shaara/ Listen without commercials and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes every month with Lost Sci-Fi Premium—start your free 7-day trial today. https://lostscifi.supercast.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 31, 2025

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