Every Hugo Ever

In 1955, the first ever Hugo for a Short Story was awarded to Eric Frank Russell. Now at the end of Season 2, Jack and Sam read this inaugural winner. A military spaceship's crew is preparing for a routine inspection, when one item on the list is unknown to everyone. Captain McNaught is not losing his chance of getting a promotion over this and devises a plan. A fun story on how it feels both of its time. but pokes fun at some bureaucratic nonsense you can find in any large organization.Recommendations:Catch-22 by Joseph HellerM*A*S*HSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2023, Worldcon took place in the Chinese city of Chengdu, the first time the event had been hosted in the country. The announcement was already metwith criticism from writers and sci-fi fans, but the event seemed to go smoothly and the Hugos were awarded as they had been for decades. Then a few months later it was discovered that the Chengdu committee has disqualified and flagged works they preemptively deemed anti-People's Republic of China, leading to botched nominees and winners. The author of Short Story Award publicly rejected her status as a winner, and so Jack and Sam discuss what happened, how easily one can be mislead into authoritarianism, and how many people had to keep making the wrong choices for this to happen at all. Mentioned in this episode:"Rabbit Test" by Samantha MillsA Breakdown of the Chengdu ScandalEmails Related to 2023 Hugo Awards Censorship“Rabbit Test” unwins the Hugo Next Episode: 1955's "Allamagoosa" by Eric Frank Russell Support Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky! This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Swanwick successfully used his strategy of taking over the nominee slates to win the 1999 Hugo Short Story Award (where Michael Jordan was the Toastmaster?). After discussions on puppets and the necessary need to fund the arts and, you know, the government, Sam and Jack read into the story of a pair of astronauts, one very dead and the other close to being so. Stranded on the sulfuric moon of Io around Jupiter, Martha walks, hikes, and crawls to her space shuttle and safety as her air supply drains. Luckily, she has some company when her dead partner's corpse starts speaking through the radio.Not mentioned but this story was adapted into a episode of Netflix's animated anthology, Death, Sex, and RobotsRecommendations:Gravity directed by Alfonso CuaronDeath Stranding developed by Kojima ProductionsThe Martian by Andy WeirWorld War Z- Christina Eliopolis chapter by Max BrooksStaying AliveNext Episode: 2023's Rabbit Test by Samantha MillsSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discussions of abuse and assault allegations against Neil Gaiman from 8:00-15:45Our first repeat author episode is Mike Resnick, who wrote a story that feels right at home next to "Kirinyaga". But first, Jack and Sam have a lot to get to,from dealing with the latest revelations from a once admired writer to the works of John Steinbeck. After that, it's time for a tour of Antares III, a planet fullof incredible architecture and a fascinating history. It's a shame that the human tourists care so little for it.Mentioned in the episode:Lila Shapiro's article on Neil GaimanInvisible Cities by Italo CalvinoRecommendations:Listen back to our episode on "Kirinyaga"Dahomey directed by Mati Diop1491 by Charles C. Mann"Ozymadias" by Percy Bysshe ShelleyThe Sympathizer by Viet Thanh NguyenWilliam Dalrymple's The Anarchy and Return of a KingNext Episode: 1999's "The Very Pulse of the Machine" by Michael SwanwickSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of this episode, Sam says "Thank you for watching" despite a podcast being something you listen to, not view. A tragic mistake if there ever was one.The legendary Connie Willis presents what is easily the most unique format for a story we've read so far. A fictional literary dissertation on two newly discovered Emily Dickinson poems, and the writer's hypothesis on the strange world and methods needed for this poems to be authentic when they were apparently written 11 years after Dickinson's death! Her arguments have some holes. Fans of lengthy footnote section will certainly enjoy the read, although Sam and Jack had some issues with the first comedic story on the showRecommendations:The War of the Worlds (2005) directed by Steven SpielbergWorld War Z by Max BrooksAsh: A Secret History by Mary GentleNext Episode: 1998's "The 43 Antarean Dynasties" by Mike ResnickSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is not a short story! The 1960s saw the Hugos group all the non-novel writing awards under "short fiction" and at a whopping 56 pages, Gordon R. Dickson delivers "Soldier, Ask Not", a tale that is clearly aimed at people who are already familiar with his Dorsai series. Nevertheless, Sam and Jack take the plunge to learn about war correspondent Tam Olyn and his actions on the planet of St. Marie. Torn apart by a war between human splinter races, Tam surely breaks some ethical guidelines to tip things in his favor.Recommendations:The Childe Cycle by Gordon R. DicksonEthics in America produced by Columbia UniversityStarship Troopers by Robert A. HeinleinNightcrawler directed by Dan GilroyNext Episode: 1997's "'The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems' A Wellsian Perspective" by Connie WillisSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning for discussions of child abuse from 18:00-22:30Hades game spoilers at 3:10Scientific studies and organized religion have both benefited from each other and butted heads over the centuries, and science fiction is no different. Many writers have their takes on how greater understanding of our universe can shape our faiths. Arthur C. Clark opens the universe to one devout astrophysicist who finds a sign that doesn't disprove God, but makes him wonder about the kind of mercy the Almighty provides.Recommendations:The Book of Job translated by Robert AlterEnders Game & Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott CardThe Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask developed by NintendoNext Episode: 1965's "Soldier, Ask Not" by Gordon R. DicksonSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on Bluesky!This podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's always a devil, a man, a deal to be made. For how sacred a soul is supposed to be, many don't seem to have issues with signing away their eternal fate for a bit of mortal pleasure. Martin is one such person, trying like many have before to get one over on the Adversary and avoid that Hell-Bound train. He can stop the ride at any time, but does he really want that? Sam and Jack discuss the iterations of the Faustian bargain, Halloween traditions, and one nominee that everyone seems to think really should have won.Recommendations:“Beat the Devil” by Kris Kristofferson“Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band“A Soldier’s Tale” by Igor Stravinsky"Friends on the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog"The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings" from FuturamaPuella Magi Madoka Magic animated by ShaftNext Episode: 1956's "The Star" by Arthur C. ClarkSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 22nd century, the scars of time and colonization still linger. The Kikuyu people have remade their god-given land in out in the vastness of space, and returned to the old ways of conducting their communities. At least, that's what Koriba seems to be doing, to the displeasure of those looking down from above. What is tradition and what is control? Did the good ol' days ever really exist? And why does that message of a glorious return to the past always seem to be coming from the man on top?Recommendations:Shogun by James ClavellThings Fall Apart by Chinua AchebeNext Episode: 1959's "That Hell-Bound Train" by Robert BlochSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Every Hugo Ever! Sam and Jack are excited to return to seven decades of science fiction stories, and Will McIntosh delivers a doozy. Deep underground in a cryogenic facility, women are trapped between life and death as decades pass by. One named Mira dreams of her mother, her lover, and how she can convince her visitors to release her from this frozen purgatory.Recommendations:"My Funny Valentine" from Cowboy BebopSOMA by Frictional GamesNext Episode: 1989's "Kirinyaga" by Mike ResnickSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 stories have been read and reviewed. Now is the Day of Judgement. This episode marks the creation of the list that all future Hugo Award winning shirt stories shall be ranked upon! Listen if you dare!Oh, and if listening before August 11, you can still register and vote for in the 2024 Hugos! Give yourself one of those classic "I voted!" stickers if you do so. Rare to spot them in the summer.Next time: 2010's "Bridesicle"Support Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded November 18, 2023In the final story of the season, we return to the 21st century. Two women from old fables find comradery (and more) in each other as they share their pasts and pain on a summit made of glass. Jack and Sam enjoy Amal El-Mohtar's take on classic fairy tale tropes and get ready to fulfill what the show is all about: ranking the dang Hugos.Recommendations:Uprooted by Naomi NovikCirce by Madeline MillerDracula, Motherf**ker by Alex de CampiFables by Bill Willingham'sNext Episode: Jack and Sam rank the first 10 stories!Support Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded October 17, 2023A suspicious man lingers around a playground, watching. A worrisome start to a story of a man called Ian. Jack and Sam try to figure out his goals and his "interesting" rationale behind them in a tale where time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future. Recommendations:Gravity Rush developed by Japan StudioHardspace: Shipbreaker developed by Blackbird Interactive"The Long Morrow" episode from The Twilight ZoneTo Your Eternity by Yoshitoki OimaNext Episode: 2017's "Seasons of Glass and Iron" by Amal El-MohtarSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded September 4, 2023Puberty is a difficult time for everyone, but some have it worse than others. One of those is a girl named Kelsey who's early blooming causes endless bullying from her classmates. Fortunately, another discovery she's made about her body is that it can turn into a wolf. The bullies (and neighborhoods dogs) will not be so lucky.Closed Systems Kill: An Interview with Suzy McKee Charnas by Joan GordonRecommendations:Eight Grade directed by Bo BurnhamJennifer's Body directed by Karyn KusamaThe art and comics of E.M CarrollNext Episode: 1982’s “The Pusher” by John VarleySupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded July 25, 2023We REALLY recommend you read the story first.When we first looked over the list of stories we had to read, Jack was thrilled at the chance to eventually talk about honorary friend of the pod Ursala K. Le Guin and her utopia of Omelas. Since then Sam has also gotten aboard the Le Guin train and the two gush over one of the best stories we've read so far. This is EHE at its finest: politics, philosophy, morality, tangents from the past and present, and Sam annoying Jack by agreeing with him. All wrapped up in some beautifully written words. Oh, and the boys get to talk about wrestling! This is a good one, folks.Spoilers for The Last of Us at 1:02:00The essay Jack mention by Micheal Moorcock criticizing Tolkien and praising Le Guin among other authorsRecommendations:The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le GuinBrave New World by Aldous HuxleyNext Episode: 1990’s “Boobs” by Suzy McKee CharnasSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com, Pixabay.com, and Joel Steudler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded June 27, 2023Content Warning for descriptions and discussions regarding sexual assault after the break.Apologies for the rough audio. These files have been through the virtual wringer over the months. From Romulus and Remus to Washington epically crossing the Delaware River, empires and nations throughout history have used stories of their founding to be the bedrock of their society, Many are fabrications, others leave out critical details, and more have an uglier side. Geoffrey Landis takes us to the Martian penal colony, and how the few survivors murdered and pillaged their way into building a home on the red planet. Recommendations:Akira by Katsuhiro OtomoMad Max: Fury Road directed by George MillerNext Episode: 1974’s “Those Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le GuinSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com and Pixabay.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded June 20, 2023Back in my day you had to go to a store, in person, to pick up a DVD or VHS tape if you wanted to watch a specific movie at home. Ok, Sam and Jack aren't that old but they do remember when Netflix delivered discs in the mail. Tim Pratt writes about the old magic of browsing the shelves at the local video rental store in the 2007 Hugo Short Story winner "Impossible Dreams", and how stories on screen enrapture us just as much as those in text. Romance ensues.Mentioned in this episode:Superman Lives script (written by Kevin Smith!) and some more behind the scenes infoQuick read on how indie bookstores have survived corporation and digitizationAn Oral History of Kingdom of the Sun (not Empire) and Yzma's song "Snuff Out The Light"Short Film adaption by Shir ComayRecommendations:Ready Player One directed by Steven SpielbergYour Name directed by Makoto ShinkaiI Met a Traveler in an Antique Land by Connie WillisF for Fake directed by Orson WellesNext Episode: 2003’s “Falling Onto Mars” by Geoffrey A. LandisSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com and Pixabay.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded June 6, 2023Harlan Ellison is a legendary name in the sci-fi world with numerous award winning novels and stories attributed to him. He is was also an author with a lot of baggage as a quick glance at his Wikipedia page can tell you. Sam and Jack read a very 1960s story about fighting against the Man and freeing society while musing on art done by not very nice people. You'll not waste any time listening to this one.Recommendations: Abbie Hoffman on Yippie Tactics - 1968A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra RowlandNext Episode: 2007’s “Impossible Dreams” by Tim PrattSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded May 11, 20231973 had two winners. Listen to 3a - "The Meeting" if you haven't yet!With over 70 stories to discuss, it was inevitable that one would disappoint. That story is Eurema's Dam. Albert the brilliant but dumb machinist rants and raves and invents, and in the end his words are lost to his audience and readers alike. Sam and Jack try and figure out what the Worldcon crowd in Toronto saw in this while arguing over whether the narrator also dislikes this story. With two stories about intelligence and Lafferty a... tad bitter about tying with "The Meeting", it is only natural to see which of the two stories has the edge. Ready Player One is mentioned for the first (and unfortunately not the last) time on the show.Recommendations: The Social Network directed by David Fincher"Why No Roman Industrial Revolution?" by Bret Devereaux @ A Collection of Unmitigated PedantryNext Episode: 1966’s “'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman” by Harlan EllisonSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterWatch the show on YoutubeThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded May 10, 20231973 had two winners. The other episode will be uploaded one day after this one!The Worldcon attendance in 1973 ended in tie for the top spot. The first is "The Meeting", where a father attends a PTO meeting at his son's school before receiving a dreaded phone call. Jack and Sam ponder the definition(s) of intelligence, an individual's act of evil versus society's, and making all the wrong decisions.Recommendations: Head Transplants and the Non-Existence of the Soul by Jacob Geller"Symbols and Signs" by Vladimir NabokovDisabled People Destroy Science Fiction! Uncanny Magazine Issue 24Next Episode (Tomorrow!): 1973’s “Eurema’s Dam” by R.A. LaffertySupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterWatch the show on YoutubeThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded May 3, 2023Discussions of Sexual Coercion at 19:21-19:45 and 46:42:-49:57The first Hugo’s of the new millennium have us going back in time with a classic science fiction scenario and a twist that will leave the reader wondering what their decision would be. Jack and Sam discuss the morality and capital capture of time travel while indulging in the ways the rich deal with boredom.Recommendations: Piano Quintet in G minor by Dmitri ShostakovitchLooper directed by Rian JohnsonBioshock Infinite developed by Irrational Games“After His Burial and Before His Death” by Arnold KempNext Episode: 1973’s “The Meeting” by Frederick Pohl & Cyril M. Kornbluth, and “Eurema’s Dam” by R.A. LaffertySupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterWatch the show on YoutubeThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally recorded April 16, 2023Our first story in our journey is a more recent one. Listen in as Jack and I (yes it is I, Sam, who writes the show notes) discuss our first story and gush over an excellent tale of American poverty and the power of storytelling.Recommendations: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick RiordanThe Tatami Galaxy produced by Madhouse and directed by Masaaki Yuasa References in the Episode:The Increase in Book Bannings in the United StatesDr. Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual ResearchDonate to Little Free Library to support book sharing across the globeNext Time: 2000's "Scherzo with Tyrannosaur" by Micheal SwanwickSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterWatch the show on YoutubeThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Every Hugo Ever! This is a podcast hosted by Jack Alexander and Samael Johnson as they go through each and every winner of the Hugo Short Story Award in a randomly selected order. This is an introduction episode to give you a taste of who Jack and Sam are, how the show will be working, and all that jazz. We are happy to have you along for the ride as we discover the weird and wild world of stories most of us haven't dipped into since middle school.Next Episode: 2009’s “A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies”: by Alix E. HarrowSupport Us on Ko-fiFollow us on TwitterWatch the show on YoutubeThis podcast is not affiliated with the Hugo Awards or Worldcon. Music provided by HookSounds.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.