This is the discussion post for the first installment of the hubski #scificlub.
We will also have discussion for the material for installment #2 here.
Discussion: Roadside Picnic
So I hope everyone found time to read the story. I'm going to include a couple discussion prompts here. You, of course, don't have to respond to the prompts and can just say whatever is on your mind about the story. However if you're drawing a blank hopefully responding to a prompt will incite some meaningful discussion.
Prompts
1. Roadside Picninc was published by the Strugatsky brothers during the soviet era, a time when it was notoriously difficult to publish anything without censorship. Indeed, Roadside Picninc was censored when initially published. So is there any subtext in the story relating to communism, soviet society, or the political landscape of the world at the time?
2. What's the deal with Red and the Zone? It's the most complex relationship in the story it seems. He seems to hate it but won't leave it. Why does he keep going back? Does he really need to?
Picking the material for the next installment
So let's include any suggestions for the next material here. Keep in mind that it should be free and/or short. I think for the first few installments we should stick to these requirements pretty strictly, unless there's overwhelming demand for something in particular.
Some suggestions still standing: (I'll update the list as the thread progresses)
Fantastic Planet - a French animated film. It's way out-there and pretty fun. I believe there are multiple sources online for watching it.
Blindsight - Free to download, but not exactly short. An amazing book though and it goes by fast. Very much loaded with material to discuss.
For a Breath I Tarry by Roger Zelazny - "perhaps one of the most lyrical science fiction stories ever written. It's available here."
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blackbootz flagamuffin kleinbl00 JakobVirgil eightbitsamurai mhr ando OftenBen plewemt elizabeth