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Mark kicks off the podcast with a diabolical question for Joe and their guest, renowned Canadian science fiction writer, Robert J. Sawyer.

“If you could write – and consume – only one of these genres of science fiction, what would you pick? Space opera. Post-Apocalyptic. Or Cyberpunk?”

Everyone has an answer and it connects with the piece of art that Rob wanted to chat about – the 1968 science fiction classic, Planet of the Apes.

For Rob, the film (and book it was based upon) shows how science fiction can tackle the most pressing and important issues of the day. In the case of Planet of the Apes: race relations and nuclear war.

Rob also thought the way the movie was made was important to the development of science fiction being taken as a serious art form. Kim Hunter (shown left as the ape scientist, Zira) was an academy-award winning actor, as was the lead actor, Charlton Heston. The production values of the film were all academy-award level as well. The inventor of the makeup for the film, John Chambers, was awarded an honorary Oscar for his achievements. The film also received nods for the score and the costume design.

The three have an engaged and engaging conversation about science fiction in general, and Rob’s career in particular.

Rob gets into how he has managed to win so many awards of his own over the years, and why he continues to innovate within the genre. Fans won’t want to miss this conversation!