About Exploring Tomorrow: Meaningful Science Fiction and Life's Big Questions
Can science fiction save the world? Author and filmmaker, Mikel J. Wisler, explores the themes and ideas presented in a wide range of sci-fi movies and books from various time periods. Convinced that sci-fi is the most naturally philosophical genre, Wisler invites everyone from die-hard fans to casual observers to dive into meaningful conversations about how sci-fi helps us think about our future, brings up challenging scenarios, and forces us to ask big questions.
The recent sci-fi thriller, Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, plays with a pretty fascinating concept that feels like something Philip K. Dick would have written. An AI Judge gives a murder suspect 90 minutes to drop the certainty of their guilt from 98% to 92%. This is the reasonable doubt threshold that will keep him from being killed in an hour and half.
Well, I have a lot of thoughts on where this movie goes wrong. But more importantly, I have serious concerns about the kind of world this story is promoting. Mercy is not just a terrible movie with a nonsensical plot. It’s a dangerous piece of propaganda masquerading as mass entertainment.
What did you think? Are you concerned?
Want episodes early and bonus content? Join my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mikelwisler
9 Apr 2026
033 The Vast of Night and The Problem of Evil
There’s a hidden gem film lurking out there and I think you should check it out. Especially if you like slow boil mysteries and that an X-Files flare, The Vast of Night (2020) is wonderful, contained, well-written sci-fi thriller set in 1950s New Mexico. In this episode, I discuss how this story brought up a lot some big topics for me and made me want to discuss how my own thinking has evolved since writing my own alien abduction thriller published more than a decade ago.In this episode, I also give a shout out to YouTubers I admire, @GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCG1uayRlzz3ahT8ISRdyw7Q) and @maklelan (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCAAJCQ0FCqRmAEv95SyTfNg). Their content is always worth check out.Want episodes early and bonus content? Join my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mikelwisler
26 Mar 2026
032 Project Hail Mary and The Competent Man Trope
During the “golden age” of science fiction (late 1930s to 1950s), a particular type of story dominated the pages of magazines. It was the “Competent Man” narrative. Comparisons of Andy Weir’s novels to this particular trope have been made by literary critics.In this episode, I discuss how I see the movie and book, Project Hail Mary, as being in dialogue with the "Competent Man” trope, drawing from classic science fiction, but putting an interesting twist on the narrative that arguably subverts the old use of this trope.Want episodes early and bonus content? Join my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mikelwisler
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
7 ratings
Host of Exploring Tomorrow: Meaningful Science Fiction and Life's Big Questions?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
