Gay Space Communism

Welcome back space travelers to a very special episode! We're kicking it in the studio with Not Safe Media's own Brandyn Buchanan, who's here to talk with us about all things family and Trek. We take a deep dive into a few episodes, talk about our childhoods, and and get to the root of what family is. NOTE: This will be our last episode for the year. We are taking a short season break and will be back with some great new content next year. While we're gone, we will be making more episodes, Patreon content, merch, and more. Season 2 of GSC will be bigger and better, thanks to every one of you who listens. Check our links below to stay connected to the show while we are on our break. Check out this episode as we get into: Family and absence Who taught you how to shave? Do we choose our family? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast
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The pandemic's "worker shortage" has given us a lot to think about with regards to labor, our desires, and communism. So in the Star Trek future, how do we reckon with the amount of work that needs to be done? And who does that work? In this episode, we are doing a deep dive into the Trek workforce and its allegories to the real world. Tune into: Is there really a job for everyone? How does a jobs guarantee work? Nepotism & meritocracy Game: Starfleet Bar &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast
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We talk all the time about what it would be like to live in the utopia that is the Star Trek universe. The opposite is less spoken of - what about dying in Trek? Today we're sitting down to discuss various deaths in Star Trek, death rituals, and Rachel gets into their personal story. Let's do it: Where do you go when you die in space? Humans are failed primates Assisted suicide &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Everyone's got them, you can spread them, and they're kinda gross. That's right, today we're talking about feelings. We're looking at those in Trek who have feelings and those who don't. Maybe even delving into our own feelings a bit. Okay, gross. Let's just get into it. Mental health/care in Starfleet Social norms vs. emotions Emotional intelligence Is Star Trek a show about love? Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

While the #IATSE strike is still tentatively taking place, we're disconnecting our streaming services and talking about some more offline media. In this case, Amy is bringing out an erotic Star Trek novel she's been reading and listening to. The audiobook is narrated by Johnathan Frakes, the actor who plays Commander William Riker in Trek. It gets weird, so make sure you don't miss this one. The amazing novel itself What non-television media exists for Star Trek? What the Internet was like back in the day How you can support the current labor movement &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Star Trek brings us the future we want to have in our real lives. Socialism, technology, the whole nine yards. But where does Trek, or our current reality, fall short? Today we're sitting down with our friend Troy, to talk all things Artificial Intelligence. Listen as we get into: Where do we see AI in Trek? How does AI in Trek and real life fall short of perfect? Human advantages over AI and computers &MORE Check out Troy: https://twitter.com/Meta_Troy Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Over the past month, we've seen #Striketober take form. Workers all over the United States are forming unions, going on strike, and demanding better working conditions from their employers. One such movement is the #IATSE strike, or The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. These workers produce all of the TV, movies, and other on-screen entertainment that we love, including Star Trek. To show solidarity with these workers, we've invited our comrade Will, AKA The Star Trek Communist, for back-to-back episodes to get into all the details. Listen as we talk about: The growing labor movement across the country - and the world Why is worker solidarity so important? What are some examples of labor movements from Star Trek? Why the utopia.... isn't one &MORE Learn more about Will here: https://twitter.com/BoomerNiner https://socialistrevolution.org/ http://www.marxist.com/ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Welcome back to another episode of Gay Space Communism! Today we're welcoming back our good friend Will, AKA The Star Trek Communist, to dive into everything Maquis and Marxism. Tune in with us for: How are the Maquis written? The potential for the Maquis - and the Galaxy Is something rotten in Starfleet? &MORE More about Will: https://twitter.com/BoomerNiner https://socialistrevolution.org/ http://www.marxist.com/ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Content warning: This episode contains heavy discussion of bodies, human or otherwise. We discuss weight in detail, and one of the central premises of this episode is the question "Why is no one in Star Trek fat?" Please feel free to skip this episode and use the transporter to get to another one if this one would make you uncomfortable. Bodies. We've all got one. So why don't we celebrate them more? If you ask our host Paul Byron, he'd say they're gross with gross holes. But today we're going to be discussing some of the great things about our bodies with this special episode about body positivity. Listen as we get into: Why fat shaming is bad - even for cats Star Trek invented girlbossing Diversity of bodies among Trek series Why representation matters &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Star Trek is an infamously unfunny show, but today, join us as we pick apart some of the funnier moments in Trek. Kick back, grab a Slug-o-Cola, and try not to do a spit take as we get into: Situational comedy vs comedy comedy Which characters are actually funny Comedic relief Star Trek is an anime &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Star Trek: Lower Decks has given Trek fans an insight into how a ship runs on the day-to-day. But in this episode, we dive into how tech support has shown its face in other Star Trek series. Joined by our special guest and tech support professional, Robby Poole, listen as we talk about: Who do you call?? The engineers, apparently Replicator malfunctions and transporter accidents How do you fix future technology? &MORE More about Robby: https://twitter.com/DatHowellGuy https://www.twitch.tv/dathowell Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Spoiler warning: This episode contains light spoilers for season 3 of Star Trek: Discovery. The discussion is roughly from 13:00 to 15:00. Welcome to another episode of Gay Space Communism! In this special episode, we're getting into transgender representation in Star Trek, or more accurately, the lack of it. Join us as we get into hidden narratives, fuck-ups, and more with our guest host, Samantha Boucher. What characters in Trek are trans-coded? Why some of the "trans-coded" episodes kinda suck Asylum-seeking narratives Star Trek accidentally getting things right (or wrong) &MORE More about Samantha: https://twitter.com/sceboucher Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Suit up rangers! Wait, wrong show... or is it? Today we're hanging out with our good friends Kennedy and GRAV, the hosts of Sentai Truther Club. Our mission today: get GRAV into Trek. Listen along as we attempt to do just that and more: Space Italians Kirk vs. Picard vs. Sisko Political cringe in Trek Trek's portrayal of religion and culture &MORE Check out Kennedy, GRAV, and the Sentai Truther Club podcast: https://twitter.com/kennedytcooper https://twitter.com/GRAVCAST https://twitter.com/SentaiTruther Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Content Warning: This episode contains discussion about the recent developments in Afghanistan as well as the history of the war. There is heavy discussion of imperialism, death, and other sensitive topics surrounding war. If these make you uncomfortable or are triggering, please be advised that you may want to skip this episode. It's cool. We won't judge. This week, we're continuing our discussion from last episode about the Afghanistan war. This time, we have special guest Dick Warlock, from the show Left Flank Vets. He's here to give his insight on his time in the service, crack some jokes, and of course talk Trek. Let's get into it. What was Afghanistan like as a soldier? How do you relate to Star Trek as a veteran? How the war machine is hidden from the public & manufactured consent In what ways do we justify war? More about Dick and Left Flank Vets: https://twitter.com/LeftFlankVets https://www.twitch.tv/leftflankvets https://linktr.ee/LeftFlankVets Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Content Warning: This episode contains discussion about the recent developments in Afghanistan as well as the history of the war. There is heavy discussion of imperialism, death, and other sensitive topics surrounding war. If these make you uncomfortable or are triggering, please be advised that you may want to skip this episode. It's cool. We won't judge. Welcome back! This week, we're diving into the recent developments in the war in Afghanistan. Cory's been up close and personal with this war, and is bringing her experience as a contractor to the table. There's some Star Trek thrown in there too, of course. What was Cory doing in Afghanistan? The media's spin on the conflict Roles of Afghan people during the war Where do religious extremists come from? &Much, Much More Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes We're always talking about how Star Trek is the model for the gay space communist future we want, but Trek also models how to behave in other important aspects of our life. Today we're hanging out with the incredible political activist and podcast host Ben Dixon, to talk all things parenthood. We get into: Is Star Trek interesting enough for kids? Representations of parenthood in Trek Why Ben should watch DS9 Autonomy and mutual respect &More Check out Ben and all the things he does: https://twitter.com/BenjaminPDixon https://www.youtube.com/thebenjamindixonshow Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Strap into your spaceships, because we're back with a special guest! Today we're chatting with Will Nguyen, better known online as The Star Trek Communist. Will's here to teach us all about marxism, why Trek is actually sorta kinda maybe lib, and everything in between. Plug your ear holes with all of this: What is revolutionary Marxism? Life is more than paying the bills and dying The eternal question: IS Star Trek actually communist? &MORE More about Will: https://twitter.com/BoomerNiner https://socialistrevolution.org/ http://www.marxist.com/ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Welcome back space travelers! It's been a long 3 weeks since we delivered an episode to your listening devices. Our editor is back and ready to give you all the Trek content you so deserve. Joining us today is our good friend Adriel Hampton, a California-based political activist and 2022 gubernatorial candidate. It's a real good one this week. Listen in as we get into: Why see-through phones are not the future Is there such thing as objective truth? What Facebook ads actually tell us What is power, and how do we reckon with it? &MORE More about Adriel and his campaign: https://twitter.com/adrielhampton https://adrielhampton.com https://adriel4california.com/ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Strap in, space travelers! This week, we're going on a time travel adventure all the way back to the 1970s, around the time _The Original Serie_s wrapped up. Today's very special guest is our own Amy's mom, Peg, and she's here to tell all of her stories and memories of Star Trek and the 70s. It's a fun and wild time. Let's get into it. How did you discover Star Trek? What do you think about the newer series? How does Star Trek influence your political views, and vice versa? More stories from the 70s Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes In this... interesting episode of Gay Space Communism, we talk about the mirror universe and all its many implications, episodes, and characters. We even play a little game about our own mirror universes! Also in this can't-miss episode: Are the Klingons racist? Is the mirror universe always bad? Does Star Trek have a fascism fascination? What would we get up to in the mirror universe? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes The internet, for all its many faults, has been a tremendous source of community and has afforded us the opportunity to learn about, experience, and appreciate other cultures that has strengthened our common bonds as human beings. In Trek, people are separated by solar systems and the cross culture exposure is even more significant than anything we experience on earth. So what do the people in the Star Trek universe do without the Internet? Today, we sit down with Cory's good friend, Troy Hewitt, to answer just that. Note: There were some issues with our recording software that day. Please excuse our helium-infused Paul Byron this week. What forms does cultural exchange take in Trek? How does the holosuite function? Virtual spaces Games in Star Trek &MORE Check out Troy: https://twitter.com/Meta_Troy Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes At the end of the day, aren't we all just a collection of atoms and patterns? Today we brought Damien Williams on the pod to discuss the transporter, the ship of Theseus, and what makes us really us. How does the transporter actually work? What parts of us make us who we are? How does gender factor into our self identity? &MORE Check out Damien: https://twitter.com/Wolven Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains light spoilers for the TV show/book series The Expanse. The discussion takes place roughly from 58:30 to 1:03:00. The readings are off the charts, Captain! It must be a new episode! Today we invited Cory's friend, Andrés Bernal, to talk about money, humanity, and of course, Star Trek! Join us on this journey as we get into: Where does money come from? How does the Star Trek universe function without money What is "post-scarcity"? How do we define human nature? &MORE Check out Andrés and more on MMT: https://twitter.com/andresintheory https://twitter.com/videotroph https://twitter.com/moneyontheleft https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496201928/ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Star Trek follows the activities of the Starfleet officers, but what about everyone who's not in the space Navy? In this episode, we ponder on what civilians in the Trek universe even do. We get into: Where do civilians get their money? Is there still a class system in Trek? The refugee crisis in Star Trek Who's the worst dad in Starfleet? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes If you've ever had to slog through mountains of paperwork, make dozens of phone calls, and find yourself speaking to robots on the other end, you know how impossible and infuriating bureaucracy can be. But are there any benefits to it? And how does it function in Trek? Today we do a deep dive into the systems of government in Trek, what the holes are, and how we think we could fix it. We get into: Star Trek is about colonialism How does the portrayal of bureaucracy change over time in Trek? A debate about which Trek society are the libertarians What object would you remove from the Alpha Quadrant? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/nsfwonks https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes DOOOOON'T STOP BELIEEEEEEEVING! Oh hi, sorry, you caught us doing Journey karaoke during the Starfleet talent show.... wait what? Ever notice that no one in Star Trek listens to anything but classical music? Today, we're joined by our new host, Amy, to talk about why we think that is. Surely SOMEONE on the ship plays guitar, right? We get into: Where's the karaoke in Star Trek? Cultural shifts in the Trek future What do different Trek cultures say about ownership? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://twitter.com/nsfwonks https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Hey there space travelers! By reading this, you've demonstrated an incredible ability to understand written English. Ever think of how wild and amazing language is? We do all the time, so come join us as we discuss: How do we communicate? What is a language? What are the limitations of language and the Universal Translator? How do language and the truth interact? Posting culture and…. porn…. in Trek &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes In this episode, Rachel, Paul, and Cory come together the day after the January 6th Capitol riots. Fittingly, They discuss the Bell Riots, their place in the Star Trek universe, and more, including: How are our current (American) politics reflected in the Trek universe? Are the Bell Riots inevitable? Gene editing, artificial intelligence, and personhood Should the Internet be a public utility? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe

Episode Notes Welcome to Gay Space Communism! When you ask people how they started moving left politically, a large number of them will at some point mention a certain sci-fi franchise that has captured imaginations for decades by presenting the possibility of a better society. We're talking, of course, about Star Trek! In this maiden voyage of the Gay Space Communism podcast, our crew sails the length of the Star Trek timeline, violating the temporal prime directive, and some conventions of polite conversation. We get into: The science (and magic) of Trek How does Trek fit into history? The problematic parts of Trek Is Star Trek our future? &MORE Connect with us: https://twitter.com/gayspacecast https://notsafemedia.com/ https://www.patreon.com/notsafe