DEATH // SENTENCE

Is Elon Musk just a guy who can't post, or is he the avatar of Muskism - a new philosophy for our postliberal age? Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff's book Muskism: A Guide For the Perplexed argues the latter, taking us through techno-fascist South Africa to Silicon Valley - and along the way we find out that two of the most insightful critics of technology and neoliberalism know a *lot* about anime. Music by Neurosis: https://neurosis.bandcamp.com/album/an-undying-love-for-a-burning-world You too can become meme by joining our Discord (it's free): https://discord.gg/mk928WGds

Langdon and Eden dive into the collapse, tackling Event Factory, the first book from Renee Gladman's Ravicka novels. Meaning disappears, rituals empty of signal, and the malaise of our urban existence is revealed. But also, potentials are exposed, connections are made, and understanding hinted at. Music played: Ordh - Apis Bull https://ordh.bandcamp.com/track/apis-bull

Sports betting, crypto, predictions markets, Buy Now Pay Later, getting a credit card to pay off your credit card - what if we said that isn't even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to nihilism and finance? Amin Samman joins us to talk about his book Currency of Nihilism, punk rock, the abyss of meaning that is money and why French poststructuralists are Like That. Music by Warning: https://warningdoom.bandcamp.com/album/rituals-of-shame Give us your money: https://www.patreon.com/DeathSentence Hang out with us on Discord (for free!): https://discord.gg/zHBV9qCE

This time around, we go back to the early 20th century to discuss a foundational work of British Weird - The Human Chord by Algernon Blackwood! We survey the cultural trends of the 19th and 20th century literary and occult scenes in general, the gripping power of this tight and precise novel, and the feeling of dread and awe so often invoked by the weird. Music played: Cryptic Shift - Hyperspace Topography https://cryptic-shift.bandcamp.com/track/hyperspace-topography-2

All books are bad but Langdon and Eden have stumbled on one that SHOULD have been good but is actually awful - PKD and Roger Zelazny's Deus Irae. Confused theology, mish-mashed desert journeys, and more questions without answers than a church all blend together in a collaboration that should, and almost did, stay unpublished. Music played - Exxûl - Blighted Deity https://productionstso.bandcamp.com/track/blighted-deity

Eden launches into Hiron Ennes' The Works of Vermin, using it as a platform to explore ideas around the potentials and contradictions of living in modern cities. He also discusses the influence of the French Second Empire (yes) on the New Weird, why that period of time holds so much of interest, and sketches an upcoming essay on these ideas. Music played: Pallbearer - The Ghost I Used to Be (2025 Mix) https://pallbearer.bandcamp.com/track/the-ghost-i-used-to-be-2025-mix

Langdon and Eden meet to discuss a smörgåsbord (say it with us) of topics like mental health, the uses of online discourse, and a collection of books they've been reading. Music played: The Holy Pale by Wildhunt https://jawbreakerrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-holy-pale

Eden is joined by friend of the cast Jesse Kohn (The Book of Webs) to talk about Leonora Carrington's beguiling and dense The Stone Door. Unfortunately, this episode is marred by the Brown University and Bondi Beach shootings. A better world is possible. Demand utopia. Music played: The Tea Club - The Bell Ringer https://theteaclub.bandcamp.com/track/the-bell-ringer

Langdon conjures forth the Wizard's Castle once more, this time trapping Branson Reese (HELL WAS FULL, SWAN BOY, Rude Tales of Magic, and more) within its sorcerous corridors. While there, the two discuss what makes jokes funny, the impact of the morality of art, and The Simpsons (among other things). Music played - Yellow Eyes - Brush the Frozen Horse https://yelloweyes.bandcamp.com/track/brush-the-frozen-horse

Langdon and Eden explore the significance of literary awards, discussing their curatorial value and how to discover new books. They delve into John M. Ford's 'Web of Angels,' highlighting its unique take on cyberpunk with psychedelic space opera elements. The hosts trace the evolution of phone networks and telephony, and they praise Ford's messy brilliance and his visionary themes. Their discussion also touches on the connections between Ford's work and other influential authors in the genre, rounding out with thoughtful music recommendations.