ANNOUNCEMENT: Next Season of Extra Sci Fi!

[@elijahdage5523]

take your time, don't actually hit the books though, they're better in mint condition.

[@caseygoddard]

Be careful...if you hit the books they might hit you back.

[@zekeiyf2003]

Pies lesu Domine (smack) Dona eis requiem (smack)

[@delivanov252]

Casey Goddard, Newtonian physics?

[@shawnheatherly]

I'm okay with this hiatus, it just means you'll be prepared for the Golden Age.

[@wafflesthewookiee4716]

Take as long as you need. No rush for the highest quality we can get.

[@sethewing2576]

I hereby concur

[@Roxor128]

One of Asimov's contemporaries is reported to have joked "Isaac Asimov once had writer's block. It was the worst ten minutes of his life."

[@josephcroeniangamer3727]

i love how the fucker described his inspiration like "well i live and as i just live and breath a shit ton of ideas and tales go trough my mind, its a fucking shit ton of them i could give those fuckers, i select the ones i like the most because i have to much of them, fuck, i have like three times more than the ones i wright" well... not in that way... its just how i get it from my frustration.

[@ampeyro]

Joseph CroenianGamer Yeah, but he could have spent some time reviewing his prose. Some of his works lean dangerously towards the bad side of pulp.

[@bemersonbakebarmen]

@@ampeyro "Idea Writer" is another way to say "Awfull writer with amazing concepts". Thats why his long novels are crap but his short stories are masterpieces.

[@vichodeivis1219]

Just do some math, add number here and another there, and make a psychohistorical model of the video/s you were going to make. Remember to divide by 42 to compensate basic model deviations

[@b.sharp.]

Vicho Deivis Did you just reference Foundation and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the same comment?

[@JamesHollowell]

How am I going to get my Sci-Fi history fix for the next six weeks!?!

[@dimitrijejovanovic5939]

By actually reading all the most prominent books of the era, along with the most of the books EC listed prevously

[@anlumo1]

Watch The Expanse for some great SciFi in the meantime.

[@PhantomHarlock78]

Asimov alone is worth 5 episodes. It is amazing how every one of your books has a well resolved ending. Very rare in sci-fi histories.

[@lettuceprime4922]

harlockmbb - Eh. Kinda. The Foundation series has one or two clever moments but it's usually just a swarm of deus ex machinas at the end of each of its narratives - the first half of _Foundation and Empire_ being the worst offender (the second half is some of the best fiction he's ever written though - that's for sure.) The robot trilogy is good for the most part, I suppose, although I haven't finished _Dawn_ yet so I can't say for certain. I think most of the Golden Age does satisfying endings pretty well.

[@PhantomHarlock78]

Yeah. I agree Foundation ending was not that good. Maybe Asimov was at end of your life, and maybe put robots and foundation together was not an easy fit. The main issue I was expecting something more cool the discover of Earth could be. In this sense I liked more the ending of Battlestar Galactica (except the explanation of the last 5 cylons).

[@lettuceprime4922]

harlockmbb - Yeah. I'm actually pretty behind on my Asimov. Haven't finished the Robot series. Haven't read past _Foundation's Edge._ Haven't even read _Nightfall._ I've heard _Foundation and Earth_ is a bit underwhelming though. Still need to read it to say for sure, though.

[@CRAZEERUSKEE]

Please please PLEASE cover Robert Heinlein. He really doesn't seem to get as much attention as he should despite being considered one of the 4 "Greats" of sci fi. On a personal note, his books (Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers, Have Space Suit - Will Travel, etc) are literally the reason why I pursued becoming an engineer

[@fox5s]

Heinlein's books were formative to my young mind and got me through some difficult times.

[@CRAZEERUSKEE]

100% same here! I'm not exaggerating when I say that I'd be an entirely different person had I not picked up my first Heinlein Book (Have Space Suit - Will Travel) at 10 years old.

[@timberry4709]

I wish I had job the REQUIRED me to read science fiction.

[@barbarayhivjaneahl3198]

Which ones are you reading? I wanna try to do a kinda book clubish thing with you guys.

[@Kidynamo123]

Barbara Pitts Well, for Asimov, he's definitely got to read the Foundation Trilogy

[@kylegantert4568]

Also the robot series is great. It has elements of sifi and mystery.

[@sethewing2576]

Extra books?

[@rparl]

And more recently, he linked the robots and the Foundation. But that's not Golden Age.

[@b.sharp.]

The Golden age of Sci fi tends to revolve around Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. So just read their most famous works, I'm guessing, would be the perfect start: I Robot, Foundation, The Sentinel, Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. I'm currently reading Foundation now lol

[@ForeverOutOfTime]

To anyone who decides to read Asimov's main work (by which I mean the robots short stories, The Caves of Steel and its sequels, Foundation and its sequels, and the 3 novels of the empire), I have some advice to improve your experience: 1) Read the books and short stories in the order they were originally published. Despite looking like several series of books and sequels, they're actually one big series fitting into one huge timeline. If you take a book at random, then read its sequels and do it again, you won't enjoy it as much as you should (and same thing if you read books in the order in which they happen in the timeline). Some of those books are meant to be read as prequels, and they lose a lot of impact if you read them in the wrong order. There's also a nice back and forth of Asimov introducing some technology in a novel, then showing primitive and advanced versions of that technology in other time periods. 2) Don't get tricked into purchasing all robot stories books; all of them are compilations of short stories, with huuuuge overlaps. I recommend The Complete Robot, which has most if not all of them, and in the right order at that. 3) Include The End of Eternity and Nemesis in your reading materials. While they're often left out because they're standalones which don't have sequels, the events which happen in those books are actually evoked within some books of Foundation, which can even spoil them for you.

[@TheRollsen]

I'm ok with this, i really like the dedication and courage to say that you need to take a break ti do the proper research

[@chrissyfrett9228]

You guys rock! I started following you guys for Extra Credits. Then Extra History has given me a newfound passion for History. Extra SciFi has taken that further. I recently finished reading the The Sorrows of Young Werther. A friend and I are going through The Martian Chronicles and Burning Chrome together. Thank you guys so much! I look forward to your content every week.

[@Callaxes]

God James you've improoved so much as a presenter. I remember falling asleep while listening to your old videos, but now your voice is clear, your intonation is varried and you give off a lot of energy in front of the camera. Lots of respect for improoving so much!

[@adriennegormley9358]

You have a ton of reading to do. I learned q hecka lot from Asimov's 2 volume autobiography ( In Memory Yet Green & In Joy Still Felt) because da good doctor kept a detailed diary I believe from when he was abt 15 and culled from it for the autobio. His younger brother, Stan, later judiciously edited those 2 into a single volume after Isaac died and won a Hugo award for it. As he was a pro editor, he did a good job of it. Most else what I know I learned in casual conversation online years ago, but that came from hanging out at WorldCons.

[@barrybend7189]

Let's hope the Herberts get their own video.

[@lettuceprime4922]

There is only one Herbert who can actually write - and his name is Frank. (Also, Brian didn't write anything until the 80's which is a bit late imo)

[@barrybend7189]

Lettuce Prime but I think both do deserve a video of their own as there's news of a Dune movie or TV series coming out. Plus people in Hollywood think Dune is Star wars for adults meanwhile it's the other way around. Star wars is Dune for kids.

[@lettuceprime4922]

Barry Bend - Yeah, but, only Frank's work is really any good. Star Wars is absolutely Frank Herbert's Dune saga for kids. Brian Herbert's Dune prequels are just the Star Wars prequels for no one in particular because no one liked the Star Wars prequels. Brian and KJA just aren't the worth the breath, I don't think. They've done more harm to the series than good.

[@nathanswensen1183]

Glad to hear it. I can't wait till y'all get to Heinlein, Starship Troopers is a masterpiece work on leadership.

[@DonalvonGriffyn]

Tunnel In The Sky and Moon Is A Harsh Mistress are both better at leadership than Starship Troopers, only they're more personal leadership than authoritarian leadership. A fine line, and one worth exploring. I'd like to see if my take on this matches with JP's.

[@nathanswensen1183]

I have yet to read Tunnel, but I agree that The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is fantastic. The authoritarian themes of Troopers, I think, are more creating a setting, rather than promoting authoritarianism. Notice that every leader demonstrated in Troopers has proven that they are worthy of command by being able to totally empathize with the orders they are issuing. No seargant has ever not been a foot slogger. No officer either. Every leader knows viscerally the danger their orders represent, and as a result, will never issue orders they would not carry out themselves. Good leadership incarnate.

[@lettuceprime4922]

Eep eep eep eep. Extra Sci fi about the Golden Age? Books I've actually already read being analyzed by this show? Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, LeGuin, Dick, Bradbury, Herbert, Aldiss, Elison and more? Eep eep eep. Take as long as you guys need. Hell, take summer off for all I care. It will be _absolutely_ worth the wait.

[@nw2kr8bc3t]

Man you reeaaally talk with your hand Not complaining just find it a bit amusing

[@maxi_rv_raxor]

He's like a modern wizard, he looks like one too O.O

[@nw2kr8bc3t]

Maximiliano Riquelme Vera *James casts a knowledge spell!*

[@nw2kr8bc3t]

:0 a heart, I have been bestowed the Heart of Respect and of Honor. *+150 hp*

[@Techno963]

Thank you and take your time Professor Biker Jesus

[@NotHPotter]

Please include "...for us, the living" in your coverage of Heinlein please and thank you.

[@sebastiannawara5943]

Will Stanisław Lem be included in this serie? I think this man deserves it.

[@scarredchild]

I'm going on a vacation anyway in two weeks, reading lots of syfy, including 'A Dreamers Tales' (different in the best ways, so thank you for that). Love 'Extra Sci Fi' btw. See you soon!

[@danielsjohnson]

scarred child ugh. The Sci-Fi Channel renaming themselves to Syfy Channel is starting to have an effect on others' spelling of "sci-fi".

[@b.sharp.]

Can you please give us your reading list so we can get caught up with everything before you start putting out the next season of videos?

[@popsikopper308]

Please don‘t forget Cordwainer Smith, specially his short stories.

[@poiesist]

Just decided to refresh myself on your awesome sci-fi series today, and what would you know? An update, posted today. Thanks for the good work, man

[@itac.2280]

Yeses! Thank you for all your hard work, I love this series, though I haven't had the time t watch all of them yet, exams and all that. I love how you can jump into any episode without missing anything! You're extra history and extra sci-fi are with no exaggeration my lifeline to relaxation and entertainment, keep up the amazing work! Hope you have a good break!

[@VectorMaximus]

I anxiously await seeing your comments on the Foundation series.

[@nomaxx1176]

Can't wait to see the next season! Asimov is one of my favourite authors! I'm curious to hear your take on his works.

[@LeoLazauskas]

Voltaire - Micromegas. Part I: A Voyage to the Planet Saturn by a Native of Sirius. That was published in 1752 and should be included in your earliest examples of scifi.

[@LAKINGSFAN99]

Love this series! Wish you had the AMC series instead of James Cameron.

[@pedroscoponi4905]

Is there a list of the books you're going to be reading so we can try to follow along? I'm swarmed with things right now but I'm sure others in the comments would like that very much.

[@JayredPotter]

I look forward to seeing what videos come next with the golden era of sci-fi. Though as I mentioned that I think it could be kind of cool to do a extra credits book club, maybe following along with some of the golden age of sci-fi stuff

[@ashley587]

This is probably my favorite series you guys do, I can't wait!

[@leadersofthenewschool]

the leather jacket...! frosty af man👍

[@kevinkerkhoff6670]

That would be the perfect time to do just one episode of Extra Remix :D

[@falconJB]

Could you give us the list so we can read ahead?

[@beretperson]

"Isaac Asimov wrote a lot of stuff" -James with the understatement of the century.

[@TGNXAR]

I wrote the very same thing. Didn't spot your comment until later.

[@kotymcneal8589]

I love this series so much, I've learned so much. Currently reading Dune, maybe I will be done when you all start up again? Happy reading can't wait for next season!!

[@5kastubh5]

Can you give us list of the novels you are gonna read?

[@J3Compton]

After reading Childhood's End, Rendezvous with Rama, and The Fountains of Paradise, my opinion is that you can just skip Clarke so you can spend more time on Heinlein and Asimov, as well as a bit more time on less-knowns of the time like Simak, George Stewart, Alfred Bester, and such. Maybe even regress/digress and cover Constantin/Burdekin. But then again, maybe you'll convince me that Clarke wasn't a waste of my time.

[@Duntorah]

Noooo! I just recently read through Asimov's Foundation series and his Robots series and am super excited to see your take on them, but yeah, there's a lot to read. Take your time and enjoy them, because they're adventure.

[@DonalvonGriffyn]

I hope you're reading a lot of Heinlein to go with the Asimov. Good information is worth waiting for, take your time and do it right.

[@DavidChipman]

Anyone else disappointed to hear this, yet in hindsight not really surprised? Hit the books my man! God, six weeks seems like it'll be a long time....

[@danielsjohnson]

David Chipman notice he said six-ISH weeks. So it might take a little longer or shorter amount of time.

[@DavidChipman]

Well, take as much time as you need, to make it good. I like your groups video quality.

[@FrankKittchnerIII]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and oh how my heart yearns for Sci fi.

[@bizushipichon650]

I love this series so much. It’s such a brilliant addition to the normal lineup.

[@The1Helleri]

Wow... Haven't looked at a video with him in it for a while (I mostly just watch the game design related stuff). He's really come out of his shell.

[@Tommy-5684]

i know its a lesser known Sci-Fi book but id love to see you do "the glass bees" by Ernst Junger

[@GamerFromJump]

*_The history of Baen_* would be a good series. Jim Baen did a lot for Scifi, and was an early pioneer of eBooks as promotional material. Not to mention not dicking us over with DRM.

[@frankharr9466]

That makes sense. Asimov DID write in every major section of the Dewy Decimal system. I had an opportunity to buy a book he did on Shakespeare. I wish I'd done it. What is your background. I'm amazed at your breadth.

[@morganburt2565]

I love this series with a passion and I want it to be as good as possible! Thank you for what you’re doing!!

[@maskofice9432]

I recently got some Isaac Asimov books myself, maybe I should try reading one or two of them during this break so I'm a bit more informed

[@fox5s]

I'm excited! Heinlein is probably my favorite author and he's barely been mentioned so far.

[@nibitri]

That's sad. I'm enjoying it to the fullest! You're the first one to examine this on KZbin. I'll be waiting. God bless

[@KFaria27]

Loving this series so very much! Thanks!

[@pablorepetto2759]

James, you do a lot of research really quickly. Do you have a method to it?

[@AskAScreenwriter]

What a great job! Read a lot of books, and talk about them with other interested people on-line! Enjoy your reading!

[@jerri1918]

ooh actually I’m gonna use these six weeks to read up on sci fi as well

[@DarthSyid]

Can't wait guys! Loving the series! Hoping for many more to come including extra fantasy!

[@wakomike29]

Any book recs to get us ready for the next season? Or how about a "James Recommends Sci-Fi Books" to help hold us over!

[@YoFreshWiggy]

I have an ever growing list of books I've been inspired to read, thanks to you guys! So... Maybe I 'll get some reading done too. lol

[@TheChillLefty]

Asimov wrote a lot is a massive understatement. He may have been one of, if not the most, prolific writers in human history.

[@adoredpariah]

I really appreciate the amount of research that goes into your work in general.

[@totallynuts7595]

Soo we are pretty much closing in on the 6 week mark

[@SuperHipsterGamer]

Dune? We're going to get Dune? Please say you're doing Dune! I want you guys to do Dune! Why haven't you done Dune? Please?

[@prime_resistor]

I'm certain they'll get to it eventually.

[@lettuceprime4922]

James' PS4 gamertag was once 'Duke_Leto' so I think we're guaranteed AT LEAST ONE Dune episode, lol.

[@1tjos]

is the Sci Fi series specific to books or will you also talk about Films and TV, Star Trek for example.

[@hansgomez1317]

Its ok to get prepared to do a quality job. Would you be posting the books so those of ys who havent read them can go alo g you??

[@Blackerer]

Gotta finish ALL those Frank Herbert books and short stories etc. since Dune series is not enough, you see. And then Asimov, and Clarke, and Heinlein, and... Yes, thats a lot to read.

[@xyvazkrown8048]

remember the algorithm doesn't like it when you miss consistent due dates, but we don't care we'll always come back ^.^

[@TGNXAR]

"Isaac Asimov wrote a lot of stuff." This wins the award for Understatement of the Century.

[@OldieBugger]

Man, I sure hope you're a speed reader, since these Grand Masters of SF wrote tons and tons of stories and novels.

[@philipmoore9098]

Caves of steel, please! It was a childhood favorite of mine

[@deviaan]

Oh I can get caught up too. I just got to the currents of space

[@ampeyro]

Take your time, I'm pretty sure a lot of us fans also needed some catching up. My bucket list was growing out of control!

[@tomwoolsey1089]

Love this series! Keep it coming!

[@jahenders]

I sure hope you've got 2-3 episodes coming on Asimov, not just one.

[@mattbroderick7005]

*puts reminder in calendar

[@skyhikes]

I'm excited for this because I desperately need this to improve my comic.

[@rileyhearon476]

Dos this mean more extra credits and extra history in the meantime?

[@julianwalde4810]

can't wait (no hurries :) though I consider assimov, clarke, herbert, and heinlein the ancients when it comes to scifi literature. There is a lot of modern literature Peter F. Hamilton / James S.A. Corey / Richard K Morgan god-damn even George R.R. Martin wrote some really good scifi.

[@jasondads9509]

So James needs to write extra credits do research of extra history, write extra history, Read a ton of books and do game design consultations and stream, all while travelling everywhere. Wow

[@arvidp.247]

It will be a hard time but I'm sure it'll pay off. Extra Sci-Fi has immediately become my favourite thing on this channel.

[@paualamar]

This season has already given me soooo much homework... I just wish i had the time to get started, but being on the job hunting (unemployed) aint easy.

[@facelesscoward321]

I'm loving these so far! Keep up the great work!

[@ImaginaryMdA]

I for one am glad your vest doesn't have buttons!

[@davidbunner6708]

Boo for the break, but really cool you get to read Sci Fi for "work".

[@LordKarandras]

you have 400-ish glorious books ahead of you ! Enjoy!

[@penguinorojo8962]

But how will I know what to read next!

[@zvimur]

If it has "robots" or "Foundation" in the title, read it. Warning: read in publication order, at late stage Asimov went heavy into prequels.

[@trimboli_design]

Loving this series, take your time friends.

[@websterwing8225]

The latest extra credits video lends itself to another question. Who is going to voice Extra SciFi's next season?

[@ابوعابد-س4ث]

Who else is looking forward to the 40k episode thats bound to happen sometime in the next millennium?

[@diegoviniciomejiaquesada4754]

6 weeks? But the other videos will come like normal right?

[@kalemercer7053]

Well miss you but we're not going any ware, please come back as soon as you can. I love you content and love the fact you do your research and take your time doing so.

[@burningbox6660]

See you in six to ten weeks you guys,can't wait to see all the "gold" you guys have to offer.

[@SebastianWeinberg]

"Isaac Asimov wrote a lot of stuff." And the _Greatest Understatement of the Millennium Award_ goes to… *James Portnow!* Seriously. Anyone who thinks Asimov wrote a lot of _SciFi,_ should check out his _full_ bibliography. Writing SciFi stories was practically a mere _hobby._

[@Lupinstein]

Isaac Asimov is the only author to have been published under all ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal system :)

[@selbyblair]

Don't forget to do a big vid on Robert E. Howard

[@freaksuyash]

Asimov did go a little ballistic, I have read all of it. But if I were expected to reproduce his work in any manner, I too would hit the books again.

[@davidhueso]

Read all those BOOKS JAMES ! READ AND HIT EM HARD so I can draw some pretty episodes !

[@johnstobie1163]

its cool, everyone needs a break but is this only Extra sci fi, or the whole channel?