Science Fiction Book Club: Ted Chiang

A podcast for bookworms and stargazers

Author: Lore Party Media

Science Fiction Book Club is a podcast for bookworms and stargazers. In every episode, hosts Abu and Obssa dive into the pages of their favorite science fiction novels to break down the big ideas and ask the nerdy questions. This isn't just a generic book review podcast it's a show made for and with a community of passionate sci-fi fans. So join the club, and get reading! New episodes every other Thursday.
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Language: en

Genres: Arts, Books, Hobbies, Leisure

Contact email: Get it

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Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom (Exhalation) by Ted Chiang
Thursday, 1 January, 2026

Abu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Obssa complete their read-through of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exhalation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Ted Chiang. They dive into the ninth short story in the collection, Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom, and explore the horrifying and empowering cost of true free will. Get bonus content and helpful reading materials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/scifibookclubpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep the conversation going in our free Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/bVrhwWm7j4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch the video version of this episode: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@loreparty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep up with this season’s reading schedule: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/sfbc-season3⁠⁠⁠ (00:00) Intro (02:38) Summary (07:17) Our Impressions (17:03) Free Will is Dizzying (21:22) Are Your Decisions Meaningless? (24:01) The Horrible Price of Free Will (27:08) Grappling with Infinite Possibilities (32:52) You Have the Power to Change (36:36) Final Ratings (39:24) What We're Reading Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices