We are happy to report that both Jason V Brock and Sunni K Brock are program participants at Chicon 8 – The 80th World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago September 1-5, 2022.
Our official programming events are:
Friday, September 2, 2022
2:30PM Deja ‘Boots: Here We Go Again – Jason V Brock (moderator)
There has been a trend of reboots in current popular media. Is retro or vintage “in” again? What is the reason for this? Is Hollywood running out of ideas? How does this resurgence impact geekdom? Join this discussion to hear from attendees on what reboots they’ve enjoyed or disliked and their perspectives on the resurgence of reboots in popular media. There has been a trend of reboots in current popular media. Is retro or vintage “in” again? What is the reason for this? Is Hollywood running out of ideas? How does this resurgence impact geekdom? Join this discussion to hear from attendees on what reboots they’ve enjoyed or disliked and their perspectives on the resurgence of reboots in popular media.
2:30PM When Rock and SFF Collide – Sunni K Brock (moderator)
From Flyin’ Saucer Rock and Roll to Hawkwind to Janelle Monae and beyond, rock and pop have always embraced other worlds. Come explore a few of the crossovers and a few of the collisions.
4:00PM Autograph Session – Jason V Brock (autographing), Sunni K Brock (autographing) at the autographing table (TBD).
7:00PM Table Talk with Jason V Brock
The Table Talk is an informal gathering of a guest with a small number of attendees discussing their work; also called a kaffeeklatsch (pronounced “coffee-klatch”) or literary beer. Sign up details will be posted closer to the convention at Table Talks – Chicon 8.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
11:30AM Speculative Tastes: Recreating Food and Drink from SFF – Sunni K Brock (panelist)
Fandom-themed teas, cookbooks, and cocktails abound these days for folks to try at home or purchase at themed restaurants or events. But what goes into defining the taste of a food or drink not found in our world? Do you need a degree in molecular gastronomy to do it? Join our panel of kitchen witches, mad scientists, and bartending bots for a conversation on their favorite items, their creative processes, and trips for inventing your own at home.
1:00PM Avant Garde Art and Speculative Fiction: Parallel Visionaries – Jason V Brock (moderator)
Laurie Anderson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, M.C. Escher, and others have all influenced visualization found within SFF. This panel will be focused on exploring these inspirations and the ripples they’ve created in their application.
7:00PM The Problematic History of Speculative Fiction – Jason V Brock (panelist)
The SFF and Horror genres are littered with problematic figures. Lovecraft. Campbell. Zimmer Bradley. Rowling. They span the modern history of the genres, and are integral to understanding how the genres developed into what they are today. Where do we see the ongoing legacy of their bigotry and other injustices, and how do we address these issues when considering older works? How can we move on to ensure a more welcoming and inclusive future?
Sunday, September 4, 2022
5:30PM Ray Bradbury’s Preposterously Productive 1946 – Jason V Brock (panelist)
Ray Bradbury published an incredible seventeen short stories in 1946, including key pieces of what would become The Martian Chronicles and a collaboration with Leigh Brackett. Today, Bradbury is remembered as one of science fiction’s most beloved authors, but in 1946, this would-be Grand Master was just a few years into his professional career. Our panelists will unpack this early stage in Bradbury’s career. (This panel is part of the 1946 project, a look back at the year in lieu of awarding Retro Hugo Awards.)
7:00PM Income Inequality in Science Fiction – Sunni K Brock (panelist)
As predicted in part by the cyberpunk movement, one of the defining features of the 21st century has been an increasing economic disparity that warps politics and policy. Is this inevitable, and how is this reflected in science fiction literature? Our panel will discuss depictions of extreme wealth as well as more utopian visions in which the power of extreme capital has been tamed.
