Joseph F. Kolacinski

Stars End S6E12 With Foundation Season 3 in the rearview, we attempt to take a holistic look at the entire season and put it all into perspective, not just within the show but its production. Spoilers to come as usual! We're joined by Travis Johnson, Friend of Stars End, formerly of the Black Alert Podcast and Star Trek Podigy, both Star Trek Podcasts, and much more!

On the new #StarsEndPodcast we recap #Foundation Season 3 with Friend of Stars End Travis Johnson! Can we crawl from the wreckage Listen and see!

#FoundationOnAppleTVPlus #AppleTVPlus #Asimov #ScienceFiction #Psychohistory

Stars End S6E11 Hoo boy! That was one hell of a season finale, wasn't it? You may have noticed that none of us were exactly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as we remonstrated about Foundation's Season 3, Episode 10, "The Darkness." "The Darkpodcastness." Spoiler Alert, as usual. Of course, you can listen without watching first, but this one needs to be seen to be believed.

On the new @StarsEnd Podcast, we tried hiding under the covers but... that's nothing but MORE DARKNESS! Can we see the light! Listen and see!

With special guest @CoraBuhlert!

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus #Foundation

Stars End S6E10 In which we ruminate about Foundation, S3E09, "The Paths that Choose Us." Spoiler Alert, as if that wasn't obvious. If you thought that episode 8 was intense, this one was a philosophical gut punch after another. And they come, fast and powerful. We see the full extent of the Mule's power as Gaal tries to free Warden Greer. And we see Dusk, despite the "genetic drift," doing the most Cleonic Thing possible.

On the new #StarsEndPodcast, #Foundation is getting intense as we fly through the final few episodes. Join us as we try to follow The Paths That Choose Us!

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus

Stars End S6E09 Join us for another barn burner of an episode as we look below the surface of Foundation, S3E08, “Skin in the Game!” Brother Dude goes on trial, Brother Dawn wakes up, and Brother Dusk is up to something so sinister that Demerzel is preconfessing. We're picking up speed as we slide into the inevitable conclusion! Also, what's up with Bayta? Don't miss this one! "Skin in the Podcast" StarsEndPodcast.com

Stars End S6E09

Join us for another barn burner of an episode as we look below the surface of Foundation, S3E08, “Skin in the Game!” Brother Dude goes on trial, Brother Dawn wakes up, and Brother Dusk is up to something so sinister that Demerzel is preconfessing. We're picking up speed as we slide…

Watching Foundation: “Foundation’s End” ere we go again! My impressions, insights, and interpretations from watching the episode. If you haven't watched the episode yet, what's holding you back? Spoiler Alert. Proceed at your own risk. Simultaneously published at Stars End: a Foundation Podcast and Comics, The Universe, and Everything. Watching Foundation S3E07 Nice title. It could be the name of an Asimov book in a different universe.

There's a premium on characters so let's just call this one "Watching Foundation's End!" Watch the new episode now or check this out first. It's up to you!

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus

Stars End S6E08 Foundation, S3E07, "Foundation's End" is another episode that demands analysis! And has big revelations! Don't tell anyone, but I may have squeed. We have another special guest to help us wrap our heads around this one! "Podcast's End" Spoiler alerts, as usual. And don't let the title frighten you; we're not going anywhere! In this one, she names the robot that dare not speak its name.

This week on the @StarsEndPodcast we experience "#Foundation's End!"

Join us as we talk with special guest Paul Levinson about what may be the best episode of #Foundation yet! Don't miss this one!

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus

Watching Foundation: “The Shape of Time” Here we go again! My random thoughts and reactions as I watched, and rewatched, the episode. Spoiler Alert, obviously. Simultaneously published at Stars End: a Foundation Podcast and Comics, The Universe, and Everything. Watching Foundation S3E06 Panicky Mule, not a nightmare but “a vision.” Pritcher… “He was like me… I realize… he gave me a great gift.” Initially, I wondered if this was “the Mule” exhibiting powers without Magnifico.

The next episode of #Foundation releases tonight.

In the meantime, here's "Watching Foundation for S3E06 "The Shape of Time!"

#Asimov #AppleTVPlus #ScienceFiction #Podcasts #FoundationOnAppleTVPlus

Stars End S6E07 Let's chat about Foundation, S3E06, "The Shape of Time!" It's a big episode and we have a big guest star to enlarge our conversation. We call this one, "The Shape of the Podcast," and people are already calling it "longer than usual!" As you proceed, be warned! Here be spoilers! If the mark of a great episode is that it becomes even more interesting on a second watch, then this one checks the box!

On the new @StarsEndPodcast we try to portray "The Shape of Time!" With Rick from the Infinite Potato Alliance!

#Foundation #Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus

Watching Foundation: “Where Tyrants Spend Eternity” As always, my reactions to the episode as I watched it and rewatched it. Unfortunately, this one did not exactly get more interesting upon closer scrutiny. Simultaneously published at Stars End: a Foundation Podcast and Comics, The Universe, and Everything. Watching Foundation S3E05 This is a very cool shot with the hoverbike driving vertically down the side of a building.

In 5-6 hours the new episode should drop. In the meantime, here's the "Watching #Foundation" for "Where Tyrants Spend Eternity!"

This one's a bit of a step down.

Plus the usual nonsense!

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast #Podcasts #AppleTVPlus

August 13, 2025 On August 14, 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

It’s the 90th anniversary of the Social Security act.

This is well worth a read!

open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...

Stars End S6E06 In which we discuss Apple TV+'s Foundation, S3E05 - "Where Tyrants Spend Eternity." "Where Podcasts Spend Eternity." We didn't love this episode as much as the last one. Do you remember the Star Trek Episode "Court Martial?" It's the one where Captain Kirk is accused of murdering Lt. Commander Benjamin Finney. It's a little like that. The climax of the episode comes when Kirk's attorney, Samuel T.

Well, we weren't as crazy about this episode as we were about Episode 4. Join us on the next @StarsEndPodcast where we talk about "Where Tyrants Spend Eternity." #AppleTVPlus's #Foundation

#SciFi #Asimov #Podcasts #ScienceFiction #StarsEndPodcast

Watching Foundation: “The Stress of Her Regard” Are we looking at a parable for when our large language models become actual artificial intelligence?  Or is it bigger?  This might not be the realm of “Measure of a Man.”  There’s already a religion in Mycogen that worships robots. We could be encroaching on the territory of “The Last Question.” I’m circling back to an Arthur C. Clarke quote that I probably first encountered in Report on Planet Three, “Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God — but to create Him.”

Here's "Watching #Foundation" on "The Stress of Her Regard!"

Another Triumph for Roxann Dawson! The highpoint of S4 so far!

Also, Joseph goes on about stuff.

#Asimov #ScienceFiction #SciFi #StarsEndPodcast

Stars End S6E05 Join us as we talk about Foundation, S3E04, "The Stress of Her Regard." It's an episode so big, so intense, and so seismic that it'll take FOUR of us to talk about it! In 1893, Nikola Tesla invented an ⁠earthquake machine⁠! Legend has it that by 1898, the machine was so powerful that neighbors called the police, afraid that Tesla's laboratory was about to shake itself apart!

Do you know what #StarsEndPodcast S2E05, S4E05, and S6E05 have in common? Special Guest Joel McKinnon, host of the stellar ⁠Seldon Crisis Podcast! Join us as we break down "The Stress of Her Regard," one of the best episodes of #AppleTVPlus's #Foundation!

#SciFi #Asimov #Podcasts #ScienceFiction

Watching Foundation: “When A Book Finds You” Episode 2 will be next, so I can hopefully get on track for publishing these before the next episode. You remember how these work. These are Joseph's reactions, reflections, and ruminations while watching the episode. Also some light summary. Beware. Here be spoilers. Simultaneously published at Stars End: A Foundation Podcast. Watching Foundation S3E03 Book! I assume we’re talking about…

Want more of #AppleTV+'s #Foundation? The new episode drops at soon!

In the meantime, check out the @StarsEnd Podcast or revisit "When a Book Finds You" with the latest "Watching Foundation!"

Don't miss it!!

#Asimov #AppleTVplus #sciencefiction #Podcasts #FoundationOnAppleTVPlus

Starts smashing the button with both fists

Stars End S6E04 We discuss Foundation, S3E03, "When a Book Finds You." "When a Podcast Finds You." Now, you may find yourself grooving in a Kalgan rave. Or, you may find yourself with an intuitive giraffe. Or, you may find yourself in the stacks of a large imperial library. Or, you may find yourself with a dubious prince, with a dubious beard.

On the new @StarsEndPodcast, It's S3E03 of #AppleTVPlus's #Foundation!

Is this the best episode of the season so far? Is the Mule really the Mule? And where's Giskard?

#SciFi #Asimov #Podcasts #ScienceFiction #TheMule #TheStarsEndPodcast

Watching Foundation: “A Song for the End of Everything”

We're at the start of a season, so here's a quick reminder of how these work. While watching the episode, I write down my thoughts, impressions, connections, and theories — half-baked or otherwise. Then we record the podcast. Eventually, I…

Stars End S6E03 In which we talk about Foundation S3E02, "Shadows in the Math." "Shadows in the Podcast" Spoiler Alert! You know what to do! The pieces are starting to fall into place! S3E02 begins with a brief review of how the Second Foundation has evolved over the past 150 years! We see the Mule trying to consolidate power on Kalgan and get to meet Torin and Bayta!

On the next @StarsEndPodcast, we dissect S3E02 of #AppleTVPlus's #Foundation!

Who, in all humility, builds a statue to himself? Have all those Cleon's gone nuts? And who's gonna party with the Mule? Join us and see! Let's GO!!

#SciFi #Asimov #Podcasts #ScienceFiction

Stars End S6E02 In which we discuss Apple TV+'s Foundation, S3E01, "A Song For The End of Everything." "A Podcast for the End of Everything" Now we're into the meat of our new, even-numbered season as we finally have a real teevee episode to talk about! As always, this way lies spoilers. If you care about such things, get thee to the platform!

Well, S3 of #Foundation on #AppleTVPlus has burst out of the jump gate!

There's a lot to talk about! Spoiler alert: we do!

Join us as we break down S3E1: "A Song for the End of Everything!" Don't miss the fun!

#ScienceFiction #Asimov #Podcasts

S3E01, A Song for the End of Everything has dropped early!
#FoundationTV #Foundation_ #Asimov

Stars End S6E01 We preview season 3 of Foundation on Apple TV+ and make some announcements! "I Can Worm My Way Into People's Podcasts." It's an even-numbered season of the Stars End podcast! You know what that means! Our Second Interregnum has come to a close! The big news, of which you're already, no doubt, aware, is the return of Foundation to Apple TV+!

Season 3 of #AppleTVPlus's Foundation_
drops Friday!

We preview that in the Season Premiere of the @StarsEndPodcast
!

You don't want to miss this! Let's take this journey together!

#Podcasts #ScienceFiction #Asimov #StarsEndPocast #Foundation

A New Declaration of Independence from Tyranny Effective July 4, 2025

#July4th #Patriotism #Trump #DeclarationOfIndependence #Resist

open.substack.com/pub/borowitz...

I’ve been thinking about this since the Senate passed the Big Betrayal Bill. It was Murkowski from Alaska who made the difference. AK has 1/40th the population of California.

“One state, two votes” no longer works. It’s time to apportion the senate.

That will help fix Electoral College too.

YouTube video by UnAmericanBandstand Woody Guthrie~ All You Fascists Bound To Lose

Happy Independence Day to everyone although this year it feels anxious and bittersweet.

So here’s an appropriate song for the day by Woody Guthrie. Woody’s what I picture when I think of a #patriot.

#fourthofjuly #july4th #music #ThisMachineKillsFascists #America

youtu.be/VwcKwGS7OSQ?...

This is exactly correct. And this is a good reason why we could move to the final round as we did.

I was merely pointing out that the rationale for moving onto the final round needed to be a bit more nuanced, and this works.

If Lander had been able to surpass Cuomo to make second place, Cuomo’s votes would have been redistributed and Lander could have moved into first in the final round.

It shouldn’t matter if there aren’t enough votes below for a candidate to win only that they cannot move up in the ranking.

That isn’t a good enough reason. Thinking that way could lead to erroneous results.

However, it’s also true that no one after the third round could gather enough votes to make it into second place. Because of that this makes sense. We have to be careful about this stuff!

Thank you! That helped!

Goddamn it! This is worse than having PT Barnum as President.

Care to elaborate?

Democratic Wins Media on Substack BREAKING: In a stunning moment, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski just admitted Donald Trump’s reconciliation package is awful despite voting for it. This is insane.

This is disappointing. Senator Murkowski admits she voted for a bad bill, putting Alaska’s interest over everyone else’s.

Representative government works when we consider what’s best for ourselves AND the nation as a whole. A “no” vote would have still helped Alaska.

substack.com/@demwinsmedi...