Can a Robot Teach Us About Being Human? 🤖 (Let’s talk Murderbot.)


Episode 005

All Systems Red by Martha Wells.

Shereese Alexander (aka The Sci-Fi Savage) joins us to chat about All Systems Red, the first book in Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries. We explore whether a snarky, soap-opera-obsessed security unit can teach us what it really means to be human. Spoiler: it can.

Whether you’re already deep into the series or just curious why everyone’s talking about Murderbot, this conversation will get your gears turning.

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The premise?

All Systems Red by Martha Wells centers on a self-aware security android that has secretly hacked its own governor module, freeing itself from corporate control. Instead of going rogue and killing humans—as everyone fears—it mostly wants to be left alone to binge-watch entertainment feeds.

But when a survey mission on a distant planet goes wrong, the android (which dubs itself "Murderbot") must step up to protect its human clients… all while hiding the fact that it’s no longer under orders.

At its core, the novella explores themes of autonomy, personhood, and what it means to be "human"—through the eyes of a machine that wants nothing more than to be left out of it.

🎧 Listen now to hear:

  • Why Shereese picked All Systems Red (and how Murderbot won her heart)
  • How the novella handles identity, autonomy, and non-binary representation
  • What makes Murderbot relatable — and a little tragic
  • How the Apple TV+ adaptation is stirring up casting debates
  • Shereese’s thoughts on AI, humanity, and creating content that connects

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Can a Robot Teach Us About B...
Jul 24 · Sci-Fi Book Pod
31:11
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Whether you’re a rogue security unit, a media junkie, or just someone trying to survive the Corporation Rim... you belong here.

Until next time, keep your visor clean and your stories queued.
​Admiral Kandas & Space Cadet 2nd Class Shane

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PS - Be sure to subscribe because you don't want to miss our next conversation about my personal favorite sci-fi book of all time, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

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