“When is a machine not a machine?” I chat with clinical psychologist, comic book character, and OG pop culture psychology expert, Dr. Drea Letamendi as we geek out about the first half of Alien: Earth (2025). We wouldn’t dare talk about the series without celebrating the greatness of Ellen Ripley. We talk about the show’s ragtag cast of cyborgs, synthetics, hybrids, and humans. We discuss the psychological challenges of children adapting to super-powered adult bodies. We talk about how our group of “lost boys” learns to work together as a team during a rescue mission fraught with danger. We even talk about the power dynamics and ethical dilemmas of living under a narcissistic tech bro and The Five, the corporations that replaced countries as sovereign powers. (Glad we won’t actually live in that world… cough cough.) Don’t go into hypersleep without listening — cuddle up with your ship’s cat and press play!
Check out Dr Drea Letamendi’s website!
Check out The summer of Psy-Fi on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh-_W5Gh1Ic&list=PLG0szTOgxKS5pDWTDma8ovMC-DRHSJJIg
Check out the Arkham Sessions:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-arkham-sessions-psychology-of-batman-more/id806565467
Follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drdreapsychology/
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https://bsky.app/profile/drdrea.bsky.social
Check out my new website! https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com
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