HeyJaredAncient Geeks
Two old geeks talk about being young geeks, at a turning point in popular culture. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the threads of modern geek culture emerged and wove together.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 11
- Latest publication
- Sep 14, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 6, 2026
Latest episodes
Ancient Geeks episode 84: The Tombs Of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin (opens the original)
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Continuing our coverage of Ursula K. Le Guin's first three Earthsea books, we turn to The Tombs Of Atuan. This time, the focus is on a female protagonist, Tenar, and her very dark coming-of-age story. She's the high priestess of one of the most depressing, oppressive religions in fantasy literature. Nevertheless, the adults in the temple keep telling her of how wonderful it is to be the spiritual leader of a faith centered on a lightless labyrinth and mute gods, all in the middle of a desert. Wh
Ancient Geeks episode 83: A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin (opens the original)
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We begin our three-part coverage of Ursula K. Le Guin's classic fantasy series, starting with A Wizard Of Earthsea. It starts with a story arc that may sound familiar, a young magician finding his way in the world. But, as you'll hear, it's so much more than just another coming of age story with spells and dragons. Steven read the Earthsea Trilogy (it was only the three books then) when he was young. Tom just read them. Both of us have a lot of praise to heap on the first book in the series. It'
Ancient Geeks episode 82: Planet of the Apes TV, cartoons, comics, and wrap-up (opens the original)
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The popularity of the original series of five Planet of the Apes movies meant there would be more than just a chain of sequels. In this episode, we talk about the POTA spin-offs of the 70s, including a short-lived TV series, a cartoon series that was definitely not written for children, and a series of black and white magazines from Marvel Comics. Plus, we talk about the enduring appeal of the original series of movies. Beyond nostalgia, what has made the POTA films a lasting part of popular cul
Ancient Geeks episode 81: Battle for the Planet of the Apes (opens the original)
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The fifth and final movie of the original Planet of the Apes raised expectations. It's going to be the last movie...and the title says that there will be a battle for the entire planet...and there are apes and mutants fighting on the movie poster. Great Cornelius' ghost! Bring on the battle! What the movie delivered was a bit smaller. Battle of the Planet of the Apes picked up just a few years after Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. In the interim, a lot has happened. And hasn't happened. But
Ancient Geeks episode 80: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (opens the original)
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Ever wonder how we went from the swinging Sixties and Seventies to the brutal oppression of apes over humans? Conquest of the Planet of the Apes tells that story. The child of Cornelius and Zira, whom we saw as a newborn in the last movie, is now all grown up now. He doesn't like what he sees, in a world where apes are enslaved, humans are decadent, the architecture is brutal, and turtlenecks are all the rage. As you might expect from the title, the status quo is about to endure a hammer blow! P
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