Uncanny TV: A Pilot Episode that Provides Uplifting and Entertaining Instilled Activism

The Lextopia has gotten increasingly political since 2016. Nothing wrong with that path, especially if it brings in readers who feel that they get something out of my ruminations and attempted exhortations.

Politics, especially during the current state of things, can make things depressing and angering. Sometimes a person just wants to yell that we need to focus on fun, happiness, kindness, and positivity -- after which can lead to slight guilt because all these depressing issues and conflicts matter and remain. People and policy hurt others, especially in these times of increasing illiberalism (even as I hold out hope for coming together to make better times during the 2020 Elections).

The one and likely only episode of Uncanny TV contributes to a solution for this cycle of seeking positivity but feeling guilt at avoiding negativity in the world: culture that looks to affect positive change and fight the negative factors in the world. Recording for Uncanny TV occurred the afternoon of Saturday, May 4, 2019 in front of a live studio audience, in which I got to join. The crew and cast then sent the recording to the editing team, with a rough estimated release date of sometime in the summer.

Uncanny TV started as an idea of personal chemistry between Michi Trota and Matt Peters that then became a stretch goal for Uncanny Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy for the November 2018 to October 2019 publishing year.

Ideally Uncanny Magazine would have raised enough money for Uncanny TV to record a whole six episode run, but they only raised enough to record the pilot. Only having the funds to record a pilot didn't stop Trota and Peters from recording an episode that supports the mission of Uncanny Magazine featuring a passionate and provocative investment into science fiction, fantasy, and geek/nerd culture that leaves room to feel.

Trota and Peters set up the production as something of a talk show with emphasis focusing on their three Chicago-centric nerd activist and/or entrepreneurial guests:

• Daniel Jun Kim: Creative Content Manager, Editor, Writer, Geek/Nerd, Justice Activist with aspirations of becoming a real life Cleric in the vein of fantasy adventuring healer and moral support (which sounds much less fantastical in a world with projections of civilization ending and the world becoming post apocalyptic in our lifetimes if we don't start doing something about it soon)
  
  
• Keisha Howard: Formerly focused on Marketing & Sales for employers turned Technology Advocate, Geek Culture Personality, Futurist, Entrepreneur, and in all those capacities, creating inclusive spaces and relationships for the realms of gaming, geek, and tech through Sugar Gamers
  
  
• Dawn Xiana Moon - Always a geek and musician (sometimes even singing about nerdy stuff) who grew into tech and belly dancing, including running a troupe that combines belly dancing, fire dancing, and cosplay called Raks Geek

If you clicked on the links of all the people in front of the camera, you may have noticed that all of them, from hosts to guests, are people of color. Similar to how Jim Hines says in his Uncanny Magazine essay, "The Politics of Comfort" that all fiction says something political, even when it seems like the author wrote the fiction for hegemonic comforting consumption, peoples' everyday lives, vocations, and avocations can become political.

Just caring for others and being kind is political activity. Just sharing and reflecting back at people the same inherent characteristics while leveling up on accomplishments is political activity. Just making money by entertaining fellow nerds and geeks then sending that money to worthwhile causes is political activity (OK, this last one has more obvious political connotations, but sourcing that money through a combination of creative expression and nerdiness can make a political act more fun than just straight up protesting, rallying, attending meetings, letter writing, petition signing, voting, or anything else that you normally might think as political).

In sum, Uncanny TV did a great job showcasing these three outstanding and interesting nerdy entrepreneurial activists. Trota and Peters brought together three Chicago-based personalities that demonstrate that politics and activism doesn't always need to gravitate around anger, frustration, and depression. We can use culture and creative expression to communicate political messages and support political activity while also entertaining, uplifting, and gathering together others.

Unfortunately, the finalized version won't become available to the public for a few months now. Keep your eyes out for this bright spot in these contentious, partisan, and siloed times. The pilot episode of Uncanny TV might not change the world overnight, but it provides proof that people out there aim to not just fight back the darkness, but to bring light and hope to the country and the world. You might find yourself entertained and chuckling here and there. Heck, maybe you'll even find yourself inspired enough to share some kind, positive, and eye-opening entertainment and inspiring work to share. We can't just fight anger with anger, or we'll just contribute to making a self destructive cycle that will someday kill us all.

Go out there and create! But make sure to make some time to watch Uncanny TV, too.

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