BiblioFiles: A CenterForLit Podcast about Great Books, Great Ideas, and the Great Conversation

Here it is, Bradbury’s masterpiece! The Center For Lit crew is blown away by the novel’s eerie predictions of current technologies, its stern diagnosis of today’s cultural tendencies, and finally by the sheer beauty of the thing. Fahrenheit 451 emerges as far more than a defense of books; it’s an apology for humane culture that actually strikes a hopeful note. Believe it or not, we come away encouraged that all is not lost.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit centerforlit.substack.com/subscribe

Well, we didn’t see that coming! In this episode, the crew discusses a lesser known story by the author of Fahrenheit 451, and we end up surprised by where it takes us. Bradbury’s presentation of a post-apocalyptic world decimated by nuclear war delivers an expected elegy for lost civilization, but stops short of condemning technology in the process. In fact, AI’s role in the story invites us to a conversation about the beauty and necessity of art.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit centerforlit.substack.com/subscribe

The Center For Lit crew returns with a brand new season where we tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: artificial intelligence. We quickly discover that the issue is not particularly new; thinkers and writers have been mulling it over for years, and we’ve got some great stories to show for their efforts.
In this episode, we discuss Isaac Asimov’s classic meditation on artificial intelligence and identify the basic questions that will guide us throughout the season. Hold on tight, it’s going to be a great ride!
Become a paid subscriber to access bonus episodes for this season, including discussions of Ready Player One, Prey, and Klara and the Sun!



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit centerforlit.substack.com/subscribe

You’ve heard of Rodgers and Hammerstein. You’ve heard of Bernstein and Sondheim. But have you heard of Forrester and Andrews?!
In this episode the CenterForLit crew is joined by Adam’s good friend Scott Forrester to talk about Missy’s favorite stage play: Creator.
Creator is one of many musicals on which Adam and Scott have collaborated since their heyday in the theater department at Hillsdale College. It is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein that explores what might have happened if Victor Frankenstein had given in to the Creature’s request for a bride.
Adam and Scott discuss the joys of artistic collaboration in a way that may inspire your young artists to enjoy their own dramaturgical interests no matter how large their audience!
Be sure to stay tuned until the end to listen to one of the musical numbers from Creator: “There’s a Charm on the Woods.”

CenterForLit’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit centerforlit.substack.com/subscribe

CenterForLit Director Adam Andrews explains what you can expect from the CenterForLit Podcast Network going forward.
In summary:
* The BiblioFiles archives and previous How to Eat an Elephant seasons will be available to paid Substack subscribers.
* Our free podcast will feature a slight change of format, focusing on roundtable discussions with the CenterForLit crew on wide ranging topics of literary relevance.
* Paid subscribers will have full access to all future topical seasons - including our upcoming season on AI.
* A huge thank you to everyone who has faithfully listened to and supported our shows over the last decade. We are so grateful to you for making our conversations possible!

CenterForLit’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit centerforlit.substack.com/subscribe