Written and Watched

Magician and writer Eoin Smith joins us for a rich, thoughtful discussion on The Prestige — comparing the novel and Nolan’s adaptation through the lens of someone who actually lives in the world of illusion. We unpack: • Why the film’s “simplification” actually strengthens the story • How real magicians approach method, secrecy, and deception • Victorian magic rivalries and their modern equivalents • The ethics of obsession and the sacrifices performers make • The film’s cinematic craft, performances, and core twist • Hidden details you may have missed • The evolution from stage magic to street magic in the 2000s • Why rewatching The Prestige only deepens its impact It’s a conversation about craft, creativity, and the magic still hiding in our day-to-day world. Follow Eoin on Instagram: @eoinlistens

In this episode, we sit down with Scottish magician and author Eoin to unravel the mysteries of The Prestige — the Christopher Priest novel that inspired Christopher Nolan’s film. We break down the book’s layered structure, shifting genres, and intricate character psychology while weaving in real-world magic history, backstage knowledge, and the ethics of illusion. From Victorian séances to modern trick-exposure culture, from Houdini to Tesla, from epistolary storytelling to the Ship of Theseus — this conversation asks what magic really is and what it takes from those who practice it. Perfect for fans of the book, the movie, stage magic, or literary deep dives. Follow Eoin on Instagram at @eoinlistens and check out his published fiction on Goodreads.

We wrap our Andromeda Strain two-parter with the 1971 film. From Robert Wise’s old-Hollywood gravitas to the split-screen tension and tactile lab tech, we dig into why the movie often outpaces the novel. We also touch on BookTok’s retail revival, tech-bro nutrition, modern conspiracy ecosystems, microbiomes/decontamination logic, and the film’s still-spiky ending. Verdict: if you’re on the fence, watch the movie .

In this episode of Written & Watched , we crack open Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and map where it sits on the spectrum from hard science fiction to speculative thriller. We unpack the Wildfire complex and its “odd-man” nuclear failsafe; nitpick biology (pH myths, the limits of personality indices, extremophiles); and explore the bigger questions the book tees up—What counts as life? When does sentience start? Why might climate realism and “solarpunk” solutions beat a Mars escape plan? Laughing Briar has books here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/ We also dive into AI’s “Chinese Room,” the film Her , the microbiome (yes, fecal transplants), endosymbiosis (mitochondria!), and why fungi (hello, cordyceps) might be the real doomsday villain. Plus: a character spotlight on the book’s most memorable survivor, a boozy storyteller named Peter Jackson, and a frank look at the novel’s self-solving ending. Next up: the 1971 Andromeda Strain film—watch along and join us.

We watched Annihilation! We have thoughts on this Alex Garland interpretation of the text. https://upnerd.captivate.fm/ https://www.youtube.com/@UpNerdPodcastNetwork

We read Annihilation! We have thoughts on this creepy strange, polarizing text! https://upnerd.captivate.fm/ https://www.youtube.com/@UpNerdPodcastNetwork

We watched World War Z, and talked about zombies, warfare, and the heinous movie that this is! SS Fitzgerald: https://www.ssfitzgerald.net/

We read WWZ, and talked about zombies, warfare, and the epistolary text! SS Fitzgerald: https://www.ssfitzgerald.net/ AMA covid MARCH 9th 2020 with Max Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fhj24f/i_am_max_brooks_author_of_world_war_z_and_i_am/ Guardian article on preppers: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff

Wow is this movie bad. We watched "When Nietzsche Wept" and gave it some credit, ok, no credit. Which it deserves. (minor audio issue at start, crackles go away)

Anthony and I read "when Nietzsche wept" Any interest in philosophy? Historical fiction? Lou Salome with a riding crop? (thought that one would get ya!!)

We watched "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say. More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/ Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar

We read "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say. More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/ Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar

Noah and I watched "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and, well, we have some thoughts... More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay

Noah and I talk about the book "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky. More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay