Advertise on podcast: The Anomalous Files: Stories from the World of Sci-Fi Ethics

Episode Notes The Final Choice is a short story featuring five strangers from Planet 56 escaping a meteor stricken space station and finding themselves selecting one to sacrifice. The strangers are aboard the Stardust with an EDS pilot leading them to the next safest planet inhabited by Colony 57. Doom strikes when the EDS pilot informs them that the ship does not have adequate fuel to safely carry everyone to Colony 57. One must be ejected. Twenty quick minutes tick by as they target, defend, and debate each other about who should be sacrificed for the lives of the others. This episode brings about the topic of placing value on each individual. Is one life more valuable than another because of their past mistakes? Does one's current responsibilities make them more or less valuable? Is there another way? Created by: Suri Thakore, Matthew Negron, Bevin Doyle, Amrith Annamreddy, Caroline Wolfe, and Ray Cai

Episode Notes Two interplanetary travel-agency environmentalists reach New Years Island and begin exploring its remnants. They encounter some native islanders and talk about the state the Great Joy Corporation left the ecosystem in. The natives also tell them about the “spirit of the island,” which was once a peaceful force that embodied all living ecosystems across the island. Now the islanders are left to suffer because of the Great Joy Corporation's wrongful actions. To develop this podcast we worked alongside Sound on Grounds to record our audio. The voice actors in this podcast include, Lily Harrell, Ella Saidi, Carston Turvey, Drew Nottingham, and Matthew Nguyen. Bibliography: Echovoid sounds. (2026). Footsteps Sound Effect 👣 | Realistic Walking SFX (No Music) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thDIojPp4zw Free Sound Effects. (2024). Surprised Horror - Free Sound Effects For Youtube Videos [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DatGnnYOHZ0 Mars cloud. (2021). Sweet Bird Sound - Morning Sound Effect Garden Bird [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhz6AI45IQw Mike Downes. (2019). Rustling Leaves and Snapping Sticks [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfCzUgEw3Aw Ryan Lloyd. (2012). Wind Sound FX [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqJ37MVf16Y Sound Effects. (2022). Sea Waves - Sound Effect [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3ZbsOhNTas Star Raccoon. (2017). Spaceship landing with SFX [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUDmOSVj0QE Xilith. (2018). Spaceship Takeoff Sound Effect - Royalty Free! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXYrHB86Kg0

Episode Notes A Prequel to Ted Chiang's "Exhalation," in which humanity is torn into living in two places: The Bunker, or the City of Argon as mechanical beings, effectively becoming immortal.

Episode Notes A prequel to War of the Worlds, 'The War Before,' explores the political tensions of Mars as dwindling resources force its leaders to confront the difficult decisions about the future and survival of the Martian race.

Episode Notes As the final project for Professor Hilker's EGMT 1540: Sci-Fi Ethics class, we created a fictional podcast. Inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's short story "Harrison Bergeron," this podcast is set in the year 2031 and explores themes of government power, collective punishment, and systemic control. Special thanks go to the Robertson Media Center and Michael Moxham for the editing of this podcast. Gaston: Jared Olster Hans: Ethan Derman President: Aarna Bhamidipati Chief of Staff: Sandra Zhang Senator: Anish Mummadi Head of FBI: Nandinbilig Tamir Art Citation: Image generated using ChatGPT (GPT-4o / DALL-E) by OpenAI, from the prompt "Create me a cover picture for our podcast called The Mediocrity Campaign. Include handicaps and two men, one smarter and one stronger", 10/07/2026, (https://chatgpt.com/) Audio Citations: - Intro Music Audio excerpt from 'grendy2.flac' courtesy of jmguru (https://freesound.org/people/jmguru/sounds/117723/) - Paper Effect from 'Rustling Paper SOUND Effect' courtesy of SOUND Effects Public Domain (No Copyrights) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-N_weqD8i8) - Fighting Effect from 'Fighting sound effects' courtesy of ChaosCore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZcC1oK291I) - Sirens Effect from 'Alarm Siren, Fast Oscillations' courtesy of Kinoton (https://freesound.org/people/Kinoton/sounds/420661/) - Running Effect from 'Soldiers Running Sound Effect' courtesy of Sound Effect Database (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHy3KE9jGbw) - Gunshot Effect from 'Homemade Gunshots 01' courtesy of MalikArsYasakani (https://freesound.org/people/MalikArsYasakani/sounds/833318/) - Alarm Effect from 'USA EAS Alarm Sound Effect' courtesy of Free Sound Effects (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpWM2v_8Q1o) - Walking Effect from 'footsteps on wood #1 floor sound effect (royalty free)' courtesy of NE sounds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkNZmy6uF8) - Door Effect from 'Door Open and Close - Sound Effect' courtesy of FeeSou (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ur01bT1778) - Chair Effect from 'Moving Chair Sound - Sound Effects' courtesy of SR BEST SOUND EFFECTS. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jftd7vwcE9Q) - Table Effect from 'punch a table - sound effect' courtesy of touch of sound (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmAu4Nm7uiE) - TV Effect from 'TV On and Off Effect (After Effects)' courtesy of N-Forced (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-nbvAnq65I) - News Station Effect from 'FREE NEWS INTRO - BROADCAST NEWS TEMPLATE' courtesy of Free Motion Graphics Background Animation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD_7AyYXrSY\&list=PLfmqLhN9GsBcv7VXxGyUAA927AnAOfbNc\&index=2) - Facility Door Effect from 'Heavy Metal Door Opening and Closing' courtesy of Royalty Free Sound FX (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c90uCjVbW_g) - Jail Cell Effect from 'Big heavy door open and close sound effect' courtesy of sound effects Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W0hFSTmViM) - Wearing Headphones Effect from 'Wear Headphone Sound Effects' courtesy of SOUND and IMAGE FX (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za1oHvunees) - Droning Effect from 'Drone Whine 01-MP3' courtesy of jdthorud (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZtOfq3ul-D8zKKl84Jw8nPCO6U4Af4Il) - Outro Music Audio excerpt from 'Cracked mirrors' courtesy of Victor_Natas (https://freesound.org/s/609393/)

Episode Notes Created by: Rutvi, Ela, Hampton, Elijah, Lawson, and Demir This episode of "The Anomalous Files" is a take on the dystopian short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Episode Notes This episode reimagines the 1938 "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast through an alternate perspective. As Martians invade Earth, this podcast follows a group of civilians aboard a flight into the heart of New York City. In the face of peril, the characters navigate conflict, interpersonal relationships, and ethical dilemmas. Written and voiced by Parker Walls, Richard Gao, Adelaide Caron, Taylor Purcell, and William Martin. Recorded and edited by Sara Bastianelli and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes The Answer is about 3 explorers who are sent on a quest to investigate a unknown world to find a solution on their world problem of running out of oxygen. They have to face the dilemma that there is no solution and are faced with the moral question of do they tell the citizens or not. Written and voiced by Chloe, Leah, Lillian, Judy, Ronin, and Ashvin. Recorded and edited by Dalanda Diallo and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes In this dystopian news-style episode, listeners are taken live to the Senate floor as lawmakers debate the controversial Purification Bill—a measure that would mandate the immediate euthanization of all “plasticized” people in the United States. With plasticized births rising to nearly forty percent, fear and political momentum fuel the Purified Movement’s push for eradication, while the Plastic People’s Movement fights back, arguing for human rights, responsibility, and accountability for the pollution that caused plasticization in the first place. Through tense testimonies, moral clashes, and a final decisive vote, the episode explores themes of scapegoating, environmental responsibility, ableism, and the dangers of extremism disguised as practicality. The bill ultimately passes, triggering nationwide unrest and the declaration of martial law. “Purification” leaves listeners questioning who society chooses to protect—and who it decides is disposable. Written and voiced by Sophia Dortch, Sam Rowanhill, Emma Holt, Rishabh Malkani, and Connor Anderson. Recorded and edited by Sara Bastianelli and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes This is the story of a society running out of time, and drastic measures are taken to preserve what little air is left. Lungs can be swapped out but minds cannot, raising the stakes even higher for all who must take the test. Written and voiced by Charlotte Gabriel, Michael Tardivo, Mariam Gabriel, Emily Acuto, Kai Stone, and Evan Yan. Recorded and edited by Dalanda Diallo and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes Written and voiced by Jude Sounder, John Aziz, Mae Bledsoe, Nicole Chen, and Xavier Torres-Seda. Recorded and edited by Dalanda Diallo and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes A modified and continued take on the story "Plasticized" by Kathryn E. Hill. We will dive into a world where people are slowly becoming more and more plastic, reflecting on one of humanity's many current environmental problems. Written and voiced by Akhila Addepalli, Sydney Williams, Mackenzie Mize, Sahil Sardar, Jerry Chen, and Julia Fried Recorded and edited by Sara Bastianelli and the Sound on Grounds Team.

Episode Notes On a walk back from the Corner on a Saturday night, four students uncover that strange things are happening on grounds due to the influence of a mysterious group who work behind the scenes and are manipulating students in ways that they are completely unaware of. Written and voiced by Scott Clark, Cooper Southworth, Angelina Ky, Samuel Lloyd, and Jace Oliver. Recorded and edited by Sara Bastianelli and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes The world is set a couple hundred years in the future from our current time and human civilization is facing major world hunger due to a mysterious blight that has swept through the world’s crops, killing most viable forms of food consumption. A group of scientists have discovered a way to create a daily pill that is able to provide both the necessary nutrients and calories to every single human, and must only be taken once a day. However, unbeknownst to the general population, these pills are made by absorbing the nutrients out of live humans, killing them. Our protagonist (Andrew) stumbles onto this and has to make a decision between shutting down this project due to the loss of life, or to keep the project going to support the future of human civilization. Written and voiced by Jakob Polsky, Andrew Kennedy, Enzo Alinsonorin, Megan Sartori, and Mariam Gouda. Recorded and edited by Sara Bastianelli and the Sound on Grounds team.

Episode Notes This is the story of how the strange accounts recorded in other episodes came to be. Written by Eric Hilker and Peter Miller. Voiced by Peter Miller, Eric Hilker, and M. Dalanda Diallo. Editing by Sara Bastianelli, and support from Sound on Grounds at the University of Virginia.