As the year winds down, the period between Christmas and New Year often feels… different. Time seems to stretch and compress strangely, and many spend those days in a haze of relaxation. If you’re looking for ways to fill the quiet hours, the staff of New Scientist have compiled a list of exceptional cultural works. This eclectic mix of books, films, games, and more, all celebrate science, technology, the environment, and other topics found within the magazine’s pages.
Video Games: Outer Wilds – A Triumph of Narrative Design
Released in 2019, Outer Wilds stands out as a rare success in video game storytelling. Unlike many games with linear plots and scripted cutscenes, it experiments with narrative, dropping players into a solar system moments from destruction, caught in a 22-minute time loop. Players must piece together the story through exploration, ancient ruins, and astrophysical anomalies.
The game excels in its accurate simulation of physics, including light bending around black holes, and its exploration of quantum entanglement and entropy. The Echoes of the Eye expansion adds a horror-tinged layer while maintaining the core design ethos. Outer Wilds isn’t just a good story; it’s a story only video games could tell.
Literature: Einstein’s Dreams – A Thoughtful Exploration of Relativity
Alan Lightman’s Einstein’s Dreams explores what Albert Einstein might have envisioned while developing his theory of relativity in 1905. Each chapter imagines a world where time behaves differently, and the book delves into the emotional, rather than purely scientific, ramifications of these scenarios. It’s a short but lingering read that blends science with profound human emotion.
Documentary: Blue Planet II – A Stunning Dive into Marine Life
Blue Planet II, narrated by David Attenborough, provides an unparalleled look at the ocean’s depths. Filmed over four years in 39 countries, the series captures unique animal behaviors, including toddler-sized fish seizing birds mid-air and groupers cooperating with octopuses. The deep-sea episode reveals otherworldly ecosystems with centuries-old sharks and sponges that live for millennia. It’s a reminder of the fragility and wonder of our planet.
Film: The Creator – A Sci-Fi Epic with a Fresh Perspective
The Creator stands out as a compelling sci-fi film that flips the script by portraying AI-human hybrids as the protagonists. Its visual effects, particularly the colossal spaceship USS Nomad, are stunning. Directed by Gareth Edwards (known for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ), the film shares similar strengths in pacing and spectacle, making it a worthwhile double feature for the holidays.
Games: Dobble – A Surprisingly Complex Card Game
Dobble is deceptively simple: 55 cards, each with eight symbols, where any two cards share only one matching symbol. The challenge lies in spotting that match quickly. The game’s design, based on a finite projective plane, ensures every card pairs perfectly, making it a cognitively stimulating exercise in pattern recognition and reaction time. It’s a family favorite that’s as mentally engaging as it is competitive.
Literature: Ancillary Justice – A Bold Reset for Science Fiction
Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice redefined modern science fiction upon its release in 2012. The story follows a protagonist who was once the AI consciousness of a massive spaceship, now inhabiting a single human body. Driven by revenge, the character navigates galactic politics and brutal alien encounters. The sequel, Translation State, returns to the same universe with renewed strength.
Documentary: Nostalgia for the Light – Connecting Past and Present
Patricio Guzmán’s Nostalgia for the Light artfully juxtaposes astronomers searching for the universe’s origins with Chilean women seeking the remains of their disappeared loved ones. Both efforts, though seemingly disparate, underscore the importance of preserving the past. As the film poignantly states, “Those who have a memory are able to live in the fragile present moments. Those who have none don’t live anywhere.”
Music: Salvation – The Raw Power of Post-Metal
Cult of Luna’s 2004 album Salvation delivers the intensity of post-metal, blending loud, grating sounds with rich sonic textures. The album feels like a tech-driven quest, pushing every instrument to its limit. It’s a visceral experience that rewards repeated listening, especially for fans of the genre.
Literature: Mawson’s Will – A Brutal Antarctic Exploration
Lennard Bickel’s Mawson’s Will recounts Douglas Mawson’s harrowing 1910 Antarctic expedition. The book doesn’t shy away from the constant dangers faced by the team, including starvation, sickness, and extreme weather. The Far Eastern Party’s story, where one man fell into a crevasse, leaving the survivors battling the elements, is riveting and unforgiving.
Video Games: Caesar 3, Pharaoh, and Zeus – Nostalgia and Historical Insight
The trio of computer games released between 1998 and 2000—Caesar 3, Pharaoh, and Zeus: Master of Olympus —provided countless hours of city-building fun. Players could construct ancient civilizations, manage resources, and engage in military campaigns. These games sparked a lasting interest in ancient history, politics, and mythology for many players.
TV: Halt and Catch Fire – The Untold Story of Tech’s Early Days
Halt and Catch Fire is a criminally underwatched show that captures the drama of the early tech industry in the 1980s. The series explores the ambition, sacrifices, and creative passion of pioneers who shaped the future. The performances by Lee Pace and Mackenzie Davis are exceptional, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in the human side of technological innovation.
Podcast: If Books Could Kill – Brutally Honest Book Reviews
If Books Could Kill offers a hilariously blunt critique of popular non-fiction. Hosts Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri dissect flawed arguments, weak research, and outright nonsense found in self-help, history, and science books. The podcast’s targets include well-known authors like Steven Pinker and Malcolm Gladwell, exposing the often shaky foundations of their claims.
Film: Babe: Pig in the City – A Surprisingly Moral Tale
Babe: Pig in the City, though initially met with mixed reactions, offers a surprisingly optimistic vision of coexistence. The film depicts an animal hotel where species are segregated, but Babe’s kindness dismantles the hierarchy, creating a “compost society” where all creatures are valued. It’s a subtle but powerful message about interspecies equality.
The holiday season is a time for relaxation, but also for engagement. These books, films, games, and TV shows offer a blend of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. Whether you’re seeking adventure, reflection, or simply a distraction from the end-of-year chaos, there’s something on this list to capture your attention.
