THE TUNNEL UNDER THE WORLD

Episode #466 · Written by Frederik Pohl · Narrated by Scott Miller

Guy Burckhardt wakes from a violent dream of fire and destruction, only to find himself in a calm, orderly world that feels subtly wrong. His town looks familiar, yet brands have changed, routines repeat with uncanny precision, and June 15th refuses to move forward. Small disturbances accumulate, creating a growing sense that reality itself may be carefully staged.

As Burckhardt begins to investigate, he uncovers disturbing inconsistencies beneath the surface of daily life. Hidden tunnels, artificial structures, and people who seem to change roles reveal a deeper pattern of control. The story tightens its grip as Burckhardt learns that Tylerton may not be a town at all, but a carefully engineered environment designed to test human behavior.

The deeper Burckhardt goes, the more personal the mystery becomes. Questions of identity, free will, and manipulation dominate his search for truth. The tension escalates as he realizes that even his memories and sense of self may be part of the experiment, and that escape could come at an unimaginable cost.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frederik Pohl was a towering figure in science fiction, known for blending provocative ideas with accessible storytelling. His fiction consistently explored the dangers of unchecked corporate power, mass persuasion, and technological overreach. Long before targeted advertising and data manipulation became everyday realities, Pohl was already asking who controls the messages shaping our choices.

As both an author and editor, Pohl helped define modern science fiction while challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society. The Tunnel Under the World remains one of his most influential works, a story that feels as urgent now as when it was first published, and a reminder of how fragile reality can be when profit and power take precedence.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl — a vintage science fiction short story questioning free will and manufactured reality.

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