In this national pledge special, Kurt Andersen talks with the writer Sapphire about her novel The Kid. The comedian Patton Oswalt breaks down the universe to its three essential parts: zombies, spaceships, and wastelands. And our American Icons series continues with a ride on the country's favorite motorcycle: the Harley-Davidson.

The comedian Patton Oswalt reads the title essay from his new memoir: Zombie, Spaceship, Wasteland. As Oswalt sees it, we all fall into one of these three science fiction fantasy archetypes. Take our survey and let us know which group you're a member of!