The future is miserable in the pages of post-apocalyptic fiction. The Dog Stars, author Peter Heller's scenario of what nightmares may come, is no exception. Heller's vision is utterly terrible; that grinding-monotony-of-loneliness-punctuated-with-violence kind of terrible.

For the third year in a row, author, journalist and LGBTQ+ activist Dan Savage brings his touring amateur art porn festival HUMP! Fest back to Albuquerque. Understandably for you vanillas out there, this might sound terrifying. Watching the most unusual, and honestly thought-provoking, pornography in a theater surrounded by strangers could be a nightmare. If you appreciate sex and quality cinema, we assure you that this is a really cool experience. Appreciatively, there is a disclaimer at the beginning of each showing explaining the rules. The rules are basically this: Don't make obnoxious comments and keep your hands to yourself. Pretty simple. As in years past, the festival is hosted at Guild Cinema and has brought short films that run the gamut of emotions. This juried collection of works run Thursday, Jan. 30 through Saturday, Feb. 1 with showings at 7pm and again at 9pm each night. Tickets are $18 and you must be over 18 to get your rocks off with strangers.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History unveils a new exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 1 and continues through April 26. Titled Design Zone, the new topical display features a somewhat ironic investigation into the processes that drive creation, especially in regard to video games, roller-coasters and EDM music. This exhibit was designed at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and it has a youthful, productive vibe to it. We get that. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists just announced that the hands on the doomsday clock were closer to midnight than ever. Even though nuclear power showed some promise in solving the world's energy needs, nuclear science still means the study of a type of war that would kill billions if put into action. Nuclear history equals the story of devising ever more efficient killing devices. It's wonderful to know citizens have a museum where they can learn all about that while also acquiring knowledge about the human creative urge. Admission to the museum, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm, ranges between $7 and $14. Go science!

Opera Southwest presents Daniel Catán's opera Il Postino at the National Hispanic Cultural Center starting on Sunday Feb. 2 at 2pm and continuing with two more performances on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30pm and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2pm. Catán was a Postmodern Mexican composer whose creations are lyrical and full of life, lushly romantic in their melodic interpretations of human emotions. This work, originally commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera, is one of his most eloquent and beautiful. Catán was influenced by everyone from Monteverdi to Berg and Korngold; some people compare this work to that of Puccini. Former NMSO Maestro Guillermo Figueroa conducts and Crystal Manich directs a cast that includes Cecilia Violetta Lopez as Beatrice, Alex Richardson as Mario and Raul Melo as the poet Pablo Neruda. Tickets range in price from $15 to $99, and kids are welcome if they can already sit attentively through a Saturday afternoon at the MET.