Listen to the full podcast here: https://bit.ly/SKMPBAUGH

In this deep dive, I sit down with Nathan Baugh to explore how science fiction isn't just entertainment, it's a philosophical warning system for humanity. We tackle the unsettling reality that predicting human reaction to new tech, like the isolation and loss of agency seen in The Machine Stops, is often the most critical task for any writer. We debate the chilling necessity of a "Fourth Law" for AI, a rule that protects the individual from the tyranny of the collective "greater good". We also break down the mastery of world-building, from Tolkien's need for a "consistent inner reality" to the cyclical swing between magical and technological eras that forms the core of Nathan's own upcoming novel.

Follow Nathan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbaugh27

X: https://x.com/nathanbaugh27

Substack: https://nathanbaugh.substack.com

00:00 Introduction

00:29 Science Fiction as a Mirror to Society

02:56 World Building in Literature

08:37 The Impact of Technology on Society

12:22 The Role of Imagination in Shaping Reality

16:56 Ethics and AI: A Modern Dilemma

37:26 The Impact of Energy on AI and Society

40:37 The Future of Currency: Bitcoin vs. Traditional Money

42:51 NFTs and the Art Market

49:03 Speculations on Satoshi Nakamoto's Identity

52:51 Book Recommendations and Literary Discussions

56:47 Writing and Publishing a Sci-Fi Fantasy Novel

01:01:46 Conclusion

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