Neal Stephenson’s Questions: Can Science Fiction Help Solve Our Big Problems?

MC: Well, you did a good job of asking questions, especially someone like Neal, who we all read books from when we were young. And as you said, His wisdom has entered into our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. It should be cool to ask someone who is like a worm inside your brain.

I AM: Oh, well, that’s another thing. I mean, yes. Not that I have read everything … People ask me if I like this book or I think this book is good. And the only thing I can answer is, “I can’t answer that,” because there’s no … What am I going to do? Not reading it? I have read every one of his books since 1992. I still remember the time when, the book I showed him in the questions I looked at on camera was a copy I bought, because I was cutting my summer work. go to the bookstore and pick up the item. I was like, “What is this?” And you are reading. The first 30, 40 pages a Snow damage and some of the best… It is one of the best in the history of science fiction.

It’s like, “What the hell is this?” And I’ve read since then. It’s like when people ask me if I think of a new era of Dr. Who was it good or not? Well, do it … there is no answer. I’m not going to see that. So it doesn’t really matter. I don’t know if it will be for you, but it’s for me.

And instead, Neal was one of the science fiction writers I interviewed when I first became a journalist. I was talking to science fiction writers about the kind of cruelty that was being built in the 90s. He was one of the first people I ever enjoyed calling. So it was like, God, I was about to say that if a book ended my career. I hope that’s not right.

MC: Well, we hope you’ll be there for a while.

LG: No. I feel like what you described is the purpose of this podcast, which people are saying, “Well, what can I do?” Now listen to that.

I AM: Yeah, how can it work?

LG: By Neal Stephenson and Adam Rogers and Michael Calore, and the man Lauren. We need to listen.

I AM: I don’t see people thinking how they would feel about this. No.

MC: All right. Well, we have to listen to that. Then take a break. And when we come back from vacation time, we will hear Adam talking to author Neal Stephenson on RE: WIRED earlier this month.

[Break]

I AM: Hello, welcome to another section on RE: WIRED. I am Adam Rogers, a major journalist in publishing, magazine and website. And I am thrilled to receive one of my favorite writers, Neal Stephenson. Thanks for being with us, Neal, thank you so much.