Neal Stephenson: Sci-Fi, Space, Aliens, AI, VR & the Future of Humanity | Lex Fridman Podcast #240

Neal Stephenson is a sci-fi writer (Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, and new book Termination Shock), former Chief Futurist at Magic Leap and first employee of Blue Origin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Neal's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nealstephenson
Neal's Website: https://www.nealstephenson.com/
Termination Shock (book): https://amzn.to/3HhmDKi
Snow Crash (book): https://amzn.to/3H7yFFW
Cryptonomicon (book): https://amzn.to/3C01HDF
The Diamond Age (book): https://amzn.to/3wxUF83
Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/3kkhveg
The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1 (book): https://amzn.to/3koMW7n
Innovation Starvation (article): https://bit.ly/3mYLSJ2

PODCAST INFO:
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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
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Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
0:43 - WWII and human nature
9:28 - Search engine morality
14:06 - Space exploration
31:07 - Aliens and UFOs
39:30 - SpaceX and Blue Origin
46:52 - Social media
51:19 - Climate change
1:03:09 - Consequences of big ideas
1:07:50 - Virtual reality
1:30:58 - Artificial intelligence
1:45:57 - Cryptocurrency
1:58:35 - Writing, storytelling, and books
2:21:13 - Martial arts
2:30:31 - Final thoughts

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