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

Lex FridmanThu, November 11, 2021 5:32pmURL:
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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:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
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