#240 – Neal Stephenson: Sci-Fi, Space, Aliens, AI, VR & the Future of Humanity

About this episode

<p>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:<br /> &#8211; <b>Mizzen+Main</b>: <a href="https://mizzenandmain.com">https://mizzenandmain.com</a> and use code LEX to get $35 off<br /> &#8211; <b>InsideTracker</b>: <a href="https://insidetracker.com/lex">https://insidetracker.com/lex</a> and use code Lex25 to get 25% off<br /> &#8211; <b>Athletic Greens</b>: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/lex">https://athleticgreens.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil<br /> &#8211; <b>Grammarly</b>: <a href="https://grammarly.com/lex">https://grammarly.com/lex</a> to get 20% off premium<br /> &#8211; <b>ExpressVPN</b>: <a href="https://expressvpn.com/lexpod">https://expressvpn.com/lexpod</a> and use code LexPod to get 3 months free</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Neal&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/nealstephenson">https://twitter.com/nealstephenson</a><br /> Neal&#8217;s Website: <a href="https://www.nealstephenson.com/">https://www.nealstephenson.com/</a><br /> Termination Shock (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3HhmDKi">https://amzn.to/3HhmDKi</a><br /> Snow Crash (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3H7yFFW">https://amzn.to/3H7yFFW</a><br /> Cryptonomicon (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3C01HDF">https://amzn.to/3C01HDF</a><br /> The Diamond Age (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3wxUF83">https://amzn.to/3wxUF83</a><br /> Seveneves (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3kkhveg">https://amzn.to/3kkhveg</a><br /> The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1 (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3koMW7n">https://amzn.to/3koMW7n</a><br /> Innovation Starvation (article): <a href="https://bit.ly/3mYLSJ2">https://bit.ly/3mYLSJ2</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (08:34) &#8211; WWII and human nature<br /> (17:20) &#8211; Search engine morality<br /> (21:58) &#8211; Space exploration<br /> (38:59) &#8211; Aliens and UFOs<br /> (47:21) &#8211; SpaceX and Blue Origin<br /> (54:43) &#8211; Social media<br /> (59:11) &#8211; Climate change<br /> (1:11:00) &#8211; Consequences of big ideas<br /> (1:15:42) &#8211; Virtual reality<br /> (1:38:50) &#8211; Artificial intelligence<br /> (1:53:49) &#8211; Cryptocurrency<br /> (2:06:26) &#8211; Writing, storytelling, and books<br /> (2:29:05) &#8211; Martial arts<br /> (2:38:23) &#8211; Final thoughts</p>