Exploring the Origins of Crime-Fighting and Unintended Consequences of Innovation

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The chapter discusses the author's latest book, 'The Infernal Machine', tracing the history of crime in New York during the early 20th century through the lens of forensics and fingerprint technology, revealing bomb campaigns by anarchists and the evolution of the modern detective. It also delves into the unintended consequences of Alfred Nobel's creation of dynamite, fueling political violence and terrorism, as well as the contributions of Peter Kropotkin to the anarchist movement and philosophy.

Steven Johnson returns! He's with us today to talk about his new book, "The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective," and his new day job helping Google develop AI tools for writers.

🔊 You can listen to Steven's previous appearances on this show here, here, here and here

🎧 To purchase a copy of Steven's Next Big Idea Original audiobook, "Immortality: A User's Guide," head here: https://nextbigideaclub.supportingcast.fm/immortality-a-users-guide

📩 Be sure to check out his Substack, too: https://adjacentpossible.substack.com/

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