The Bunker – News without the nonsense Should politicians read more science fiction? – with SF author Adrian Tchaikovsky
Feb 13, 2025
Adrian Tchaikovsky, an acclaimed science fiction and fantasy author known for books like Children of Time, joins the conversation. He argues that politicians should engage more with science fiction to understand the societal implications of technology. The discussion critiques the motivations behind space exploration and warns against unexamined enthusiasm for AI in politics. Tchaikovsky also shares recommended reads for leaders, emphasizing how science fiction can illuminate the complexities of modern challenges and encourage empathetic solutions.
38:15
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Science Fiction's Modern Echo
04:08 • 5min
Mars: A Dream or a Dystopian Reality?
08:39 • 3min
Politics, AI, and the Lens of Science Fiction
11:29 • 18min
Exploring Alien Worlds and the Power of Science Fiction
29:53 • 2min
Navigating Love in the Age of Technology
32:04 • 2min
Asimov's Foundation
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Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov's Foundation series is a landmark achievement in science fiction, exploring the rise and fall of galactic empires through the lens of psychohistory.
The series follows Hari Seldon, a mathematician who develops a method to predict the future of civilizations.
Asimov's intricate world-building and complex characters create a compelling narrative that spans centuries.
The series explores themes of power, social change, and the limitations of prediction.
Foundation's enduring popularity stems from its exploration of human nature and the complexities of societal evolution.
iRobot
iRobot
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Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot" is a collection of short stories exploring the Three Laws of Robotics and their implications for human-robot interaction.
The stories delve into the complexities of artificial intelligence and the potential for robots to develop their own forms of consciousness.
Asimov's exploration of ethical dilemmas and the potential for unintended consequences remains relevant today.
The book's enduring popularity stems from its thought-provoking scenarios and its exploration of the relationship between humans and machines.
It's a classic work of science fiction that continues to inspire discussions about the future of AI.
Shroud
Shroud
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Bearhead
Bearhead
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Adrian Tchaikovsky
You Look Like a Thing and I Love You
Janelle Shane
Janelle Shane's "You Look Like a Thing and I Love You" offers a humorous yet insightful look into the world of AI. The book chronicles Shane's experiments with training neural networks, revealing both their surprising capabilities and their inherent limitations.
Through a series of entertaining anecdotes, Shane highlights the biases and unexpected behaviors that can emerge from AI systems.
The book serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on AI and the importance of understanding its limitations.
It's a must-read for anyone interested in the future of AI and its impact on society.
After atlas
Emma Newman
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts.
However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it.
The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events.
The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
Children of time
Henry Maxwell
Children of Time is a book by Henry Maxwell, published in 1967.
Due to limited information, specific details about the book's content or themes are not available.
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Sir Michael Howard
Red Mars
Kim Stanley Robinson
Manuel Figueroa
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
The Dogs of War
The Dogs of War
Anne Nivat
Neuromancer
William Gibson
Published in 1984, 'Neuromancer' is a seminal work in the cyberpunk genre.
The novel revolves around Case, a skilled hacker who was once the best in his field but was crippled by his former employer after he tried to steal from them.
Case is recruited by a mysterious employer named Armitage for a high-stakes mission that involves hacking into the highly secure systems of the Tessier-Ashpool family.
Joined by a diverse group of allies, including the cyborg Molly and the performance artist Peter Riviera, Case must navigate the complexities of cyberspace and the real world to merge two powerful artificial intelligences, Wintermute and Neuromancer.
The book explores themes of technology, identity, and the blurring of lines between the physical and virtual worlds.
Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
In 'Starship Troopers,' Robert A. Heinlein explores a future society where citizenship and the right to vote are earned through military service.
The story follows Juan 'Johnny' Rico as he joins the Terran Mobile Infantry and undergoes rigorous training and battles against an alien species known as the 'Bugs.
' The novel delves into themes of citizenship, duty, and the philosophy of war, while also critiquing societal values and the implications of militarism.
Through Rico's journey, Heinlein examines the psychological and moral aspects of war, the importance of discipline and sacrifice, and the complex relationships between comrades in a military context.
The Windup Girl
Paolo Bacigalupi
In this novel, Paolo Bacigalupi explores a grim future where genetically engineered crops and bio-engineered plagues have ravaged the world.
The story centers around Anderson Lake, a 'Calorie Man' for AgriGen, and Emiko, the Windup Girl, an engineered being abandoned in Bangkok.
The novel delves into themes of corporate greed, environmental disaster, and the struggle for survival in a world dominated by calorie companies and genetic manipulation.
The setting is a dystopian Thailand, where tensions between different factions and the impact of bio-terrorism shape the lives of the characters.
Seveneves
Neal Stephenson
Seveneves tells the story of an apocalyptic event where the Moon suddenly breaks apart without warning, leading to a catastrophic 'Hard Rain' of moon fragments that will render Earth uninhabitable for thousands of years.
The novel follows the global efforts to save humanity by evacuating people to a swarm of 'arklet' habitats in orbit.
The story is divided into three parts, covering the immediate aftermath, the long-term survival in space, and the eventual re-colonization of Earth five thousand years later.
The book delves into themes of science, technology, genetics, and the long-term implications of human survival and societal rebuilding.
The Ministry for the Future
Kim Stanley Robinson
The Ministry for the Future is a novel by Kim Stanley Robinson that delves into the urgent issue of climate change.
Set in the near future, the story follows the establishment of a UN agency, the Ministry for the Future, whose mission is to advocate for the rights of future generations.
The novel is told through multiple perspectives, including those of Mary Murphy, the head of the Ministry, and Frank May, an American aid worker who survives a devastating heat wave in India.
The book explores various innovative solutions to climate change, such as the introduction of a new currency called 'carboni' to incentivize decarbonization, and it presents a hopeful yet realistic vision of how humanity might cooperate to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The narrative includes a mix of fictional eyewitness accounts, non-fiction descriptions, and diverse writing styles, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the climate crisis.
The Three-Body Problem
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Cixin Liu
Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling.
The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity.
Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition.
The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life.
It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.
In a world where politicians and oligarchs make wild plans, we often hear the cry “They’re reading too much science fiction.” But instead, should our leaders read MORE about alternate futures and the unforeseen consequences of technology? Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky – of Children of Time and Dogs of War fame – tells Andrew Harrison why science fiction’s job is more complex than just predicting the future… how it can explain egotists like Musk… and the science fiction he thinks Starmer should read.
• Adrian Tchaikovsky’s new book Shroud is available for pre-order.
Adrian’s choices for Keir Starmer:
• After Atlas by Emma Newman
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
• Ministry For The Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.
Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production
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