S5E4: 2024 in Review: Books, Films and Pop Culture to Help Us Make Sense of the Unexpected

This book, written by David George Plotkin under the alias 'David George Kin,' is an exposé that targets U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler. Published in 1946, it led to significant controversy, including an investigation by the FBI and the House Un-American Activities Committee. The book delves into the political and social forces surrounding Wheeler's career and activities during that period.

Burn In, co-authored by P.W. Singer and August Cole, is a near-future thriller that explores the societal and security implications of advanced artificial intelligence. The story follows an FBI agent and her robot partner as they investigate a growing threat linked to widespread job displacement caused by AI. The novel delves into the complexities of human-machine interaction, the potential for social unrest, and the challenges of maintaining national security in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It offers a compelling narrative while highlighting real-world concerns about AI's impact on society and the workforce. The book serves as a cautionary tale and a thought-provoking exploration of the future.

In this 2015 techno-thriller, P.W. Singer and August Cole explore a future war scenario where a post-communist China, aided by Russia, attacks the United States in the Pacific, leading to the occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. The novel highlights the reactivation of the US Navy's antiquated 'Ghost Fleet' and the rise of an insurgency by US military personnel and civilians against the Chinese occupiers. The story incorporates various advanced technologies such as electromagnetic railguns, swarm UAVs, and space-based weaponry, and includes over 400 endnotes to support its technological and geopolitical themes.