Ep. 86: Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with Ken Liu (Writing Masterclass)
Jan 9, 2024
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Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with award-winning author Ken Liu. Ken decodes the intricacies of technology fiction, including what tech-fi means, the uses of technology in fantasy, personifying technology, imagining positive impacts of future tech, A.I. and fear mongering, and more.
Technology fiction explores how humans express themselves through technology and may be a more accurate genre term.
AI can be embraced as a tool that augments creativity and enables creators to delve into uncharted territories of storytelling and artistic expression.
By understanding technology as an active participant in shaping human nature and society, authors can explore its impacts on social constructs, values, and human creativity.
Deep dives
Science and technology are different but interconnected disciplines
Science and technology have distinct definitions and purposes. Science is a way of knowing and understanding the universe, while technology is a practice or a tool. Technology doesn't necessarily rely on science and can even be based on pseudoscience. What matters most is whether technology works. Engineers have a different way of thinking compared to scientists. While science fiction is often referred to as such, a significant portion of it is better classified as technology fiction. Technology fiction explores how humans express themselves, develop, and tell their own stories through the medium of technology. Tech-fi may be a more accurate genre term for this focus on technology's relationship with humanity.
AI as a tool for creativity and artistic expression
AI, or artificial intelligence, can be seen as a tool for artists to enhance their craft. By using AI as a tool, artists can save time, create high-quality animations, generate prototypes, produce studies, and explore new forms of art. AI can offer new perspectives and possibilities, allowing artists to reimagine what is considered human craft. Rather than fearing AI, authors and creators can embrace it as a tool that augments their creativity and enables them to delve into uncharted territories of storytelling and artistic expression.
Interactive storytelling with AI-generated characters
As AI develops, authors can authorize AI to generate expansions or customizations of their works, such as AI-generated conversations with minor characters. This can provide readers with interactive storytelling experiences and extend the artistry of the author's original work. Authors can determine the guidelines for AI-generated content, leading to new forms of storytelling and revenue streams. By viewing AI as an authoring tool and collaborator, rather than a threat, authors can harness its potential to enhance their narratives and create unique storytelling experiences.
Reevaluating the role of technology in society
Authors should approach technology as a means of storytelling and expression of values. Technology is not a passive element in our lives but an expression and externalization of human minds. It shapes societies, institutions, and individuals. By understanding technology as an active participant in shaping human nature and society, authors can explore its impacts on social constructs, values, and human creativity. The evolving landscape of technology provides opportunities for authors to depict the transformative power of technology on individuals and societies, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.
A hopeful perspective on AI and the future of creativity
Despite concerns about AI, its potential to replace human creativity, and ethical considerations, authors can adopt a more hopeful and inclusive outlook. Like the camera, which revolutionized art and storytelling, AI offers new possibilities for artists to innovate, experiment, and evolve their craft. Embracing AI as a tool for artistic expression can lead to the emergence of novel art forms and narratives that may not have been conceivable before. The synergy between human ingenuity and AI opens doors to unexplored realms of creativity and challenges artists to redefine what is considered valuable in art.
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with award-winning author Ken Liu. During the episode, Ken decodes the intricacies of technology fiction, including what tech-fi means, the uses of technology in fantasy, how technology and stories shape us and expresses our values, personifying technology, new technologies, A.I. and fear mongering, imagining positive impacts of future tech and more.
NOTE: This is part two of a two-part chat with Ken. Click here to check out part one.
Ken Liu is the award-winning, bestselling author of The Dandelion Dynasty epic fantasy quartet, along with the short story collections The Paper Menagerie & Other Stories and The Hidden Girl & Other Stories. His latest novel is Speaking Bones, the final book in The Dandelion Dynasty.
