

AGI, Sci-Fi, and Storytelling | Neal Stephenson, Ken Liu, & more
Sci-fi Captures Future Mythology
- Science fiction authors usually get the future's details wrong but capture its underlying mythology.
- Mythology helps describe foundational aspects of human nature through technology stories.
Immerse Yourself in Future Worlds
- To evaluate opportunities, practice immersive world building by living in imagined futures.
- Seek alignment with entrepreneurs' visions to make better investment choices.
World Building for Investment
- World building is essential for evaluating investable opportunities.
- Visualize future worlds vividly to decide if they feel right to invest in or build.





































What unfolds when those who imagine the future sit across from those building it?
In this special SPC panel, worlds converge. Sci-fi legends Neal Stephenson and Ken Liu join visionary investor Cyan Banister and researcher Joscha Bach to explore how narratives shape reality, how fiction becomes a roadmap, and how builders and dreamers influence each other across time.
Connect with us here:
1. Neal Stephenson- https://x.com/nealstephenson
2. Ken Liu- https://x.com/kyliu99
3. Cyan Banister- https://x.com/cyantist
4. Joscha Bach- https://x.com/Plinz
5. Cristian Cibils Bernardes- https://x.com/life_of_ccb
6. Jonathan Brebner- https://x.com/JPBrebner
7. South Park Commons- https://x.com/southpkcommons
00:00 Trailer
01:03 Introduction
04:25 AI and nuclear tech parallel
10:26 Progress. Disappointing? Significant?
13:31 The present and the future
17:04 Wrong specifics, right methodology
25:13 Satire and reality
33:14 World building
40:19 Parallels and perpendiculars
44:19 Artificial general intelligence
54:02 Searching for something not forward-looking
57:20 Understanding consciousness
1:04:08 Lightning round
1:14:13 Outro