The Existential Hope Podcast Ken Liu on What AI Reveals About Humanity
Oct 13, 2025
Ken Liu, an award-winning science fiction author and former technologist, dives into his new novel, exploring the future of AI and identity. He introduces the concept of 'egolets,' AI entities that embody facets of our identities, and discusses the social dynamics of human-AI relationships. Ken highlights how technology reflects human nature and the importance of collective dreaming. He also delves into the implications of mind uploading, emphasizing the duality of hope and risk involved in AI's potential consciousness.
01:17:57
Consciousness Is Becoming Technologically Knowable
- Modern science is bringing us closer than ever to understanding consciousness and subjectivity.
- Ken Liu argues this makes the possibility of persisting patterns of being alive increasingly tangible.
The Novel Is A Very Near-Future Thriller
- All That We See or Seem is set five minutes in the future and uses existing technologies.
- Liu frames it as near-future techno-thriller rather than distant speculative fiction.
AI As A Camera For Thought
- Liu reframes modern AI as a
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Overview of All That We See or Seem
01:58 • 2min
Egolets: AIs as Portraits of Ourselves
04:22 • 4min
AI Can Empower Personal Expression
08:46 • 3min
Surprising Social Effects of AI Relationships
11:42 • 5min
Technology as the Mind Made Tangible
16:34 • 3min
Onerofax and Collective Dreaming
19:37 • 4min
Balancing Hope and Risk in AI
23:52 • 6min
Science Fiction as Modern Mythmaking
30:17 • 5min
What Makes a Resonant Sci‑Fi Myth
35:03 • 2min
Adapting Stories for Screen: Pantheon
37:25 • 2min
Why Mind Uploading Matters Now
39:12 • 4min
Utopian and Dystopian Readings of Uploading
42:44 • 4min
Continuity of Self and the Brain of Theseus
46:51 • 6min
Practical Challenges of Sustaining Uploaded Minds
52:25 • 3min
Uploading, Environment, and Extending Compassion
55:10 • 2min
Translating The Three-Body Problem
57:35 • 8min
Cultural Nuance in Attitudes Toward Technology
01:05:18 • 3min
How Ken Keeps Up: Reading and Conversations
01:07:48 • 2min
Advice for Aspiring Sci‑Fi Writers
01:09:38 • 2min
The Moral Role of Mythology in Sci‑Fi
01:11:36 • 3min
A Hopeful Vision: AI as a New Artistic Medium
01:15:06 • 2min
Outro
01:17:19 • 33sec
#1616
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K. Dick
Published in 1968, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
' is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco after a nuclear war.
The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with 'retiring' six escaped Nexus-6 androids.
The novel delves into profound philosophical questions about the nature of life, empathy, and what defines humanity.
It also introduces the concept of Mercerism, a religion that emphasizes empathy and compassion.
The book is known for its complex characters, including Deckard's moral dilemmas and the ambiguous line between human and android, which has been a significant influence on science fiction and popular culture, including the film 'Blade Runner'.
#130
• Mentioned in 118 episodes
The Three-Body Problem
None
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.
#159
• Mentioned in 105 episodes
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
#46
• Mentioned in 198 episodes
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.
#44
• Mentioned in 201 episodes
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy.
The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom.
The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State.
The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.
#26829
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Hidden Girl and Other Stories
Ken Liu
Ken Liu's "The Hidden Girl and Other Stories" is a collection of science fiction and fantasy tales that showcase Liu's remarkable storytelling abilities.
The stories explore diverse themes, including artificial intelligence, cultural identity, and the complexities of human relationships.
Liu's writing is characterized by its intellectual depth and emotional resonance, blending hard science fiction concepts with compelling narratives.
The collection includes stories that have been adapted into other media, such as the AMC+ series "Pantheon.
" Overall, "The Hidden Girl and Other Stories" is a must-read for fans of imaginative and thought-provoking science fiction.
#17642
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
All That We See or Seem
Ken Liu
#1
• Mentioned in 1,312 episodes
1984
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.
In this episode, Ken Liu joins the podcast to explore how science fiction serves as our modern mythology. We discuss his new techno-thriller "All That We See or Seem", the concept of egolets (AI capturing facets of our identity), the noematograph (AI as a camera for thought), and the role of collective dreaming in making us more human.
Ken also reflects on Frankenstein, Philip K. Dick, the challenge of translation, and why technology is “the mind made tangible.”
Ken's new book is now available to buy: https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Seem-Julia-Novel/dp/1668083175/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YQBXYV3NPYRQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qZEp-FJsQjZ1DeI_1aU9dUCHVQLskKq0l80APpXt8lY._8ZY1FJprDwz6sXFyMqa538OZaQZx-_KzsBkHjRww1g&dib_tag=se&keywords=ken+liu+all+that+we+see+or+seem&qid=1758810447&sprefix=ken+liu+all%2Caps%2C326&sr=8-1
On the Existential Hope Podcast hosts Allison Duettmann and Beatrice Erkers from the Foresight Institute invite scientists, founders, and philosophers for in-depth conversations on positive, high-tech futures.
Full transcript, listed resources, and more: https://www.existentialhope.com/podcasts
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