Inquiring Minds

Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges with Gary F. Bengier

Dec 17, 2024

Gary Bengier, a Silicon Valley tech expert and science fiction author, explores the future in his novel, 'Journey to 2125'. He discusses the looming challenges of automation and labor displacement, alongside the societal implications of biotechnology. Bengier emphasizes the critical role of nuclear fission in addressing the global energy crisis. With his unique blend of philosophy and technology, he weaves a narrative that raises critical questions about humanity's trajectory while offering an optimistic lens on tackling pressing issues.

57:12

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Episode guests

Gary Bengier

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Quick takeaways

Gary Bengier emphasizes the necessity of creating alternative economic frameworks to address the societal implications of automation and job displacement.

The novel illustrates the hopeful resilience of humanity in confronting complex future challenges like climate change, biotechnology, and AI growth.

Deep dives

The Premise of Journey to 2125

The novel Journey to 2125 serves as a prequel to Gary Bengier's earlier work, Unfettered Journey. It explores the interconnected lives of a family across four generations and the societal shifts prompted by climate change, robotics, AI, and biotechnology. The narrative is clever, utilizing a familial lens to delve into the challenges of the future while breaking down complex concepts into relatable human stories. Bengier's approach emphasizes that the narrative is not merely about dystopian declines, but also instills a sense of hope and resilience in facing the unknown.

Intro

3min

Journey to 2125: A Prequel Perspective

19min

The Future of Work in an Automated World

8min

The Future of Work and Technology

15min

Fission Energy: A Crucial Solution

8min

Empathy and Experience in Sci-Fi Writing

4min

Gratitude and Holiday Promotions

2min

In this episode of Inquiring Minds, host Adam Bristol sits down with Silicon Valley tech expert, philosopher, and acclaimed science fiction author Gary Bengier to discuss his new novel, Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges. As a prequel to his celebrated book Unfettered Journey, this latest work delves into the pivotal technological, political, and societal challenges humanity may face in the next century, all framed through the lens of a multi-generational family saga.

Bengier’s unique background—spanning a career as eBay’s Chief Financial Officer to his roles in astrophysics and philosophy—brings an unparalleled depth of realism and foresight to his writing. In Journey to 2125, he explores themes like climate change, robotics, AI, biotechnology, and the shifting labor landscape. The book blends hard science fiction with philosophical reflections, offering both a sobering view of the obstacles ahead and an optimistic call to action for addressing humanity’s most pressing issues.

They discuss:

The challenges of automation and labor displacement in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.
The integration of cutting-edge biotechnology and its societal implications.
The global energy crisis and the pivotal role of nuclear fission in the future.
The philosophical and economic systems required to navigate an increasingly automated world.

Bengier shares insights from his career in Silicon Valley, his work with the Santa Fe Institute, and his early life experiences that shaped his empathetic approach to storytelling. This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to thrive in an era of exponential technological change.

Listen in to uncover actionable insights and a hopeful vision for building a sustainable and equitable future.

Journey to 2125 is available everywhere books are sold.

Links:

Get Gary’s new Book at Amazon

Follow Gary on Facebook @garybengierauthor,

Good Reads @Gary_F_Bengier

and Twitter (X): @GaryFBengier

and visit his website: GaryfBengier.com/journey-to-2125/

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