Hope Is A Verb Ada Palmer - A History Of Saving The World
Aug 30, 2024
Ada Palmer, a historian and science fiction author, discusses humanity's hopeful trajectory from the 1600s to a speculative future in 2454. She draws parallels between past and present panic, linking it to technological shifts and the understanding of disease. The conversation highlights how history enriches science fiction and addresses gender stereotypes in speculative narratives. Ada emphasizes the importance of recognizing partial victories in global challenges, advocating for hope and proactive engagement to foster positive change amidst crises.
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Panic Tied to Experience and Info Revolutions
- People often feel panicky because their lived experience is the worst they've seen and due to rapid info revolutions like today.
- Shakespeare also worried about fake news during the printing press information revolution, showing history repeats itself in media panic.
Humans Native to Info Revolutions
- Humans are native to constant information revolutions starting from the printing press in 1450.
- Each new media technology causes society to re-adapt, sometimes without complete time to fully adjust before the next arrives.
Knowledge Eases Disease Fear
- Understanding disease fundamentally reduces fear vastly compared to past eras when causes were unknown.
- Knowledge of transmission and control empowers us, making current pandemics less terrifying than historic plagues.