Scriptnotes Podcast 690 - Living and Writing in Sci-Fi Times
4 snips
Jun 10, 2025 
Max Read, a journalist and screenwriter known for his newsletter Read Max, joins the discussion on navigating the challenges of writing science fiction in our rapidly evolving tech landscape. He shares insights on how creative constraints influence storytelling and examines societal perspectives on technology. The conversation dives into the importance of personal websites for writers and the balance between work and play, while also tackling the frustrations of screenwriting software like Final Draft. Max also proposes an intriguing new film genre!
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Science Fiction's Root in Present
- Science fiction serves as a parable to explore and simplify complex social and technological dynamics.
- It reflects the time it's written more than an imagined future, grounding its stories in contemporary realities.
Futures Are Usually Stupid
- The most accurate sci-fi futures often depict a world that is "much stupider" rather than technologically perfect.
- Reality tends to reflect a messy, flawed future rather than an idealized or dystopian one.
Anxiety From Rapid Tech Change
- Current technological changes feel unprecedented because of their speed and societal impact.
- There's widespread anxiety about the future due to lack of trust in leadership and unstable social safety nets.
