Origins and Fragility of Pivotal Historical Moments

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The significance of pivotal historical moments should be traced back to the origins, like Kropotkin and Nobel in the early 1860s, rather than beginning with grand events like the Big Bang or sapiens. Historical events may appear solid and determined in hindsight, but in reality, pivotal moments are often fragile and precarious.

Steven Johnson returns! He's with us today to talk about his new book, "The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective," and his new day job helping Google develop AI tools for writers.

🔊 You can listen to Steven's previous appearances on this show here, here, here and here

🎧 To purchase a copy of Steven's Next Big Idea Original audiobook, "Immortality: A User's Guide," head here: https://nextbigideaclub.supportingcast.fm/immortality-a-users-guide

📩 Be sure to check out his Substack, too: https://adjacentpossible.substack.com/

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