artificial intelligence – FULL CONTACT NERD

Science fiction novel – “Providence” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2020) – Max Barry interview

Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2xHNTCx

Max Barry has authored six novels including science fiction. He also developed the popular nation simulation game NationStates. He’s recently published a new science fiction novel Providence and we spoke about the book, his inspirations, and the craft of writing.

0:42 – Max talks about why he chose to write Providence.

5:46 – Max talks about how he constructed the world in the novel. He also talks about the science behind the novel.

10:23 – Max goes into more detail about the alien force in the book and the conflict.

12:36 – Max talks about the works that inspire his writing and process.

17:25 – Max talks about how he completed the work process-wise.

22:34 – Max talks about having been a programmer before writing. He’s also created a popular online game called Nation States. Providence also has an associated game at providence.training.

25:48 – Max talks about the editing of the book.

28:25 – Max talks about the musical aesthetic of the book.

32:43 – Max talks about his love of a game called Elite on the Commodore 64.

34:23 – Max talks about his latest writing project.

37:37 – Max talks about what he focuses on in his writing. He talks about the use of satire in writing.

41:08 – Max can be found at maxbarry.com.

Links of interest

https://amzn.to/2xHNTCx

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612940/providence-by-max-barry/

https://maxbarry.com/

https://providence.training/

https://www.nationstates.net/

For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast

Guests: Max Barry

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, conflict, future, spaceship, advanced technology, larry niven, philip k. dick, old school sci-fi, alien, first contact, genome, star wars, programmer, artificial intelligence, Jennifer Government, nation states game, Daft Punk, orchestral dubstep, electronica, Commodore 64, Elite

Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2xHNTCx

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sci-Fi and Science – “Exploring Science Through Science Fiction” 2nd ed (Springer, 2019) – Barry Luokkala interview

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Barry Luokkala is a physicist and physics professor with Carnegie Mellon. He wrote a book on science and science fiction after he found that students enjoyed the class so much and he had enough material to write a book on the subject. We discussed the book. Check out the book here.

0:39 – Barry talks about how he developed this book.

2:24 – Barry talks about the focus of the book and how it introduces students

to science through science fiction movies and shows.

5:04 – Barry talks about how he approaches science fiction versus science fantasy.

8:37 – Barry talks about what movies and filsm most inspire aspiring scientists.

11:39 – Barry talks about Asimov’s robot novels.

12:54 – Barry talks about HAL 9000.

14:33 – Barry says Transcendence is the best movie right now that explores quantum computing.

19:47 – Barry has tried to avoid zombies and biology in his book. There isn’t enough science behind the idea. He also discusses Frankenstein as a science fiction novel. He then discusses a Kepler book that was science fiction.

22:24 – Barry discusses other writers who wrote science fiction in the 1600s.

24:48 – Barry talks about the giant ships in Indepedence Day and the science behind their hovering.

31:32 – Barry has a page on the Carnegie Mellon physics department webpage.

Links of interest

Check out the book here.

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4614-7891-1

https://www.cmu.edu/physics/people/faculty/luokkala.html

For more “Full Contact Nerd” please find me at http://crisalvarez.com, follow me on Facebook at crisalvarezwlc, on youtube at Cris Alvarez and on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi

Guests: Barry Luokkala

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, science, carnegie mellom, zachary quinto, physics, singularity, time, space, matter, universe, extraterrestrial, biology, biotechnology, star trek, planet of the apes, artificial intelligence, robotics, doctor who, isaac asimov, forbidden planet, i robot, 2001, HAL 9000, Transcendence, Interstellar, frankenstein, zombies, Kepler, Die Another Day, Independence day, Jurassic Park

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.