My Conversation with the Excellent Neal Stephenson

In a recent conversation between Tyler Cowen and author Neal Stephenson, they explored a variety of topics ranging from the nature of history and technology to the logistics of faking one's death. Stephenson discussed his tendency to alternate between envisioning the future and illustrating the past, reflecting on the rise of self-taught historians and the implications of historical secrets on contemporary AI. He shared insights on the challenges of faking one's death in the modern world, emphasizing the difficulty due to advancements in surveillance and forensic science. The discussion also touched on the development of augmented reality (AR) and how large language models (LLMs) could enhance it. Stephenson expressed his views on the impact of social media, the struggle of AI-generated art to resonate with audiences, and the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI) to become an unnoticed tool in society. He also mentioned his admiration for certain Soviet achievements and hinted at future developments in his "Bomb Light" series, particularly his new book, "Polostan." The conversation highlighted Stephenson's ongoing influence on technologists and his unique perspective on the intersection of history, technology, and creativity.

- Neal Stephenson discussed the challenges of faking one's death in the modern era.

- The conversation explored the implications of historical secrets on today's AI technologies.

- Stephenson shared insights on the development of augmented reality and its potential enhancement through LLMs.

- He expressed concerns about AI-generated art's ability to connect with audiences.

- The discussion included reflections on Soviet achievements and future projects in his writing.