In this 2017 interview, he describes the philosophical conflict between his intuitive sense that there is an external world and the logical argument of Bishop Berkeley that we can only know our own experience and not the world itself. Pondering this paradox, he says, literally made him dizzy. The logical implication of Berkeley’s philosophy is [...]

Here he shares his knowledge of the canon of great science fiction novels and films. He compares science fiction to ancient mythology, noting both similarities and differences. He reviews important themes such as the destruction of the world, alternative realities, encounter with aliens, the loss of human freedom, and the future of evolution. He notes [...]

In this 2018 interview, he discusses many of the great villains of science fiction literature: Darth Vader and the evil emperor, The Mule, Alien, and the many reptilian and insectoid creatures. He notes that in almost every case, there is some ambiguity about who is really evil. The discussion turns to historical situations of evil: [...]

Here he suggests that humans have always been consciously guiding their own evolution. We do so because we are conscious of the future; but we can do so with greater awareness. He suggests that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein story could provide a positive model for the human future — if we can avoid the obvious character [...]