Neal Stephenson: Sci-Fi, Space, Aliens, AI, VR & the Future of Humanity | Lex Fridman Podcast #240

Neal Stephenson is a sci-fi writer (Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, and new book Termination Shock), former Chief Futurist at Magic Leap and first employee of Blue Origin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil Grammarly: https://grammarly.com/lex to get 20% off premium ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free EPISODE LINKS: Neal's Twitter:   / nealstephenson   Neal's Website: https://www.nealstephenson.com/ Termination Shock (book): https://amzn.to/3HhmDKi Snow Crash (book): https://amzn.to/3H7yFFW Cryptonomicon (book): https://amzn.to/3C01HDF The Diamond Age (book): https://amzn.to/3wxUF83 Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/3kkhveg The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1 (book): https://amzn.to/3koMW7n Innovation Starvation (article): https://bit.ly/3mYLSJ2 PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist:    • Lex Fridman Podcast   Clips playlist:    • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips   OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 0:43 - WWII and human nature 9:28 - Search engine morality 14:06 - Space exploration 31:07 - Aliens and UFOs 39:30 - SpaceX and Blue Origin 46:52 - Social media 51:19 - Climate change 1:03:09 - Consequences of big ideas 1:07:50 - Virtual reality 1:30:58 - Artificial intelligence 1:45:57 - Cryptocurrency 1:58:35 - Writing, storytelling, and books 2:21:13 - Martial arts 2:30:31 - Final thoughts SOCIAL: Twitter:   / lexfridman   LinkedIn:   / lexfridman   Facebook:   / lexfridman   Instagram:   / lexfridman   Medium:   / lexfridman   Reddit:   / lexfridman   Support on Patreon:   / lexfridman