MC: Well, you did a great job asking the question, especially someone like Neal, whose books we’ve all read since teenagers. And as you said, his philosophy permeates our everyday lives, whether we realize it or not. It would be interesting to interview someone who feels like they have a full understanding of the way they are inside your brain.
AR: Oh, that’s a whole other thing. I mean agree. I didn’t just read the whole thing… People asked me if I liked the book or what I thought it was. And the only thing I can answer is, “I can’t answer that,” because there isn’t… What am I going to do? Did not read it? I’ve read every single one of his books since 1992. I still remember the moment that I, the book I showed him in this interview, that I held up in front of the camera was the copy I bought, because I’m cutting my summer job. Go to the bookstore and pick something up. I asked, “What is this?” And readers. The first 30, 40 pages of Snow It’s one of the best… It’s one of the best leads in the history of science fiction.
It’s like, “What the hell is this?” And I’ve been reading ever since. Like when people ask me if I think the new season of Dr. Ai anything good or something? Well, what shall I do… no answer. I won’t watch it. So it doesn’t really matter. I don’t know if it’s for you, but it was for me.
And in fact, Neal was one of the first science fiction writers I ever interviewed when I first started journalism. I’m talking to sci-fi writers about the kind of nerd culture that’s being built in the ’90s. He was one of the first people I was so excited about when I got the call. So, like, God, I was going to say that book ended my career. I hope that’s not true.
MC: Well, we hope you stick around a little longer.
LG: Yes. I feel like what you just described is also the goal for this podcast, that people are, “Well, what am I going to do?” Now listen to it.
AR: Yes, how will it work?
LG: It’s Neal Stephenson with Adam Rogers and Michael Calore, and that Lauren. We must listen.
AR: I don’t see people figuring out how not to hear this. Are not.
MC: Okay. Well, we have to listen to it. So we will rest. And when we get back from vacation, we’ll hear Adam talk to author Neal Stephenson recorded at RE:WIRED earlier this month.
[Break]
AR: Hi, welcome to another session on RE: WIRED. I’m Adam Rogers, publisher, magazine and website senior reporter. And I’m excited to welcome one of my favorite science fiction writers, Neal Stephenson. Thank you for being with us, Neal, we really appreciate it.
