Futureverse

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran sit down with acclaimed author Sam J. Miller. They explore themes of dystopia, activism, and the intersection of technology and nature while reflecting on the realities of marginalized communities, the impact of AI governance, and the hopeful resilience of people in the face of adversity.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

01:49 Exploring Qaanaaq: A Floating City of Refugees

04:23 Dystopia vs. Reality: The Intersection of Fiction and Activism

06:03 Character Perspectives: The Four Lenses of Qaanaaq

12:29 The Echoes of History

16:23 Climate Change and Floating Cities

21:00 Immigration and Climate Crisis

24:53 Resilience of the Marginalized

27:13 Hope Amidst Despair: The Power of Community

28:47 AI's Role in Society: A Cautionary Tale

30:45 Future Works

Thanks for listening to Futureverse! Subscribe here for more episodes

Share

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran sit down with acclaimed author and scientist Naomi Oreskes. They delve into the world of climate communication, from historical turning points to the influence of money and ideology in climate denial.

She also shares insights from her books and discusses the different hurdles in the climate conversation, the power of fiction in tackling climate issues, and the urgent need for effective science communication.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

02:29 Historical Moments in Climate Change Response

07:19 The Role of Money and Ideology in Climate Denial

08:57 Exploring Climate Fiction and Imagination

12:01 The Importance of Narrative in Science Communication

16:37 Challenges Faced by Climate Scientists in Communication

19:50 The Arbitrary Nature of Scientific Standards

24:12 The Big Myth: Unpacking Free Market Ideology

27:16 The Role of Fiction in Climate Discourse

33:23 Capitalism and Climate Crisis: A Complex Relationship

35:39 Imagining the Collapse of Western Civilization

37:49 Future Endeavors: Naomi's Next Projects

Share

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran sit down with acclaimed author Jeff VanderMeer to discuss, among many things, his latest novel, Absolution, the unexpected fourth installment of the Southern Reach series.

The conversation explores the tangled web of human-environment relationships and how novels can serve as testing grounds for exploring ecological and psychological ideas. VanderMeer also talks about why he challenges the very terminology of “climate fiction” — he’s quite convincing!

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

(01:10) The Mysteries of Area X

(03:02) Writing Absolution: A Journey

(09:14) Interrogating Solutions in Climate Fiction

(14:13) Hyperobjects and Their Impact

(20:06) The Role of Non-Human Perspectives

(24:38) Frustrations with Bureaucracy

(33:12) Future Works and Adaptations

Share

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview author Stephen Markley to dive deep into his novel, The Deluge. Through a meticulous exploration of a progressively destabilizing world, Markley illustrates the possible futures we might face if we fail to act on climate now.

The conversation explores the American-centric narrative, climate denialism, surveillance capitalism, and the political dimensions of climate action. 

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

(02:10) Stephen Markley Discusses The Deluge

(06:00) Focusing on the Science

(07:06) The Frightening Reality of Methane Hydrates and Climate Change

(14:23) Crafting Climate Fiction to Emotionally Engage Readers

(19:08) Worst Case Scenario or Possible Future?

(24:32) The Impact of Surveillance Capitalism on Society and Democracy

(30:43) Influences and Inspirations

(32:30) Climate Fiction's Coastal Differences and Future Urban Resilience

Share

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview Edan Lepucki about her works of climate fiction, including her novel California and her short story "There's No Place Like Home."

Their discussion probes the intersections of climate fiction, personal relationships, and societal dynamics in a changing world. From fears of societal regression to the intricacies of world-building, Lepucki shares how climate change informs her narratives, seamlessly weaving environmental concerns into the fabric of her character-driven stories and challenges readers to confront the fragility of progress and the complexity of human nature amidst a backdrop of environmental catastrophes.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

(02:45) Reimagining Dystopian Fiction in the Face of Climate Change

(07:10) Flawed Characters and the Myth of Apocalyptic Survival

(14:22) Imagining Apocalyptic Worlds Through Sensory Experiences

(16:06) Exploring Bleak Worlds as a Cathartic Writing Experience

(21:16) Secrets, Storytelling, and Climate Change Challenges

(26:29) Edan’s Literary Inspiration

Share

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview acclaimed author,  TC Boyle. Often called the “Godfather of Climate Fiction," Boyle has penned 31 books and more than 150 short stories with an impressive career that has spanned over four decades.

The conversation dives into the climatic and biological challenges facing our planet and how they provide both a warning and an invitation to consider the permanence of life amidst human-induced environmental changes.

Boyle shares the inspirations behind his environmentally driven novels, demonstrating the profound influence of nature in his life and writings. He shares excerpts from his latest novel "Blue Skies," and the broader implications of his narratives for our planet's future. 

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

[01:33] Boyle's obsession with our relationship to the earth as an animal species

[04:13] The current state of climate change and the need for hope

[06:56] The evocative descriptions of weather and climate change in Blue Skies

[10:40] The significance of bugs and their impact on the food chain

[17:25] Using satire and humor in addressing climate change

[22:24] The role of love in motivating people to act on climate change

[26:53] The burden of consciousness

[28:07] Boyle’s upcoming novel

Share

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview American novelist and essayist Nathaniel Rich. Listen as they delve into the complexities of climate activism, political challenges, and literary reflections on the environmental crisis through Rich’s climate-inflected fiction and nonfiction works, Odds Against Tomorrow, Losing Earth: A Recent History, and Second Nature: Scenes from a World Remade.

They discuss the moral tensions underlying financial and moral choices, highlighting the gray areas in navigating our troubled economic landscape. From the failures of past political processes to the emergence of youth-led activism, they explore the evolving language and emotional resonance driving climate discourse.

Discover how literature grapples with the post-natural world, offering narratives that challenge traditional views of wilderness and human impact. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the urgent need for nuanced storytelling and meaningful policy responses in the face of environmental upheaval.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

[01:49] Nathaniel Rich's journey into focusing on climate change

[08:53] Climate change and the importance of self-reflection 

[12:40] "Odds Against Tomorrow" and how climate change is portrayed in the book

[15:09] Financial vultures in capitalizing off disaster 

[17:25] What is morally right in a capitalistic system?

[20:28] Reaching solutions on climate change despite political consensus

[24:26] The framing of hope versus despair is an oversimplification

[27:28] How the language around climate change has shifted in the last five years

[28:16] The concept of a post-natural world is a realistic view

[31:33] Exploring the complexities and trade-offs of our current predicament

Share

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview poet and author Janice Pariat. They chat about her latest novel, "Everything the Light Touches," and how her passion for nature and the environment has influenced her writing.

The conversation explores how resistance and the unpredictable nature of the universe are depicted in her novels and how indigenous cultures provide different perspectives on living in the world. Pariat reflects on the power of storytelling and hope in addressing climate change and emphasizes the importance of love, care, and taking a long-term approach to tackling the ecological crisis.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Subscribe for more episodes of Futureverse.

[02:10] Janice's Relationship with Nature and How it Influenced Her Writing 

[10:35] The Need for Love and Care in Conversations about Climate Change 

[13:48] Resistance and Arbitrary Orders 

[15:07] Janice's Personal Experience of Belonging and Identity 

[19:00] Janice’s Perspective on Climate Change and Deep Time 

[23:37] Craft of Prose and Different Viewpoints When Writing

[34:57] Writing as an Act of Hope, Resilience, and Transformation 

[37:39] Importance of Indigenous Stories and Their Wisdom 

[39:33] Janice’s Book Recommendations 

Thanks for listening to Futureverse! Subscribe here for more episodes.

In this episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran continue the conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson, known for his visionary works that explore themes of ecology, politics, and human interaction with the environment.

In Part 2, they discuss utopia (!) with Robinson pointing out that surviving the 21st century without a mass extinction event is the first step toward a utopian future.

The conversation explores how utopia is not a simple solution but rather involves complex and necessary actions, such as bureaucracy and systemic change. Robinson also delves into the idea of hope and how it can manifest in various forms.

Need to catch up on the conversation? Listen to Part 1 here.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Thanks for listening to Futureverse! Subscribe here for more episodes.

(00:01:28) What is Utopia?

(00:05:50) Path to Improving Late Capitalism

(00:12:01) Capital Can Serve the People

(00:15:11) Come-along Explained

(00:24:12) Individual Actions Can Make a Difference

(00:27:57) Entrepreneurship in the Airship Sphere

Thank you for listening! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Share

In the latest episode of Futureverse, Molly Wood and Ramanan Raghavendran interview Kim Stanley Robinson, known for his visionary works that explore themes of ecology, politics, and human interaction with the environment.

In this episode, Robinson discusses the persistence of climate denial and skepticism, even after 30 years of scientific research and evidence, and emphasizes the importance of community in addressing climate change and finding solutions.

The full transcript is available by clicking above. This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Thanks for listening to Futureverse! Subscribe here for more episodes.

[00:00:52] Kim Stanley Robinson’s Origins and Inspirations

[00:10:52] The Decline of Climate Change Denial

[00:14:10] Exploring the Intersection of Climate Change and Storytelling

[00:17:45] Utopian Science Fiction Writers and Hope For the Future

Thank you for listening! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Share