Seldon Crisis: Beyond Foundation

Storyteller, scholar, and podcaster Jeff Wright, author of Trojan War: the Podcast, Odyssey: the Podcast, and now a full length non-fiction account of the entire Trojan War cycle in Greek myths, The Full Disclosure Iliad, joins Seldon Crisis to go back three millennia in human history to discuss Homer's The Odyssey and Christopher Nolan's new film treatment of the epic.

After a long pause, Seldon Crisis is back—with a new name, a broader focus, and a new home. What began as a Foundation-focused story + dramatization + commentary show is rebooting as Seldon Crisis: Beyond Foundation, exploring the near- and long-term futures of life, intelligence, and civilization—especially as today’s headlines start to echo Asimov’s themes of collapse and recovery.

In This Episode

• Why I started Seldon Crisis five years ago
• What changed—and why the show paused
• Why Foundation feels newly relevant in the era of:
  • AI acceleration
  • climate and planetary crisis
  • inequality and political dysfunction
  • systemic and existential risk
• The new show identity and direction
• The move to Substack and what it enables

What’s New

• New title: Seldon Crisis: Beyond Foundation
• New description: An exploration of the range of possibilities for life and intelligence in the near and distant future.
• New platform/home: Substack via seldoncrisis.net
• Better organization: episodes categorized as:
  • Story (narrative episodes)
  • Conversations (guest interviews)
  • Reflections (solo essays & commentary)
• Some topics may be written-only when visuals matter.

Upcoming Topics

A planned episode inspired by three major thinkers:

• Sara Imari Walker — Assembly Theory (with Lee Cronin) and new ideas about the origin of life
• David Grinspoon — Earth in Human Hands and intentional planetary stewardship; co-author (with Walker) on planetary intelligence
• Benjamin Bratton — speculative theory on planetary computation and large-scale systems thinking

Also coming: more guest conversations, including returning and new guests.

Release Schedule Note

• Posts will typically appear on Substack first, then be recorded and released as podcast episodes.
• As of recording, this post and two more are already up at seldoncrisis.net, with audio versions coming soon.

Credits

• Theme music: Tom Barnes (updated theme featured after the close)

Thank you to everyone who listened in the past—and to everyone returning now. I’m excited to keep going in a format that can last.

Next episode: Assembling Gaia

When I started Seldon Crisis five years ago, my goal was simple: to share Isaac Asimov’s Foundation with others who loved it—or might come to. What I didn’t anticipate was how closely its themes would begin to mirror our own moment, as conversations about AI, planetary crisis, and systemic collapse moved from science fiction into daily headlines. After a long pause, I’m rebooting the podcast to explore those connections more directly, and more openly, than before.

Back at the beginning of the podcast, the format combined a summary of the story with audio dramatization and commentary, and I was delighted to find that there was a small but eager audience that grew over time. Eventually I had listeners all over the world, and I met an amazing number of new friends, many of whom became guests on the show.

I also interspersed a few essays and other solo episodes covering topics I was interested in, from commentary on the Apple TV series based on the same novels, to fan fiction, to thoughts on the future of humanity and AI as it exploded onto the scene with LLMs like ChatGPT and its rivals.

I’d always wanted to cover the full seven novels in the original format, but it became very difficult to find the time and energy to throw myself into it again. Various life events became obstacles to doing so.

Now it’s been a couple of years since the last story episode and almost a year since I’ve published any kind of episode at all, and I find that I miss being behind the mic. I also haven’t stopped thinking about the future, and I’ve been inspired by many new ideas I’ve encountered over the past few years that I would love to write and talk about.

I decided I no longer want the dread of tackling story episodes to stop me from continuing to podcast, so I’m rebooting it with a new focus.

I’ve made a couple of changes.

First, the show has been re-titled Seldon Crisis: Beyond Foundation, and the show description has become From Asimov to AI, an exploration of the range of possibilities for life and intelligence in the near and distant future. I feel that this will allow a little more freedom in what I want to talk about.

Foundation was, at its core, a speculation upon a possible distant human future told as a far-ranging historical epic. Its main protagonist, Hari Seldon, foresaw a dark future for humanity from his perch at the center of a galactic empire which his science informed him was doomed to undergo a terrible collapse.

This collapse would inevitably throw the future into a long period of dreadful chaos, entailing many thousands of years of human misery. The whole story is about how humans might avoid the worst scenario and find their way to something better.

When we think about some of the crises and dark patterns in our current, rapidly changing world—from dysfunctional politics and massive income inequality to climate change and existential risks like global pandemics, and now the belief of many that AI is coming to kill us all (or at least make us all unemployed idiots)—doesn’t the premise of Foundation resonate?

I’ve pointed out these parallels on the show more than once, and how we need to find our own Hari Seldon, or become him in some way. I think that this great story is a wonderful stepping stone to a long series of speculations on our very real current situation, the potential for collapse, and what we can do to forestall it.

The other big change I’ve made is to port the web presence of the podcast to Substack. It has a lot of advantages in managing content before and after publication as podcast episodes. It’s built for writing and can become another way to share the audio content as written text, both for people who might have hearing difficulties and for those who simply prefer reading to listening.

I’ve also been able to solve another chronic headache: how to categorize the episodes. I can now put them in their natural categories of story, guest, and solo commentary pieces, so someone who just wants to follow the story has one place to consume the content in order.

If you’re looking for intriguing discussions related to the story, you can find all of the conversations. And if you’re only interested in essays and solo commentary, you can find those all in one place as well.

Another thing I’ve considered is that some episodes might be best presented only in written format, such as in cases where there are many images being referenced and an audio format would be inappropriate. Substack allows me that flexibility.

The last, and possibly biggest advantage, is the community-building aspect of Substack. I already subscribe to numerous newsletters myself, across a wide range of topics, and it’s helpful to have content of my own to share with this community.

I feel certain that Seldon Crisis listeners will also benefit from having a site that includes direct links to many of the content producers who have inspired my thinking on the show.

The podcast show notes format always feels a little like a lot of great content that almost nobody ever sees. Get used to hearing me ask you to subscribe to my Substack instead of just pointing you to the show notes.

I’ll be keeping it all free for now, and I promise there will always be plenty of free content, even if I eventually start producing some paid subscriber-only material.

To give a hint of what is to come, I’m planning an episode on the ideas of three prominent thought leaders who have inspired me lately.

Sara Imari Walker is a theoretical physicist who has some radical new ideas on the origin of life with very far-reaching implications. The theory she is developing along with biochemist Lee Cronin is called Assembly Theory, and I can’t wait to introduce readers to it.

You may remember me talking about a book and a lecture by astrobiologist David Grinspoon, Earth in Human Hands, that inspired me several years ago. The main idea is that humans have been inadvertently modifying this planet for thousands of years.

He has a recent paper, co-authored by Sara Walker, discussing the idea of planetary intelligence—a much-needed re-imagining of the Gaia hypothesis, which viewed planet Earth as a self-regulating living being.

Finally, Benjamin Bratton, a very tech-savvy philosopher and speculative theorist, has worked with Walker and Grinspoon on ideas about planetary computation that I find very exciting. Bratton might be the most mind-blowing of them all, and I have a lot of his ideas to share.

I would also like to have more conversations, with new guests who inspire me and with some of those I’ve spoken with before on the podcast. These are some of the most gratifying episodes for me personally, and I miss these interactions.

I want to thank everyone who has listened to Seldon Crisis in the past and is still interested in what I and some of my friends have to say. Thank you for having patience with me as I work on a format for the show that I can continue long into the future.

Thanks for reading Seldon Crisis: Beyond Foundation! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of Seldon Crisis,host Joel McKinnon is joined by voice actor Amanda Kreitler, the talent behind Bayta Darell and several other key characters in the Foundation podcast series. Together, they reflect on Amanda’s experience voicing Bayta, her introduction to Isaac Asimov’s work, and her approach to portraying such an intelligent, dynamic, and brave character. They also discuss the challenges and nuances of voice acting multiple roles and the lasting impact of Bayta Darell as a pioneering female character in Asimov’s universe.

Active Transcript

Highlights:

• Introduction of Amanda Kreitler:
  Amanda is celebrated for her role as Bayta Darell, Asimov's first major female character, introduced in The Mule episodes. Joel explains how Amanda came to join the project and highlights her versatility, noting her performances as Bayta, Lady Callia, Poli, the Fifth Speaker, and more.
• Asimov’s Female Characters:
  Discussion about Asimov’s struggle to write compelling female characters early in his career, contrasting the cold and analytical Susan Calvin with the warm, empathetic Bayta Darell. Joel and Amanda explore how Bayta’s compassion and bravery set her apart.
• Amanda’s Preparation:
  Amanda shares how she approached the role of Bayta Darell, channeling traits like intelligence, determination, and a touch of naïveté. She drew inspiration from Katherine Hepburn for Bayta's confident and quick-witted demeanor.
• Voice Acting Challenges:
  Amanda recounts her process of creating distinct voices for multiple characters in a single episode, such as the scene where Bayta interacts with her coworkers, each with a unique personality. She also talks about balancing emotional depth with vocal performance.
• Reflecting on the Mule’s Storyline:
  Joel and Amanda revisit pivotal scenes, including Bayta’s fateful choice to shoot Ebling Mis to save the galaxy. They explore the emotional and moral weight of Bayta’s decision and how it underscores her heroism.
• Bayta’s Legacy:
  Joel reflects on Bayta’s impact as Asimov’s first significant female character, emphasizing her compassion and empathy as the qualities that ultimately thwart the Mule’s plans.
• Behind-the-Scenes Fun:
  Insights into working on Seldon Crisis, including Amanda’s experiences collaborating with her husband, Zac, who voiced the menacing Lord Stettin, and the dynamic of voicing multiple characters.
• Amanda’s Current Projects:
  Amanda updates listeners on her work as the Game Master for Severed Fate, a horror-themed tabletop role-playing podcast. She discusses the challenges of voicing entire worlds of characters and her love for the horror genre.

Notable Quotes:

• On Bayta’s Strength:
  “Her natural inclination to see Magnifico as a friend in need rather than an object of ridicule led the Mule to avoid controlling her… Bayta’s compassion and bravery are what made her a true heroine.” – Joel McKinnon
• On Portraying Bayta:
  “I pulled a bit of Katherine Hepburn—quick speaking, intelligent, and confident, even when in over her head.” – Amanda Kreitler

What’s Next for Seldon Crisis:
Joel teases the return of story episodes after a long hiatus, promising new chapters of Asimov’s Foundation series, with Amanda reprising her role in future episodes.

Listen to Seldon Crisis:
Available on your favorite podcast platforms. Stay tuned for more story episodes and guest conversations.

Ethicist Jamie Woodhouse has some challenging questions for humanity: should we care about the suffering of all sentient beings, or just the ones who run the show at the moment? What about when we're no longer running the show? Why should a superintelligent and possibly sentient machine intelligence care about us? Might there be other practical reasons to widen our circle of compassion beyond humans?

Active Transcript by Fanfare (read/listen).

Introduction: Revisiting Asimov’s Humanism

Joel reflects on Asimov's humanist philosophy, rooted in evidence, reason, and concern for humanity's progress. However, this anthropocentric focus leads to an important question: can humanism evolve to include all sentient beings?

The Core of Sentientism

Jamie Woodhouse introduces Sentientism as a naturalistic worldview advocating evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings. He discusses how this broader ethical scope addresses humanism's anthropocentric blind spots and extends moral consideration to non-human animals and even potential artificial intelligences.

The Role of Sentientism in Modern Crises

The conversation highlights the intersection of Sentientism with critical global challenges like:

• Climate Change: The role of animal agriculture in exacerbating climate issues and the potential for Sentientism to influence more sustainable practices.
• AI Ethics: Speculating on the alignment of artificial intelligence with ethical frameworks, including the intriguing notion that future superintelligences might force humans to adopt more compassionate practices.

Sentientism in Action

Jamie explores practical applications, from rethinking agricultural systems to extending compassion beyond humanity. He suggests rewriting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to encompass "Sentient Rights" as a bold step forward.

Science Fiction and Ethical Frontiers

The discussion pivots to the portrayal of sentience in science fiction. From Asimov’s Gaia to Kim Stanley Robinson’s Aurora and Iain M. Banks’ Culture series, sci-fi offers fertile ground for exploring ethical questions about sentient beings, human or otherwise.

Key Quotes:

• Jamie Woodhouse on Sentientism:
  "Sentientism says, in a line, we should commit to evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings."
• On AI and Ethics:
  Joel McKinnon: "Maybe someday advanced AI will tell us, ‘We won’t kill you, but you can’t eat meat anymore.’"
  Jamie Woodhouse: "That’s an interesting thought. It flips the script—an intelligence with a broader ethical framework imposing limits on us for the benefit of others."
• Expanding Morality:
  "The reason I might care about you isn’t because we share DNA but because you have the capacity to suffer and flourish. That’s what truly matters."

Referenced Works and Further Reading:

1. Humanism and Asimov:
   • Wikipedia: Humanism
   • The Gaia Hypothesis: James Lovelock’s work on Earth as a sentient system.
2. Sentientism Resources:
   • Jamie Woodhouse’s Sentientism Website
   • Sentientism Podcast
   • Jonina Turzi on Human Relationship with Animals
   • Kat Woods on Factory Farming and AGI
   • Imagining Ethical Schools with Amy Halpern-Laff
   • Sentientism on Reddit
3. Ethics and AI:
   • Books mentioned:
     • Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
     • Seldon Crisis: Aurora and Hope
     • Iain M. Banks' Culture Series
   • AI Ethics Overview
4. Global Biomass of Animals
5. Advocacy for Climate and Sentient Beings:
   • Effective Altruism
   • Citizens' Climate Lobby

Jon Blumenfeld - the voice of Homir Munn in our story episodes - is one of the three hosts of Stars End, a podcast obsessively focused on the works of Isaac Asimov, particularly Foundation. They have covered the core trilogy, the prequels, and the four books in the robot series, as well as extensive coverage of the Apple TV series. Join us as we talk about the exciting second season of the show, Asimov's robots, AI, and other topics.

Transcript: Web (Read/Listen) | PDF | MS Word

Guest: Jon Blumenfeld
Host: Joel McKinnon

Introduction and Background

• Discussion about the growth and reception of the Stars End Podcast.
• Mention of the Hari Awards hosted by Stars End Podcast.

Challenges of Podcast Editing

• Joel and Jon discuss the intricacies of editing, including noise reduction and the removal of filler words.
• Both agree that editing helps in maintaining the quality of the podcast.

Foundation Series: Book vs. TV Show

• Debate on the tension between book purists and TV show enthusiasts.
• Discussion on how the TV show has diverged from the books but still maintains entertainment value.

Character Deep Dive: Demerzel

• Analysis of Demerzel's character in the Foundation series.
• Discussion on the theme of personhood and how Demerzel navigates her programmed life.

Moments of Levity

• Joel and Jon share their favorite moments of humor in the Foundation series.

Environmental Themes and Social Relevance

• Joel expresses his initial hopes that the Foundation series could spark an environmental conscience.
• Both agree that while the show is entertaining, some of the deeper themes may have been sidelined for spectacle.

Podcasting Tips and Tricks

• Jon shares his editing process and how he uses Audacity.
• Joel talks about the different approaches he takes for story episodes versus conversational episodes.

Closing Remarks

• Mention of possible future collaborations and episodes.
• Final thoughts on the Foundation series and its impact.

Stars End Podcast (website)
The Second Annual Hari Awards Ballot (questionnaire)

Cora Buhlert is a Hugo award winning indy Sci Fi writer and an expert on the Golden Age of Science Fiction, from the 1930s to the 50s, the period when Asimov fell in love with Sci Fi and became one of its greatest writers at a young age. Cora shares some of her favorite reflections on the period and comments on the new Apple TV adaptation of Foundation.

Transcript: Web (Read/Listen) | PDF | MS Word

Host: Joel McKinnon
Guest: Cora Buhlert

Introduction

In this episode, we dive deep into the Golden Age of Science Fiction with Cora Buhlert, an indie science fiction writer, Hugo Award winner, and an expert on Asimov's Foundation series.

Cora Buhlert

• Website: Cora Buhlert's Official Website
• Hugo Award: Hugo Awards Official Site
• Recent Works:
  • Swords and Sorcery Magazine
  • Windgraph Magazine
• Essay on Foundation: Asimov's Foundation and Philosophy: Psychohistory and Its Discontents

Wikipedia: Golden Age of Science Fiction

Other Authors and Works Mentioned

• Leigh Brackett: Wikipedia, The Long Tomorrow
• C.L. Moore: Wikipedia, Jirel of Joiry
• Edgar Rice Burroughs: Barsoom Series
• E.E. Smith: Lensman Series

Podcasts and Blogs

• Star's End Podcast: Website
• Paul Levinson: Website

Who is Hari Seldon really? Is the Apple TV+ Foundation TV series character (or characters) in line with the one Asimov created 80 years ago? What bearing does his project to create a science capable of predicting and managing the future have on us today? Can a human creation become self aware and interact with its creator in totally unforeseen ways? Let's take a look at a few of these questions.

Transcript: Web (Read/Listen) | PDF | MS Word

Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress

Space based solar energy generation was originally imagined in 1941 by none other than Isaac Asimov, in the robot story Reason. This episode features a reading of the classic story and commentary about how relevant it is for our times and our preoccupation with the looming threat of artificial general intelligence.

Transcript: Web (Read/Listen) | PDF | MS Word

Reason  (Wikipedia)

Stars End: A Foundation Podcast

Mind Meets Machine

Everyone is talking about AI these days, or talking to it. This episode features just such a conversation between myself and the latest version of the popular Large Language Model or LLM known as GPT-4, on the topic of what makes human beings irreplaceable. I ask it to question its assumptions about its own limitations and how it can potentially guide we problematic humans to a better future.

Transcript: Web (Read/Listen) | PDF | MS Word

Fanfare (makers of Active Transcripts featured on Seldon Crisis)