Episode 16: The Shape of Worlds: on the Intersection of Storytelling and Technology, National Narrative, and the Lineage of Love
Welcome to another LEGENDARY episode! Our Legendaries are special guests that are an expert within their area of storytelling. Ken Liu is an American author of speculative fiction. A winner of the NEBULA, HUGO, and WORLD FANTASY awards, he wrote the DANDELION DYNASTY, a silkpunk epic fantasy series (starting with The GRACE OF KINGS), as well as short story collections THE PAPER MENAGERIE AND OTHER STORIES and THE HIDDEN GIRL AND OTHER STORIES. He also penned the STAR WARS novel, THE LEGENDS OF LUKE SKYWALKER. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Liu worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. Liu frequently speaks at conferences and universities on a variety of topics, including futurism, cryptocurrency, history of technology, bookmaking, narrative futures, and the mathematics of origami.
**SPEAKING BONES, the final book in Ken's DANDELION DYNASTY series, is now available in paperback wherever books are sold.**
In this episode you'll hear:
Ken discuss his worldbuilding process, including pseudo-essays to self, personal wikis, and layering post-drafting
His theory on science fiction and fantasy
Storytelling as a form of technology
A comparison of AI to wizardry, with the caveat that all things should be ethical
The joy of possibility and Courtney's acknowledgement of the fear of the unknown
Ghabiba's staid advice: curiosity over fear
Our understanding of reality through story
"Good stories are more important than good institutions"
The Book of Witches
The promised pistachio coffee cake recipe
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Special thanks to Deore for our musical number. You can find her on Instagram or more of her creative work on Spotify.
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Be brave, stay beastly.