Building Worlds Through Better Reading (with Reo Eveleth), 2025.09.29

Powerful AI boosters claim to love science fiction novels, but why do they always seem to take the wrong lessons from them? Reporter and writer Reo Eveleth joins us to discuss the ways tech leaders misuse storytelling, and how we can avoid their visions to imagine better futures.Reo Eveleth is a reporter, writer, and co-founder of COYOTE Media Collective. They created the hit independent show Flash Forward, which they also turned into a book of the same name. Reo’s work has been nominated for a Peabody, an Emmy, and an Eisner Award.References:Tech Billionaires Need to Stop Trying to Make the Science Fiction They Grew Up on RealHow New Science Fiction Could Help Us Improve AIAlso Referenced:Statement from the listed authors of Stochastic Parrots on the “AI pause” letterFresh AI Hell:Stop Worrying About AI’s Return on InvestmentThe most radical act of feminism? Using AILeader of Albania Pelted With Trash for Appointing AI-Powered Minister to CabinetThe Human Cost of Every ChatGPT Query: Inside the Cobalt Mines That Power AIAltman on "AGI" and quantum gravityOK Go - Impulse PurchaseCorrection: We misstated Lee Ostertag's name during the livestream for this episode. We apologize for the error!Check out future streams on Twitch. Meanwhile, send us any AI Hell you see.Find our book The AI Con here, and MAIHT3k merch here.Subscribe to our newsletter via Buttondown.Follow us!EmilyBluesky: emilymbender.bsky.socialMastodon: dair-community.social/@EmilyMBenderAlexBluesky: alexhanna.bsky.socialMastodon: dair-community.social/@alexTwitter: @alexhannaMusic by Toby Menon.Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park. Production by Ozzy Llinas Goodman.