Naomi Alderman

Naomi Alderman, bestselling author and video game designer known for her novel 'The Future,' joins the conversation. They discuss Epic Games' landmark victory over Google regarding antitrust laws, exploring its implications for app developers. The recent COP28 climate summit is also tackled, focusing on the global pact to reduce fossil fuel reliance. Alderman highlights themes from her new book, prompting a thought-provoking discussion on ethics in tech and the power dynamics within the industry.

Joseph Henrich, Harvard anthropologist linking literacy to cultural shifts; Naomi Alderman, novelist on digital culture and early literacy; John Burn-Murdoch, FT data reporter tracking reading trends; Maryanne Wolf, UCLA neuroscientist on reading’s brain circuits. They explore how learning to read rewires brains, the decline in long-form reading, technology’s impact on attention, and why early literacy and deep reading matter.

Prof. Mike Wooldridge and Naomi Alderman discuss the impact of AI in various fields including medicine and the arts. Prof. David Runciman raises concerns about the collaboration between AI and states/corporations. The podcast explores the power and control of states and corporations, the limitations of democracy, the humanizing quality of humanity, and the concentration of power in technology billionaires. Other topics include the impact of social media, technological watershed years, biases in AI, and the need to address AI-generated hallucinations.

Ursula Le Guin's philosophical fiction, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," is discussed by guests including Una McCormack, Naomi Alderman, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, Kevan Manwaring, and Sophie Scott-Brown. They explore Le Guin's writing career, thought experiments, and NK Jemisin's response to Omelas. Topics include themes of colonialism, exploitation, utilitarianism, the city of Ummhalat, breaking the fourth wall in Le Guin's writing, and upcoming books by Alderman and Jikiemi-Pearson.

Today, in a first for our Friday chat show, we take on a video game! Two avid gamers join us to discuss What Remains of Edith Finch: novelist Naomi Alderman and FT political columnist Stephen Bush. The game follows the title character as she returns to her childhood home to discover what happened to her family. And it’s considered a model for what storytelling games can do. Naomi is the author of bestselling novels The Power and The Future, and a game designer herself. So does Edith Finch hold up? And what can games teach those of us creating in other mediums? -------We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We’re on X @lifeandartpod and email at lifeandart@ft.com. -------Links (all FT links get you past the paywall): – Naomi Alderman is the author of novels including The Power (2016) and The Future (2023). You can find her games, including Zombies, Run! and Doctor Who: Borrowed Time, here.  – A recent FT magazine piece, ‘Are video games coming for the novel?’ by Imogen West-Knights: https://on.ft.com/4e8qIkk – Stephen Bush on why UK politicians should value video game designers: https://on.ft.com/4e1rGPc – Naomi is on X @NaomiAllthenews and Stephen Bush is @stephenkb. Stephen also writes the FT’s daily Inside Politics newsletter. Sign up here for witty, insightful UK election coverage– For those who are looking to get into games, Stephen and Naomi recommend Disco Elysium (2019), Flower (2009) and Citizen Sleeper (2022). – Naomi recommends Leech by Hiron Ennes-------Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art listeners are here: http://ft.com/lifeandartRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naomi Alderman is a novelist and games designer known for her acclaimed work, including The Power. In this engaging conversation, she clears up misconceptions about women wearing togas in Ancient Rome, discussing everything from adulteresses to sex workers. Naomi connects historical dress practices to modern cultural insights, reflecting on her Orthodox background and the significance of studying classics. The chat also explores how deep history inspires sci-fi and the literary imagination, finishing with a playful debate on which lost literary work to rescue.

In this engaging discussion, award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman delves into the messy magic of human thinking, sharing insights from her series on creativity and innovation. Neurologist Adam Zeman explores the latest scientific findings on imagination and its crucial role in human cognition. Historian Michelle Aroney highlights the fascinating art of divination, showcasing how various cultures historically sought certainty through mysterious practices. Together, they unveil the complexities of human intelligence and the profound influence of imagination on our lives.

Naomi Alderman, prize-winning author of The Power, discusses her latest book, The Future, which explores a post-apocalyptic world where tech billionaires survive. They delve into the appeal of starting anew, the mysteries of human evolution, and the limitations of artificial intelligence. They also touch on lesser-known biblical stories and the impact of the pandemic on Alderman's writing project.

Naomi Alderman, James Sturm and Joe Sutphin discuss Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl shorts, Naomi Alderman's book 'The Future,' and James Sturm and Joe Sutphin's graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down. They explore the captivating style of Anderson's films, praise Alderman's courageous writing, and highlight the stunning drawings in the graphic novel adaptation. A must-listen for fans of these creative works.

Naomi Alderman, a renowned novelist, talks about her book 'The Power' where women are more powerful than men. She discusses life as a polymath and the process of turning her book into a film. The podcast explores themes of gendered violence, power dynamics, and success in creative work.