66. Alexander Boldizar - The Man Who Saw Seconds: Laplace's Demon, Asimov's Mule, and the Trolly Problem (2/2)
Alternate Futures9 Huhti 2025

66. Alexander Boldizar - The Man Who Saw Seconds: Laplace's Demon, Asimov's Mule, and the Trolly Problem (2/2)

Imagine being able to see 5 seconds into the future and being able to chose the path you want from the myriad of posibilities. Preble Jeffereson has that ability and he knows how to use it. So, what could stop such a person?

In part two of my chat with Alexander Boldizar, we delve more into the philosophical ideas behind The Man Who Saw Seconds. We discuss Laplace's Demon and whether omniscience is truly possible, we explore Asimov's Mule - the unexpected variant that can destabilize a society, and we consider the trolly problem as a foil to limited omniscience.

Books of his we discuss: The Man Who Saw Seconds

Further info on this and other episodes can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlternateFutures.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you're on Wordpress.com, you can follow the podcast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alternatefuturespodcast.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Finally, you can follow my articles on science fiction, socio-technological issues, and futurism at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alternatefutures.substack.com⁠

Jaksot(81)

Episode 9: Being an Indie Author, a Strange Satellite, and the Wonders and Dangers of AI with Dietmar Wehr

Episode 9: Being an Indie Author, a Strange Satellite, and the Wonders and Dangers of AI with Dietmar Wehr

In this episode, I chat with Dietmar Wehr about starting an indie author career later in life, drawing inspiration from the Black Knight satellite, writing galaxy-spanning science fiction, and the fun...

23 Loka 20211h 27min

Episode 8: Cybersecurity, Cyborgs, and Alternate Reality with D.B. Goodin

Episode 8: Cybersecurity, Cyborgs, and Alternate Reality with D.B. Goodin

In this episode, I chat with D.B. Goodin about LitRPG, cybersecurity, and the marvels and terrors of modern technology. Story Introduction: Mind Jacker Further info on this and other episodes, as well...

7 Loka 20211h 20min

Episode 7: The Hidden World and The Symbolism of The Matrix with Kerry Boytzun

Episode 7: The Hidden World and The Symbolism of The Matrix with Kerry Boytzun

In this episode, I speak with Kerry Boytzun about hidden power structures, neural linguistic programming, and the symbolism of The Matrix. Story Introduction: The Invisible Guardian Further info on th...

24 Syys 20211h 16min

Episode 6: Working around Grandchildren, The Indie Spirit, and Existensial Disasters with Jacqueline M. Druga

Episode 6: Working around Grandchildren, The Indie Spirit, and Existensial Disasters with Jacqueline M. Druga

In this episode, I chat with prolific apocalypse author, composer, and filmmaker Jacqueline M. Druga about scheduling around grandchildren, the indie spirit, and her interest in apocalypse and post-ap...

11 Syys 202145min

Episode 5: Theology, Free Will, and the Challenges of the Future with W.L. Patenaude

Episode 5: Theology, Free Will, and the Challenges of the Future with W.L. Patenaude

In this episode, I chat with Bill Patenaude about the issues of free will, technology, and the role of religion in humanity's future that form the themes of his debut novel A Printer's Choice. Story I...

27 Elo 20211h 2min

Episode 4: Modern Dystopias and the Thought-Provoking Horror of Mark Gillespie

Episode 4: Modern Dystopias and the Thought-Provoking Horror of Mark Gillespie

In this episode, dystopian/horror author Mark Gillespie shares his experiences with indie publishing, why he doesn't wear headphones, and his opinions on the scourge of humanity that is reality TV. St...

25 Elo 20211h 2min

Episode 3: Hopeful Apocalypses with Christopher Coates

Episode 3: Hopeful Apocalypses with Christopher Coates

In this episode, talk with Christopher Coates about small towns, big threats, and how it's easier to sleep at night being a paramedic than an IT guy. Christopher's well-grounded life experiences show ...

21 Elo 202139min

Episode 2: The Science Fantasy of Ned Marcus

Episode 2: The Science Fantasy of Ned Marcus

In this episode, I chat with Ned Marcus about his debut novel Blue Prometheus and the merger of the science fiction of a trans-dimensional solar empire with the nature magic of an alternate Uranus. St...

21 Elo 202139min