Can science fiction storytellers predict and shape our future better than tech moguls? Brad Rochefort’s cinematic storytelling doesn’t just entertain—it provokes deep thought about our technological trajectory and its ethical implications. In the latest Synthetic Minds podcast, Brad discusses how his works, like "Zip Code" and "The Holdout," serve as blueprints for exploring futuristic concepts. Rochefort’s creative process blends real-world advancements with imaginative storytelling. His film "Zip Code," inspired by a real-life blogger's cybernetic journey, showcases how blending human experience with tech innovations can generate compelling narratives. These stories allow businesses to conceptualize future scenarios, anticipating the impacts of emerging technologies. Brad emphasizes the role of speculative fiction in strategic planning. By simulating potential futures, his narratives help organizations explore the societal impacts of new technologies in a risk-free environment. How can businesses leverage these insights to navigate technological advancements more ethically and effectively? About Brad Rochefort Brad is the author of The Secrets of Screenwriting, a textbook on unlocking your ideas for feature film screenplays. He wrote and produced The Holdout, a short film about a man who relives his life until he gets it just right. The Holdout played in festivals in New York, LA, London, Italy, Central America, and Online. Some of my other projects in development include the completed feature-length script for Zip Code, a story about the inventor of the bionic eye, as seen on the film development platform Film.io, and an upcoming limited series about a future world ruled by the powerful people in control of a global satellite system and the near-sentient AI rumored to have awakened within.

Is technology a tool for progress or the ultimate mechanism for control? T.R. Napper's cyberpunk narratives might just have the unsettling answers we need.

In Episode Six of the Synthetic Minds podcast, T.R. Napper, a celebrated science fiction author, delves into the cyberpunk ethos, painting a dystopian vision of the future where technology wields power and surveillance.

Napper’s works, like "36 Streets," not only entertain but also serve as cautionary tales, challenging business leaders to think critically about the ethical implications of rapid technological advances.

His rich background in diplomacy and international relations enriches his narratives, offering profound insights into the societal impacts of technology.

Napper’s discussion emphasizes the importance of futures thinking—using speculative fiction as a strategic tool to navigate and shape tomorrow’s corporate landscapes. As leaders, how can we balance technological innovation with ethical considerations to ensure a fair and humane future?

About T.R. Napper

T. R. Napper is a multi-award-winning science fiction author, including the Aurealis three times. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, Interzone, the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and numerous others, and been translated into six different languages: http://nappertime.com/

He received a creative writing doctorate for his thesis: The Dark Century, 1946 - 2046. Noir, Cyberpunk, and Asian Modernity. Yes, he is officially a Doctor of Cyberpunk.

Before turning to writing, T. R. Napper was a diplomat and aid worker, delivering humanitarian programs in Southeast Asia for a decade. He also was a resident of the Old Quarter in Hanoi for several years, the setting for his debut novel, 36 Streets (winner of the 2022 Aurealis Award for 'Best Science Fiction Novel'): https://amzn.to/4cpJfqt

In episode five of the Synthetic Minds podcast, we merge the imaginative realms of science fiction with practical insights for today's business leaders. In this engaging discussion, I hosted Ruthanna Emrys, a celebrated author known for her unique reinterpretation of Lovecraftian lore with a modern twist.

Ruthanna shares how speculative fiction can serve as a powerful tool for exploring future technologies, ethical considerations, and strategic foresight. Dive into our conversation as we explore the intricate ways in which Ruthanna’s narratives challenge us to think about identity, societal structures, and the ethical impacts of technological advancements.

Tune in to discover how embracing the lessons from speculative fiction can enhance futures thinking and strategic planning in any organization.

About Ruthanna Emrys: Ruthanna Emrys is the author of A Half-Built Garden, Winter Tide, and Deep Roots, as well as co-writer of Tor.com's Reading the Weird column with Anne M. Pillsworth. She also writes radically hopeful short stories about religion and aliens and psycholinguistics.

She lives in a mysterious manor house on the outskirts of Washington, DC with her wife and their large, strange family. There she creates real versions of imaginary foods, gives unsolicited advice, and occasionally attempts to save the world.