Neal Stephenson on AI, Rome, and How Civilizations Decline

Neal Stephenson, the prophetic author of cyberpunk classics like Snow Crash and The Diamond Age, has shaped how we imagine the future, from the metaverse to crypto to AI. His science fiction has a way of becoming reality. But Stephenson’s thinking is just as rooted in the past, returning to timeless questions of empire and decline. In this episode, he joins Shilo to discuss Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a sweeping work that has captivated readers from Winston Churchill to Iggy Pop. Was Rome undone by barbarians, Christianity, decadence, or elite failure? And what do those patterns reveal about our own age of technological upheaval—and the risks of AI? Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices