1/7/2014
This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features Scott Sigler, a renowned science fiction and horror author. Sigler’s journey from self-recorded audiobooks to published success, his insights into the writing process, and his fascinating perspective on technology, evolution, and artificial intelligence make for a thought-provoking conversation.
Podcast Topics:
1. **Scott Sigler’s Writing Process:**
- Sigler prefers a structured approach, outlining his stories to create a compelling ending and working backward.
- He compares writers to gardeners and architects, emphasizing his architectural style of meticulous planning and execution.
- Sigler admits to a love-hate relationship with the process, often revising and rewriting to achieve the desired level of realism and impact.
- He acknowledges the importance of collaboration, highlighting the invaluable contributions of his editor and business partner in refining his work.
2. **The Future of Technology and Artificial Intelligence:**
- Sigler and Rogan engage in a lively discussion about the rapid advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.
- They explore the potential for AI to become self-aware and surpass human intelligence, raising concerns about its impact on society and the future of humanity.
- Sigler highlights the possibility of AI controlling global resources and influencing policy, emphasizing the need for awareness and vigilance.
- They ponder the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI development, drawing parallels to the Oppenheimer dilemma and the potential for corporations to control powerful technologies.
3. **The Nature of Corporations and their Influence:**
- Sigler presents a compelling argument for viewing corporations as self-replicating organisms, driven by profit and survival.
- He explores the potential for corporations to become more powerful than governments, controlling elections and influencing global events.
- Sigler contrasts the seemingly benevolent nature of companies like Google with the potential for their immense wealth and technological prowess to be used for nefarious purposes.
- The discussion delves into the concept of corporations operating with a “group mind,” motivated by self-preservation and prioritizing profit over human welfare.
4. **The Evolution of Language and the Power of the Hashtag:**
- Sigler and Rogan discuss the fascinating evolution of language, focusing on the rise of the hashtag and its replacement of the pound sign.
- They explore the societal impact of such changes, highlighting the confusion they could create for future generations.
- The conversation emphasizes the power of cultural forces to shape language and technology, illustrating how seemingly small changes can have significant long-term consequences.
- They reflect on the rapid pace of technological change, questioning how future generations will interpret the world they inherit.
5. **The Nature of Intelligence and the Animal Kingdom:**
- Sigler and Rogan delve into the complexities of intelligence, comparing human cognition to the behavior of animals like dolphins, whales, and chimpanzees.
- They explore the notion of different forms of intelligence, questioning the hierarchy of intelligence often attributed to humans.
- Sigler discusses the remarkable communication abilities of various animals, including dolphins, wolves, and cuttlefish, highlighting the potential for diverse forms of intelligence in the natural world.
- They question whether humans are truly the most intelligent species, suggesting that other animals may possess unique and remarkable abilities that humans often overlook.
6. **The Ethical Dilemmas of Entertainment and Creative Expression:**
- Sigler and Rogan discuss the ethical challenges faced by authors, filmmakers, and comedians in portraying sensitive topics like racism, violence, and mental illness.
- Sigler shares his experiences with pushback from publishers and fans regarding controversial content, emphasizing the need to balance creative expression with social responsibility.
- They explore the delicate line between satire, humor, and offensiveness, acknowledging the subjective nature of humor and the potential for misinterpretation.
- The conversation delves into the complexities of portraying realistic characters, even those who exhibit harmful behavior, highlighting the need to avoid glorifying or condoning such actions.
7. **The Importance of Free Content and the Future of Monetization:**
- Sigler advocates for the importance of providing free content, allowing audiences to discover and appreciate his work before making a financial investment.
- He believes this strategy fosters organic growth and word-of-mouth promotion, highlighting the value of accessibility in the digital age.
- Sigler contrasts this approach with the challenges of monetizing content in a saturated marketplace, suggesting that traditional methods may be less effective in the digital age.
- The conversation explores potential future models for monetizing content, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptability in an increasingly competitive landscape.
8. **The Impact of the Internet on Entertainment and Culture:**
- Sigler and Rogan discuss the transformative impact of the internet on entertainment and cultural trends, highlighting the accessibility of information and the rise of online communities.
- They explore the power of social media to create and amplify cultural trends, emphasizing the importance of online marketing and engagement for authors and entertainers.
- Sigler highlights the challenges of navigating online criticism and negativity, suggesting strategies for maintaining perspective and focusing on positive interactions.
- The conversation explores the complex relationship between artists and their audiences in the digital age, acknowledging the potential for both connection and conflict.
9. **The Evolution of MMA and the Importance of Respect:**
- Sigler and Rogan discuss the evolution of mixed martial arts, emphasizing the physical and psychological toll it takes on fighters.
- They criticize the tendency of some journalists to be dismissive or disrespectful of fighters, advocating for a more nuanced and compassionate approach.
- Sigler highlights the sacrifices made by fighters, both in and out of the ring, suggesting that their struggles should be treated with respect and understanding.
- The conversation emphasizes the need for journalists to appreciate the complexity of the sport and the human stories behind it, avoiding superficial commentary and promoting a culture of respect.
10. **The Power of Storytelling and its Impact on Society:**
- Sigler and Rogan discuss the profound impact of storytelling, emphasizing its ability to transport audiences to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire reflection.
- They explore the ethical responsibilities of storytellers, acknowledging the potential for their creations to influence viewers and readers.
- Sigler shares his personal experiences with the power of storytelling, highlighting the positive impact his work has had on readers and the importance of connecting with audiences on an emotional level.
- The conversation underscores the enduring power of stories to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, reminding us of the vital role of creative expression in society.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “I don’t have have that one in me. I I’m like, the 1st 30 minutes are usually just trash absolute trash work. And then at some point, something just takes over and you’re making really good stuff.” – Sigler describes the initial struggle to find his creative flow, emphasizing the importance of persistence and allowing inspiration to take hold.
- “If you’re actually trying to get into the point where you make that bad guy, where you feel for the bad guy, and empathize with the bad guy, that’s tricky stuff.” – Sigler highlights the challenges of creating compelling villains, emphasizing the need to understand their motivations and avoid simplistic portrayals.
- “You know, it’s it’s putting their the decision in their hands. Yeah. You, the customer, know what you wanna spend your money on. And we honestly don’t give a shit.” – Sigler explains his philosophy of providing free content, empowering audiences to choose whether to support his work financially.
- “If you’re doing horror right or any kind of writing right, I think there’s a lot of stuff you cross that makes you feel super Iky. Like, I’m, you know, am I influencing someone to perform these kind of acts by putting it in the book?” – Sigler acknowledges the ethical concerns of portraying graphic content, questioning the potential for his work to inspire real-world harm.
- “It’s not that anybody who’s being lazy, but sometimes there’s a puzzle that people just don’t have the effort to solve. Yeah. It’s not that they’re not working hard. They just didn’t they didn’t complete it.” – Sigler expresses his frustration with authors who fail to fully realize their potential, highlighting the importance of dedication and meticulousness in the writing process.