Why Mythology, Not Sci-Fi, May Be the Better Lens for Understanding AI
begusgasper · x · 2026-09-30
Episode 312 of the Imaginary Worlds podcast features Berkeley researcher Nina Beguš and other scholars arguing that ancient mythology — not science fiction — is the better prism for understanding AI today.
- The episode explores the myths of Pygmalion, Pandora, Narcissus, Midas, and Gilgamesh as maps of the primal human desires and fears shaping AI development.
- Compared to sci-fi frames like Her or The Matrix, these myths better explain why people fall in love with chatbots and fear rogue AI — themes told thousands of years ago.
- It also features audio journalist Rebecca Nolan's firsthand account of trying to bring her late father back as a chatbot.
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