In this episode of Alternate Futures, Kestral Gaian and I discuss the intersection of science fiction, software, ethics and imagination. Drawing on decades in the technology industry, Kestral shares his thoughts on the ethics of programming and the joy of being imperfect in the face of the AI revolution. We also explore his new series, The Reality Quake Saga, beginning with The Boy From Elsewhere, which leads us to discussions about alternate realities, hidden histories, worldbuilding, and the enduring influence of classics TV science fiction such as Sliders and Crime Traveller.
In this episode
Technology ethics
Creativity in the age of AI
Software development and Silicon Valley
Alternate realities and worldbuilding
Reality Quake and The Boy From Elsewhere
Audio dramas and storytelling
Humanity’s future in space
One of the first things that struck me about Kestral was that he is a very considered and deliberate speaker, but also very passionate about the subjects he’s interested in. In our wide-ranging discussion, we began by talking about ethics in coding.
To be honest, this is something I had not thought much about and even, at times, actively ignored. But Kestral does raise some interesting points, which are becoming ever more salient — especially as we move into the world shaped by artificial intelligence.
Is the code that people are writing going to enable positive things or, or negative things, or net negative things in the world? technology is a tool, but how has the tool been written? What are its features? What does it do? How is it sold? What’s the motivation behind it? All of those things are really important questions to start asking. — Kestral Gaian
And, of course, AI was on the table for discussion as it almost always is these days. Kestral’s take on AI vs creativity was an interesting one, however, framed around the joys of being imperfect and of working to improve at your chosen craft. Something that we seem to be nearing the end of institutionally. Fortunately, there are many people quietly resisting the incursion of adequate blandness in groups such as the Tildeverse.
One of the greatest joys in life is picking up something and doing it, and learning how to do it better. — Kestral Gaian
I’ve come to love the books-turned-audio drama I get from Audible (made either by Audible or one of the other companies, like Soundbooth Theatre), so I was fascinated to learn of Kestral’s deep interest and involvement in audio dramas. His experience and passion for such projects is contagious and I find myself also wanting to explore such projects.
With Kestral’s own books and especially the debut novel The Boy from Elsewhere of his latest series The Reality Quake Saga, we explore the shaping of the series, the creation and development of the characters, the world-building — partially inspired by TV series like Sliders and maybe even Crime Traveller. And his book launch at The British Library in London — after he spent many days lurking around the area studying the secrets of the building for his story (or perhaps that’s only the vision I had in my head as he described his on-the-scene research!).
In our concluding discussion on the future of gender for a space-faring species, I once again propose my way-out-there idea for future human reproduction (for the second time only) and a way of reducing the physical burden on women. And again it’s met with a positive — although rightfully cautious — response. So maybe I’m on to something…
…and my university girlfriend said she was worried whenever I talked of giving our children wings! Muahahaha. Wait. Am I the bad guy?
Kestral Gaian
Kestrel's body of work includes young adult novels, nonfiction essays, poetry collections, plays, screenplays, and audio dramas, all exploring emotional complexity, grief, memory, hidden systems, and the ways people transform or are transformed.
Whether crafting speculative fiction or sharply satirical theater, Kestrel writes with clarity, tenderness, and a refusal to flatten the contradictions of being alive. Kestrel's characters are often outsiders, observers, or soft disruptors, the sort who change the world not through force, but through persistence, wit, and quiet resistance. Hi, Kestrel. Thanks for joining me today.
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