Ted Chiang on immortality and billionaires at Powerhouse Parramatta
Science fiction author Ted Chiang examines whether billionaires should pursue immortality at Powerhouse Parramatta on November 8.
Science fiction writer Ted Chiang is coming to Sydney for Powerhouse Parramatta's 23-day opening festival. On November 8, Chiang will discuss billionaires chasing immortality.
The very rich seeking life extension "seem like the worst people in the world", raising questions about why they want immortality and what that reveals. Chiang notes that billionaires already live long lives.
They don't do everyday tasks like dishes or laundry. Yet they keep wanting more money despite having far more than anyone needs.
His 1998 story "Story of Your Life" inspired the film Arrival. Another story, "The Tower of Babylon", inspired the museum's Task Eternal aerospace exhibition.
- November 8
- Keynote date
- 23 days
- Venue festival length
- 1998
- Story publication year
- Seattle
- Home city
Why it mattersChiang challenges the growing immortality movement driven by billionaires by examining what it reveals about wealth, purpose, and power.
AustraliaThe Powerhouse Parramatta opening festival brings a major international author to Sydney and explores big questions about technology, wealth, and what drives human ambition.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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