Podcast Summary: The History of Literature - Episode 708: Science Fact and Science Fiction (with Keith Cooper)

Release Date: June 12, 2025

In Episode 708 of "The History of Literature," host Jacke Wilson delves into the intricate relationship between science fact and science fiction, exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our understanding of ancient texts and influencing modern literary creations. Joined by science journalist Keith Cooper, the episode navigates through groundbreaking scientific discoveries, critiques of AI's role in creative processes, and the enduring impact of science fiction on scientific advancement.

Rediscovering Ancient Philosophy with AI

[07:47] Jack Wilson introduces a fascinating breakthrough reported by The Guardian—an ancient Greek scroll authored by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus was unearthed using advanced X-ray technology combined with AI. The scroll, charred by the Vesuvius eruption in the first century B.C., contained fragments of Philodemus's work titled "On Vices."

"X rays can detect the ink, but they can't read one layer at a time... AI has been helpful in sifting and sorting to let us unlock the mysteries of these scrolls." — Jack Wilson [07:50]

This scientific development showcases AI's potential to recover and interpret historical documents that are otherwise unreadable to the naked eye, offering new insights into ancient philosophies and expanding our knowledge of lost literary works.

The Pitfalls of AI in Content Creation

Switching gears, Jack discusses a controversial use of AI by the Chicago Sun Times. The newspaper employed AI software, ChatGPT, to generate a summer reading list for 2025, resulting in several non-existent book titles attributed to real authors.

"AI is terrible... If you hired someone to do some work for you and they were hallucinating all day, you wouldn't keep them employed for very long." — Jack Wilson [13:37]

Jack critiques the reliability of AI in creative endeavors, emphasizing the frustration of having to verify AI-generated content. He argues that while AI can assist in mundane tasks, it often fails to match the nuanced creativity of human authors, leading to inaccuracies and a diminished quality of content.

The Value of Human Creativity

Throughout his monologue, Jack passionately defends the irreplaceable nature of human creativity. He reminisces about his lifelong dedication to content creation, highlighting the emotional and personal investment that distinguishes human-generated stories from those produced by AI.

"Every so often I get emails from people who say something like, hey, I've developed these stories about famous authors... And I just think you haven't done all the work. You've done all the fun." — Jack Wilson [18:35]

This segment underscores the importance of preserving the human element in literature, advocating for a balanced approach where AI serves as a tool rather than a replacement for human storytellers.

Interview with Keith Cooper: Bridging Science Fact and Fiction

Introduction

At [28:07], Jack welcomes Keith Cooper, a seasoned science journalist with a background in astrophysics and extensive experience writing for prominent publications. Keith introduces his new book, "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact," which examines the interplay between scientific discoveries and their portrayal in science fiction literature.

Early Inspirations and the Evolution of Exoplanetary Science

Delving into his personal journey, Keith shares how early exposure to astronomy and science fiction through his father's interests ignited his passion for the cosmos.

"I've always imagined myself as a professional astronomer, sat at a big telescope on a mountain in California or somewhere..." — Keith Cooper [28:45]

Keith highlights the monumental shift in our understanding of the universe with the discovery of exoplanets—a concept long explored in science fiction before becoming a scientific reality in the 1990s.

Understanding Exoplanets: Current Knowledge and Challenges

At [43:43], Keith explains the methods used to detect exoplanets, such as observing the gravitational wobble of stars and monitoring light dips during transits. Despite discovering over 5,800 exoplanets by January 2025, our comprehensive knowledge about these distant worlds remains limited.

"We haven't found another planet like Earth that we could go and live on. All these science fiction stories of ark ships voyaging into the void... we can't do that because we don't know of any worlds that we could go to that would be habitable." — Keith Cooper [48:00]

Science Fiction's Role in Scientific Advancement

Keith emphasizes how science fiction has historically been a precursor to scientific exploration, inspiring scientists to turn imaginative ideas into tangible discoveries. He cites examples like John Carter inspiring rocket science pioneer Robert Goddard and Carl Sagan's work influenced by science fiction narratives.

"Science fiction opens our minds to broader possibilities... It allows us to dream and imagine other possibilities." — Keith Cooper [63:46]

Historical Perspectives: Early Imagineers of Exoplanets

At [54:39], Keith discusses early thinkers like Margaret Cavendish and Voltaire, who speculated about other worlds long before the existence of exoplanets was scientifically confirmed. Their imaginative works paved the way for later scientific theories about planetary formation.

"Kant was the first to imagine that hundreds of years ago... He developed the nebula hypothesis, which describes planets condensing out of a collapsing cloud of gas and dust." — Keith Cooper [58:53]

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Science and Fiction

Keith argues that the relationship between science and science fiction is mutually beneficial. While science fiction fuels public interest and inspires scientific inquiry, scientific discoveries provide fertile ground for new stories and speculative narratives.

"Science fiction will present a piece of technology... and inspires scientists to go and try and invent that technology or to look for that planet." — Keith Cooper [36:11]

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Science Fiction

As the episode draws to a close, both Jack and Keith reflect on the essential role of science fiction in shaping our understanding of the universe and advancing scientific thought. They advocate for a collaborative spirit between scientists and science fiction writers to harness the full potential of human creativity and technological progress.

"If you haven't read them, if he hadn't thought, I want to go to Mars... he may not have gone into aerospace engineering." — Jack Wilson [66:15]

Jack wraps up by teasing future episodes featuring experts on various literary figures, maintaining the podcast's commitment to exploring the vast landscape of literature through engaging and insightful discussions.

Key Takeaways:

• AI's Role in Literature: AI can aid in the discovery and interpretation of ancient texts but remains unreliable for creative content generation due to its propensity for inaccuracies.

• Exoplanetary Science: The discovery of exoplanets has transformed science fiction narratives, shifting the inspiration from purely imaginative to scientifically grounded storytelling.

• Science Fiction as a Catalyst: Science fiction not only entertains but also inspires scientific innovation and fosters public interest in scientific endeavors.

• Human Creativity: Despite advancements in AI, the unique value of human creativity and emotional investment in storytelling remains irreplaceable.

This episode of "The History of Literature" offers a compelling exploration of how science and fiction intertwine, the potential and limitations of AI in literary contexts, and the indispensable role of human imagination in shaping our understanding of the universe.