Author Interview – Michael Woudenberg #Scifi
Name: Michael Woudenberg
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I’m an aspiring Polymath from Tucson Arizona with a background in advanced technologies such as autonomy, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber, aerospace, national security, and weapon systems across a variety of organizations from tech startups to Fortune 150 companies.
I write extensively, specifically focused on non-fiction, exploring counterintuitive insights across different domains and disciplines. You can find these essays at: http://www.polymathicbeing.com.
My side passions are psychology and sociology, specifically around how the human brain works individually and within cultures and civilizations. He strives to tie together diverse concepts to enable human flourishing to both understand and address the technological complexity we face today.
I have a broad range of hobbies including photography, mountain biking, freediving, brewing beer, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and basically most things outdoors. My family is typically along for all these adventures which make them so much more fun.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre, etc (short)
Paradox: Book One of The Singularity Chronicles, a Science Fiction novel with the tagline: “In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?”
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I’ve been writing for years and dabbled in fan fiction back in middle and high school when I started to write a follow-on to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I had the idea for this novel back in 2018 but mulled the idea until I sat down and wrote it this year. The inspiration was to help people understand the complexities of what it means to be human against the wonderful literary foil of AI.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
This series envisions four more books. Two follow the AI and two follow the Humans after the outcome of Paradox. The AI series will be Science Fiction while the human series will take on a bit more of a Fantasy flavor.
What do you like to read?
I’m a big fan of science fiction and fantasy. I’m currently reading a Fantasy Web Serial titled The Wandering Inn by anonymous author Pirateaba. It’s been my go-to relaxing read for the past 3 years.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
First off, good science fiction needs to be grounded in strong science facts. At least, that makes it a lot easier to write because I’d already done the research and explored many of the topics in my non-fiction writing at www.polymathicbeing.com. This allowed me to pull material in and maintain momentum.
Secondly, good writing should surprise the author. Let the characters live, breathe, behave, and grow without too much scripting. I was certainly surprised at how one of the main characters, Noah, ended up being such a central character to how the AI became sentient.
Book Synopsis
“In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?”
Kira and Noah face a choice: Do they follow in their father’s footsteps, advancing Artificial Intelligence to allow their dying mother to live on? Or do they let her rest in peace and step away from the technology that is dividing humanity?
Kira knows her choice and follows her vision to make a sentient AI that captures all of who her mother was. Her path challenges her commitment as she weaves together biology, psychology, philosophy, and robotics, working with world-class scientists to unlock the complexity of the human mind and achieve technological singularity.
Her brother Noah follows his own vision of humanity stepping back from advanced technology. He wants to return to an existence focusing on natural connections, not the artificial world of computers and virtual reality. He leads a team of elite resistance fighters to defend humanity against the dangers of AI yet finds himself questioning which side is right.
In the chaotic battle that ensues, will they lose their humanity or will they learn what truly makes them human? They face a paradox with no easy answers.
Links/Social media
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49YrsWZ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paradox-michael-woudenberg/1143812868?ean=2940160751788
Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/mvNDQz Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6034816526586582
