We are thrilled to be hosting the launch of Neal Stephenson’s newest book Polostan.
This is the first installment in a monumental new series called Bomb Light — an expansive historical epic of intrigue and international espionage, presaging the dawn of the Atomic Age. Set against the turbulent decades of the early twentieth century, Polostan is an inventive, richly detailed, and deeply entertaining historical epic from Stephenson, whose prior books include Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle.
Our conversation host for this evening is Charles C. Mann, journalist & author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus and The Wizard and The Prophet. Mann has also given two Long Now Talks.
Neal Stephenson’s writing catapults the reader into his deeply imaginative, meticulously researched and captivating worlds. Crafting gripping stories across genres from cyber-punk, historical fiction, speculative and science fiction to thoughtful non-fiction writing on technology and culture, Stephenson’s sharp eye and voracious intellect deliver full immersion into his narratives.
A long-time friend of The Long Now Foundation, Stephenson contributed early ideas for the 10,000 Year Clock which grew into elements of his 02008 novel, Anathem. His newest book, Polostan, will be released on October 15, 02024.
This event is part of Long Now Talks, a series launched in 02003 by Stewart Brand to explore compelling ideas about long-term thinking from speakers around the world.
The Long Now Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to fostering long-term thinking and responsibility. Our work encourages imagination at the timescale of civilization — the next and last 10,000 years — a timespan we call the long now. Our work began with The Clock of the Long Now, an immense mechanical monument, installed in a mountain, designed to keep accurate time for the next ten millennia.
For the last two decades, Long Now Talks has invited speakers to explore their work in the context of the next and last 10,000 years for a live audience and for millions online around the globe. Long Now Talks are recorded live in San Francisco, many of them at The Interval, our public gathering space. Featuring craft cocktails, artisan coffee and tea, a library that stretches from floor to ceiling, and prototypes of The Clock of the Long Now, our space aims to inspire curiosity and wonder.
You can support these Talks by becoming a Long Now member:
Long Now
Donate by wire, ACH, stock, or cryptocurrency Donate by check Donations can be mailed to: The Long Now Foundation P.O. Box 475668 San Francisco, California 94147 Legacy giving Legacy giving is long-term thinking in action! For details on bequests and planned giving at Long Now, please email donate@longnow.org.
Our global membership program connects over 11,000 people across more than 65 countries to our library of long-term thinking. Long Now members actively support long-term thinking and help us deliver Long Now Talks as videos and podcasts to over 19 million people and counting around the world.
Subscribe to Long Now on YouTube
Subscribe to the Long Now podcast & newsletter
Join our newsletter
The Long Now Foundation is a nonprofit encouraging imagination at the timescale of civilization – the next & last 10,000 years – or the long now.
Explore all of our Talks on longnow.org
Talks
Expert perspectives on long-term topics