Summary
John Rodriguez Carlos shares his journey from a long military career to becoming a writer, discussing the inspiration behind his novel “Chronic Dreams,” which explores themes of AI, cryonics, and the nature of consciousness. He delves into the implications of digital consciousness, the complexities of intelligence, and the role of AI in shaping our future. The discussion also touches on the purpose of writing and the human motivation behind storytelling, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future through thoughtful dialogue.
John R. Carlos is a retired Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander who served for about 42 years in a range of operational and leadership roles across Australia and on overseas deployments before retiring in 2020 and turning to fiction writing. Born in Madrid and raised in Perth, Western Australia, he later studied through associate and advanced diploma programs, then retrained in creative writing after leaving the military to pursue a long-held ambition to become an author. His bibliography at this stage centers on his debut novel Cryonic Dreams: Awakening (2025), a near‑future science‑fiction thriller and Book 1 of a planned “Cryonic Dreams” trilogy, which explores successful cryonic reanimation, global power struggles, and the ethical and political implications of controlling life and death.
Takeaways
John's military background shaped his sense of duty and creativity.
His trilogy “Chronic Dreams” explores AI and cryonics, with the first novel being already published, and the second in preparation to be released.
AI's role in the future is both promising and concerning.
The preservation of identity is a central theme in his work.
Digital consciousness raises questions about the soul.
Speculative fiction serves as a warning for future challenges.
Writing is a means to find meaning and purpose in life.
AI can mimic creativity but lacks true human experience.
Conversations about technology are crucial for shaping our future.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to cryonic technologies
07:23 Journey from Military to Writing
10:27 The Inspiration Behind 'Cryonic Dreams'
15:40 Exploring AI and Cryonics in Fiction
18:20 Digital Consciousness vs. Cryonics
21:57 The Complexity of Intelligence and Consciousness
24:61 AI's Role in the Future
28:56 Speculative Futures and Human Progress
34:46 The Purpose of Writing and Human Motivation
Hyperlinks:
Amazon: Cryonic dreams: Awakening book
John Rodriguez Carlos LinkedIn
Article on Tomorrow: How Many People Are Currently Cryonically Preserved?
Anastassia Lauterbach - LinkedIn
First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (1/3)
First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (2/3)
First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (3/3)
