Episode · a16z Podcast · 2023-01-24

Books mentioned on 2023 Big Ideas in Technology (Part 1)

2 books · With Connie Chan, Anne Lee Skates, Jack Soslow, Doug McCracken, Sarah Wang, Sumeet Singh · Listen · Watch on YouTube

At the end of 2022, our team at a16z asked dozens of partners across the firm to spotlight one big idea that startups in their fields could tackle in 2023.

Doug McCracken discussed The Culture by Iain M. Banks and others. Erik Torenberg discussed Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. The Culture

   The Culture

   Iain M. Banks; Ken MacLeod · at 48:58 · mentioned 2 times

   The Culture is a renowned science fiction series created by Iain M.

   Discussed

   “I'm not sure if you've read the book Status and Culture, but it's it's a really interesting look into what drives identity and culture, and it really a lot of it is about status.”

   Doug McCracken 2023 Big Ideas in Technology (Part 1) 2023-01-24 Listen at 48:58

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible
2. 

   Snow Crash

   Neal Stephenson · at 53:53

   Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is a seminal cyberpunk sci-fi novel that famously anticipated virtual reality, avatars, social media, and modern digital commerce through a fast-paced narrative set in a fragmented future America.

   Discussed

   “reminds me of Snow Crash from 30 years ago where I'm reminded of when people went to the metaverse in that book, they could show up as a better version of themselves”

   Erik Torenberg 2023 Big Ideas in Technology (Part 1) 2023-01-24 Listen at 53:53

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible