Megadodo Publications Emerging Technology (Fake) ETF

“Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale.
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi novel Don’t Create The Torment Nexus.”

- The Onion writer Alex Blechman

I’ve run a sci-fi book club for 10 years and worked in technology for the duration. I have seen my fair share of parallels to the Torment Nexus in my recruiter emails. But I’ve also had a ton of “holy shit”, how did this author writing two decades ago predict this world-changing technology (positive)?

I have no interest in investing in or working for the creators of the Torment Nexus. But there are many emerging technologies I am excited about. And as I read our sci-fi book each month, I’ve decided to dedicate some time each month nerding about on the emerging technologies from the novel as they leak into the real world. To make it interesting, I try to ground this to real-life startups and I make a monthly investment (provided the tech isn’t too Torment Nexus-y). Those investments are my fake Megadodo Publications ETF. Megadodo Publications is my Substack where you can read my book and technology reviews, and this site is for tracking how well those investments are doing. Please enjoy. This is not financial advice.

Thesis

My thesis is that science fiction authors both predict future technologies by being active researchers with their finger on the pulse of technologies already in flight and actually inspire technologists to create new technologies from their work.

I want to live in a better world and while the bulk of my investments are in index funds and 401ks, I want to invest in technologies I want to see exist. Science fiction is a great way to think speculatively about the world you want to live in because it often begins showing you the world you don’t.

I want more people to be active in describing and acting on their desires for a better world. It’s very easy today to feel beaten down and resigned to the dystopian world that is rapidly befalling us. But it’s not true. We have agency and we can articulate and fight for a better world. Investing in technologies I am excited about is a small way in which I do that.