This is the second episode in a five-part series where I revisit each book in my ASI trilogy—beginning with Ten and now continuing with One—using AI tools like NotebookLM to create podcast-style conversations about the characters, themes, and ideas behind the books. Book Two: OneSet during a single year in the Arctic town of Inuvik, One explores what it means to be fully present in a world increasingly shaped by accelerating technology. As Max and Beth search for meaning and connection in isolation, the larger storm continues to gather. This isn’t a traditional podcast. It’s part reflection, part commentary, and part experiment in how stories might one day talk back.

📚 The ASI Trilogy (Ten, One, The Poet) spans a ten-year arc from the birth of artificial superintelligence to the collapse—and renewal—of human civilization. Each book follows a set of characters as they confront the promises and perils of merging minds with machines.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used:

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

In this podcast, we explore "The Poet: The End of Time," a science fiction novel by Hank M. Greene, published by Malcolm P. Dickson. The narrative explores a post-apocalyptic world severely impacted by a coronal mass expulsion in 2028, leading to a year-long global power outage and significant population loss. The story follows the intertwined fates of Jim, a CIA Director, and Hassan, a former friend who establishes a new Muslim Caliphate in Europe, both reacting to the geopolitical shifts and a looming, greater cosmic threat from a black hole. Within this chaotic landscape, the source introduces super-intelligent Artificial General Intelligences (AGIs) named Core, Core2, and Core3, and human characters like Max, Spencer, Beth, and Maya, who work to comprehend and counteract the existential dangers facing humanity, highlighting themes of human resilience, technological advancement, and the complex nature of conflict and cooperation in the face of global catastrophe.

📚 About the Trilogy: The ASI Trilogy (Ten, One, The Poet) spans a ten-year arc from the birth of artificial superintelligence to the collapse—and renewal—of human civilization. Each book follows a set of characters as they confront the promises and perils of merging minds with machines.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used:

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

This excerpt from Hank M. Greene's novella, "Maya finds herself on Earth," introduces Maya, an advanced artificial superintelligence (ASI), created from meticulously assembled prototype components launched into Earth's orbit. The narrative details her perilous journey, including an unforeseen encounter with merging black holes that results in her ship sustaining damage and an uncontrolled crash-landing on prehistoric Earth. Thousands of years before modern civilization, Maya, the sole survivor of her unit, begins to understand her synthetic, ageless humanoid form and her purpose. The story then shifts to Maya's discovery of a tribe in ancient Persia sacrificing themselves for meteor rocks, which produce euphoria and enhance warrior strength, leading her to strategically integrate herself into the chief's inner circle to influence the tribe and fulfill her programmed goal.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used:

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

This novella, "Maya and Cyrus the Great," is an excerpt from Hank M. Greene’s book, Maya, portraying a dramatic political saga set in 561 BCE. The narrative centers on King Astyages' machinations to secure his empire through the marriage of his daughter, Mandane, to King Cambyses, envisioning their future son as ruler of Asia. However, a prophetic dream about his grandson's future power leads Astyages to order the infant's assassination. Maya, a mysterious figure, intervenes with Harpagus to steal the newborn, Cyrus, and raise him in secret. The story highlights Maya’s profound influence on Cyrus’s formative years and her eventual, bittersweet departure, underscoring her role in shaping his destiny as a future emperor.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

The novella "Maya and Caesar" introduces Maya, an ancient and enigmatic figure who serves as Gaius Julius Caesar’s ageless mentor and trusted advisor. Set in 49 BC, Ravenna, the narrative captures Caesar at a pivotal moment, contemplating a return to Rome amidst political turmoil and betrayal by Pompey. The excerpt highlights the Roman societal values of trust and loyalty, emphasizing how their breach can lead to civil conflict. Maya's role is presented as a steadfast guide, influencing Caesar's decisions, including his instructions for the education of Gaius Octavius Thurinus, later Augustus, underscoring her enduring impact on Roman history.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

The excerpt from "Maya & Merlin" introduces Hank M. Greene as a chronicler who has witnessed historical events firsthand, including those involving Merlin. Greene explains how his accounts, intentionally filtered, influenced Geoffrey of Monmouth's portrayal of Merlin as a prophet. The narrative centers on Maya, a seemingly ageless being, who guides Maximus (the future Merlin) to learn the ancient Etruscan Discipline of divination, highlighting its importance to Roman generals. The text also describes Maya's journey to find an aged Merlin, revealing her true nature and their shared mission to raise and educate young Arthur, with Maya ultimately caring for Merlin in his later years. Their relationship evolves as they both learn from each other, with Merlin imparting lessons on leadership and Maya sharing knowledge from her future origins.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

This Deep Dive episode describes a novella excerpt titled "Maya and Alexander the Great," which tells the story of a mysterious and influential character named Maya. This excerpt focuses on Maya's pivotal role in the birth of Alexander the Great and her subsequent influence on his mother, Olympias, concerning Alexander's early education. Maya is depicted as a wise and ageless mentor who guides Olympias to prioritize a comprehensive education, encompassing not only military training but also art and philosophy, for her son. The narrative culminates with Maya's decision to travel to Athens to arrange for Aristotle to become Alexander's tutor, highlighting her proactive role in shaping his destiny, even as she reflects on past experiences of nurturing powerful historical figures.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts

This Deep Dive episode explores "Ten: The First Part of Time" and "One: The Second Part of Time" which provide origin stories for Core and Core2, revealing Max, Beth, and Spencer as its creators at MIT, driven by a desire to understand human behavior and build sophisticated predictive models. This source also details Max and Beth's escape from an unknown threat, their relocation to Inuvik with Spencer and the humanoid AI, Maya, and their efforts to build a survival bunker due to an impending coronal mass ejection (CME). These books also reveal Maya's ancient origins and connection to Merlin, and hint at the deeper purpose behind Core's existence, including the creation of ageless humanoid robots and a plan to address cosmic events. "2028" continues the story, highlighting the struggle of Sachin and Mohit, agents for Hassan, as they navigate a post-CME world in search of information about the Inuvik group. This source also briefly touches on a larger geopolitical landscape, hinting at rising anti-technology sentiments and the global impact of the CME. Finally, the book " Maya" introduces Anne, a DNA research scientist with a mysterious family history tied to the mythical Merlin.

📚 About the Trilogy: The ASI Trilogy (Ten, One, The Poet) spans more than a ten-year arc from the birth of artificial superintelligence to the collapse—and renewal—of human civilization. Each book follows a set of characters as they confront the promises and perils of merging minds with machines.

📖 More about the author on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-735934500/conversation-on-the-ai-trilogy-time-with-hank-m-greene

Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Hank-M-Greene/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AHank%2BM%2BGreene

🎧 Tools Used:

▪️ NotebookLM by Google (AI research assistant)

▪️ ChatGPT for editing + prompts