For the host

Host Kit

Tonight’s menu

London, 2050

Livia’s coffee

Livia is obsessed with coffee, and so is Tom. In 2055, it may be synthetic.

Tully’s rum

Tully keeps artisan Scottish rum. A dark rum and ginger works for everyone else.

Perfume pills

A bowl of mints, sold as Jiang’s scent pills.

Freezer-cold vodka

Martha’s drink, served straight. Put it next to the pills. Readers who have finished will know why.

Ration-day snacks

Something cold. London 2050 is very, very hot.

The writing playlist

Tom writes to film scores. Put these on low while you talk.

Blade Runner 2049

Hans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch · Vast and cinematic, for the big settings

Interstellar

Hans Zimmer · For the high-tension scenes

The Batman

Michael Giacchino · Melancholy, for the quieter moments

Running the evening

  1. Hand out the 2050 Ballot. Everyone votes before you begin, and you count the result.
  2. Put the Press Pack on the table. The “Hand out” line on each sheet tells you when.
  3. Pick five or six questions from the guide. You do not need them all.
  4. Finish with the Easter Egg Hunt, then vote again.
  5. Send your two counts to Tom at thomasrweaver.com/book-clubs.
Artificial Wisdom · Host Kit thomasrweaver.com/book-clubs

Warm-up

Six icebreakers

  1. Design your egospace: the private virtual room you enter before Neuro-Reality. Tom wants an alien temple, or the glass lobby of a space hotel. What is yours?
  2. What would the New Carthage police arrest you for in 2050?
  3. How can you tell I’m definitely human? Give one “human tell”. The group rates it: valid, suspicious or definitely AI.
  4. Physical bookshelves are rare in 2050. How do you arrange yours?
  5. Johan Pedersen’s house shows what billions can buy. Money no object, what does your dream house look like, and where is it?
  6. Fancast the film adaptation. Who plays Tully, Livia, October, Lockwood, and the voice of Solomon?

For bookstagram and online clubs

Campaign poster

Design a “get out the vote” poster for Solomon or Lockwood. Bonus points for slogans.

Protest sign

Pick the one line from Artificial Wisdom you would march with, and make it a sign.

Comp stack

Build a stack of the books you would compare it to. Tom’s: I Am Pilgrim meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Wool.

Rate my humanity

Post your five human tells and invite others to duet: valid, suspicious or definitely AI.

Reading drink

Photograph the book with your perfect drink: Livia’s coffee or Tully’s rum.

Last-page reaction

Film or write your reaction to finishing the book, with no spoilers.

Tag @tom_weaver on Instagram or @thomasr.weaver on TikTok so Tom can find them.