Sci-fi thriller combines aliens, robots, and Cherokee culture

In this episode of Science Friday, host Flora Lichtman speaks with author Daniel H. Wilson about his sci-fi thriller *Hole in the Sky*, a story that reimagines first contact through a Cherokee cultural lens. Set in the real-life Spiro Mounds of eastern Oklahoma—ancient ceremonial earthworks believed to mirror the Pleiades constellation—the novel centers on Jim, a Cherokee man who encounters a mysterious turtle-shaped alien craft. Rather than reacting with fear or aggression, Jim’s worldview, rooted in indigenous perspectives of living with the unknown, offers a radically different response to extraterrestrial contact. Wilson explores how mainstream sci-fi often reflects colonial anxieties, while his work challenges those tropes by centering indigenous epistemologies, sustainable technology, and spiritual cosmology. He also shares his unique background as a robotics Ph.D. and former Air Force threat forecaster, where he used science fiction to model real-world emerging threats, blurring the line between imagination and national security. The conversation delves into the role of science fiction as a tool for expanding human empathy and questioning assumptions about progress, technology, and civilization. Wilson critiques techno-optimism and highlights the value of indigenous technology—rooted in balance and long-term sustainability rather than exponential growth. He reflects on how stories shape our understanding of the future, arguing that the most powerful science fiction is grounded in humanity. The episode closes with a call to join Science Friday’s Book Club to discuss *Hole in the Sky*, underscoring the show’s mission to connect science, storytelling, and cultural insight.