Sci-fi author Ken Liu on Silkpunk, irreverence and going against the normal narrative

A deep dissatisfaction exists in China over its political technologies, and Chinese intellectuals are concerned with the idea of constructing better ones, according to science-fiction writer Ken Liu, who spoke to a full house at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival on Friday night.

“The question always is whether those who preserve the status quo have so much control over the technology that no kind of subversion or evolution is possible,” Liu says.

Political technology, a term largely unfamiliar in the West, is a euphemism commonly used in the former Soviet states to describe the highly developed industry behind political manipulation.

The American author was quick to qualify his assessment by saying that as an outsider – born in Lanzhou in Gansu province, he and his family immigrated to the US when he was 11 – he believes Chinese problems must be solved by Chinese people. And his personal take on the subject is optimistic.

“Things are showing signs of evolution and the new generation in China are evolving their political technology to solve their problems in a way that is more equitable or just and ultimately more in line with the goal that great revolutionaries from time memorial have always reached for which is more equality and more justice for all,” he says.

Ken Liu operates on multiple levels. He’s both an accessible, street-smart storyteller of the Twitter generation and a wise philosopher of literary pursuits. If he were a fashion designer, he’d be creating both haute couture and high-street fashion. His wicked imagination frolics in both worlds. Just don’t try putting him in a box because you’ll never get the lid on.