> He's also very specifically said that he would like the world to slow down so he can finish stories before they're obsoleted by reality
My read is that he says it with tongue very much in cheek. So it's not that his stories are obsoleted but overtaken by reality, making the plot appear to be inspired by recent events - no author wants to be seen as unimaginative. Also, it has happened to him multiple times - he had to scuttle another go at a Halting State sequel scheduled for 2022 which pivoted around a (then fictional) global pandemic[1]
My read is that he says it with tongue very much in cheek. So it's not that his stories are obsoleted but overtaken by reality, making the plot appear to be inspired by recent events - no author wants to be seen as unimaginative. Also, it has happened to him multiple times - he had to scuttle another go at a Halting State sequel scheduled for 2022 which pivoted around a (then fictional) global pandemic[1]
1. https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2020/04/reality...