It's been 25 years since China Miéville's groundbreaking novel "Perdido Street Station" was first published, introducing readers to a fantastical world of insect-headed khepri, cactus-shaped cactacae, and terrifying slake moths. The novel's success sparked a broader interest in what became known as the "new weird" genre, and Miéville has since become a prominent figure in the science fiction community.

In a recent interview, Miéville reflected on the impact of his novel, which has been commemorated with a collector's edition from The Folio Society. He also shared his thoughts on the relationship between science fiction and the real world, particularly the growing tendency among tech billionaires to treat science fiction as a blueprint for their future plans.

Miéville argues that science fiction is often misunderstood as a predictor of the future, when in fact it is a reflection of the present. "It's always about now. It's always a reflection. It's a kind of fever dream, and it's always about its own sociological context," he said. He also cautioned against the dangers of treating science fiction as a blueprint, citing the example of tech billionaires who are more interested in settling Mars than addressing the problems of the world.

Miéville's comments come at a time when tech industry figures like Elon Musk are increasingly drawing inspiration from science fiction. However, Miéville believes that this approach is misguided, and that science fiction is being used as a justification for capitalist ideologies. "Let's not blame science fiction for this. It's not science fiction that's causing this kind of sociopathy. Sorry to be hack, but it's capitalism," he said.

The author also discussed the commodification of science fiction, which he believes has led to a watering down of the genre. "When it reaches a certain critical mass, you end up with the really good side that more people have access to it, more people learn about it, you end up with more people writing in that tradition, some of whom might bring wonderful new things to it. You also end up with the idea that there's often a banalization," he said.

Miéville's own writing has been influenced by his love of science fiction and fantasy, and he has been working on a new book for 20 years. He is excited for its release, which is expected to happen before the end of next year.

In addition to his thoughts on science fiction, Miéville also shared his concerns about the impact of social media on humanity. "I really do increasingly feel like, 'No, this is making us sick. This is destroying our brains,'" he said.

As the science fiction community continues to evolve, Miéville's reflections on the genre and its relationship to the real world serve as a timely reminder of the importance of critically evaluating the role of technology in our lives.