Written by Rufus

Follow Written by Rufus
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Season One starts with my time travel novel: The Curve of Time. A chapter a week with contextualizing commentary from me, Rufus Williams, the author. I’ll let you know what motivates me as a writer and a human being.

Rufus Williams


    • May 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 69 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS


    Search for episodes from Written by Rufus with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Written by Rufus

    Chapter 69 — Memories

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 13:08


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 69 — Memories, in which Saskia dives to the seabed.Followed by some musings on the Koch snowflake.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 68 — In Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 6:47


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 68 — In Seattle, in which Molly returns to Seattle from her yoga retreat.Followed by musings about the passage of time that we don't see.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 67 — Trust In Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 10:38


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 67 — Trust In Yourself, in which Saskia prepares for her dive.Followed by reflections from the garden.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 66 — Smear Campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 7:49


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 66 — Smear Campaign, in which Saskia and Mica get some unexpected news about Zeno.Followed by some musings on how we can expanding moments of show.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 65 — Hotel—Early Morning

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 9:42


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 65 — Hotel—Early Morning , in which Saskia twists Zeno's arm.Followed by some musings on sleep during travels.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 64 — An Early Morning Visitor

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 5:46


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 64 — An Early Morning Visitor , in which Zeno shows up on Saskia's doorstep.Followed by some musings on dialogue tags.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 63 — Back On the Front Stoop

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 9:46


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 63 — Back On the Front Stoop, in which Saskia and Mica seek out Zeno.Followed by musings on evergreen content.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 62 — Atmospheric Diving Suits

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 7:51


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 62 — Atmospheric Diving Suits, in which Mica learns a little of Saskia's past.Followed by some musings on authenticity in writing.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 61 — An Ephemeral Wind

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 9:23


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 61 — An Ephemeral Wind, in which Zeno experiments with his new power.Followed by musings on how examining logical extremes is helpful.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 60 — Attention Is All You Need

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 9:07


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 60 — Attention Is All You Need, in which Saskia transfers her attention to Mica.Followed by a quick shout out to pi-day.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 59 — A True Superpower

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 11:13


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 59 — A True Superpower, in which Wassily posits a theory about Saskia's super strength.Followed by some musing on context. Including Grant Sanderson's video on Cosmic DistancesExplore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 58 — Bubbles in SpaceTime

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 10:43


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 58 — Bubbles in SpaceTime, in which Saskia wonders about bubbles in the fabric of space-time.Followed a quick shout out for International Women's Day.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 57 — The Meditation Retreat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 9:57


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 57 — The Meditation Retreat, in which Zeno experiments with a new power.Followed by some thoughts on the importance of different ways of measuring experience.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 56 — Evolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 14:00


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 56 — Evolutions , in which Saskia talks about the time travel of evolution.Rufus muses on some fun mathematical references, including 3Blue1Brown video on topology and an interview with Geoffrey HintonExplore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 55 — Twiness Protection

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 12:23


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 55 — Twiness Protection, in which Mica gives thought to how time travelers might hide.Followed by some reflections on possessions.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 54 — The Lottery Test

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 9:40


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 54 — The Lottery Test , in which Saskia and Mica put Saskia's ability to win the lottery to the test.Followed by Rufus musing on the value of apprenticeship, wherever you can find it.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 53 — Second Chances

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 12:21


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 53 —— Second Chances, in which Sasakia and Mica talk about do-overs.Followed by Rufus musing on the importance of stopping to smell the flowers. Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 52 — Teaching Wassily

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 16:56


    The Curve of Time, Chapter 52 —— Teaching Wassily, in which Saskia takes on a student.Followed by Rufus' thoughts on machines learning.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 51 — Gulf of Mexico

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 8:35


    Rufus presages a change to the format of this podcast.Then we dive into the fifty first chapter of The Curve of Time, Gulf of Mexico, in which Zeno investigates how Saskia knew about the DBG rig spill.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 50 — Around the World and Back Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 18:27


    Rufus gives a shout out to a Primed Minds, including the Möbius Cuts Exploration.Then we dive into the fiftieth chapter of The Curve of Time, Around the World and Back Again , in which Saskia sees Wassily for the first time in a decade.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 49 — Measure Zero

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 18:15


    Rufus explores the concept of infinity. Then we dive into the forty ninth chapter of The Curve of Time, Measure Zero, in which Mica wonders if there might be other time travelers.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 48 — The Identity of Ms. Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 11:47


    Rufus muses on how stories make us feel.Then we dive into the forty eighth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Identity of Ms. Smith, in which Sienna wrestles with her dead double that she just left behind.Sign up for a weekly newsletter version of the podcast here.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 47 — The Mess of Being Out to Lunch

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 12:15


    Rufus talk briefly about experiences and giving.Then we dive into the forty seventh chapter of The Curve of Time, The Mess of Being Out to Lunch, in which Saskia escapes the hospital.To donate to BEAM click here.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 46 — White Cotton Snow

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 9:22


    Rufus contextualizes the racy chapter ahead, from the writer's perspective. Followed by Chapter 46 —— White Cotton Snow, in which Saskia and Mica share an intimate moment.Then we dive into the forty sixth chapter of The Curve of Time, White Cotton Snow, in which Saskia and Mica share an intimate moment.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 45 — The Paradox of Agency

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 12:46


    Rufus talks about the way disparate elements slid into stories. Then we dive into the forty fifth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Paradox of Agency, in which Saskia and Mica wrestle with some paradoxes of time travel.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 44 — The Brain Specialist

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 15:42


    Rufus considers how AI will impact society and jobs. In that discussion he mentions a fascinating interview with Geoffrey Hinton.Then we dive into the forty fourth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Brain Specialist, in which Saskia talks to a brain specialist.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 43 — You Look Awful

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 15:18


    Rufus describes some of the dichotomies between being old and young.Then we dive into the forty third chapter of The Curve of Time, You Look Awful, in which we return to Saskia and her mother, Miranda, in the Dallas hospital in the aftermath of Saskia's accident.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 42 — 911

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 9:13


    Rufus describes described a problem with AI model curation. Then we dive into the fourteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, 911 , in which Zeno calls for the paramedics.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 41 — The Missing Phone

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 8:29


    Rufus describes how WTF's are just a reframing of his theory of questions. Then we dive into the forty first chapter of The Curve of Time, The Missing Phone, in which Saskia deals with the aftermath of her pickpocket intervention.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 40 — Zeno's Front Stoop

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 10:23


    Rufus talks about mixing it up in life. Then we dive into the fortieth chapter of The Curve of Time, Zeno's Front Stoop, in which Saskia finally confronts Zeno.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 39 — Priming the Pump

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 15:42


    Rufus describes the first occurrence of meta time-traveling that he's been forced into, along with a couple of ways in which the real world has crept into The Curve of Time.Then we dive into the thirty ninth chapter of The Curve of Time, Priming the Pump, in which Saskia leaves the race track and sets up her encounter with Zeno.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 38 — Back to the Races

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 11:57


    Rufus considers the risks with implicit questions in his theory of questions. Then we dive into the thirty eighth chapter of The Curve of Time, Back to the Races, in which Saskia heads to Lone Star Park, the horse racetrack in Dallas.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 37 — Where Are You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 12:05


    Rufus describes his concept of negligent parenting.Then we dive into the thirty seventh chapter of The Curve of Time, Where Are You?, in which Mica waits for Saskia to return.Here's a link to Terry's book Mean Genes.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 36 — Five Out of Six

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 18:54


    Rufus muses on the role of luck in our lives.Then we dive into the thirty sixth chapter of The Curve of Time, Five Out of Six, in which Saskia follows up on her plan to pay for her hotel with another lottery ticket.As promised here is a link to the splendid non-profit, BEAM (Bridge to Entering Advanced Mathematics).Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 35 — The Weight of the Pen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 8:47


    Rufus compares audiobooks to written text. Then we dive into the thirty fifth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Weight of the Pen, in which Saskia makes a note of the lottery numbers.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 34 — Biased by What Had Yet to Happen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 15:11


    Rufus talks about chipping away at things. Then we dive into the thirty fourth chapter of The Curve of Time, Biased by What Had Yet to Happen, in which Saskia embraces her Dallas trip.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 33 — The Pen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 12:30


    Rufus describes how a certain aspect of a book's structure can be a good metaphor for life and the world around us.Then we dive into the thirty third chapter of The Curve of Time, The Pen, n which Saskia wrestles with duplication from time travel.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 32 — To Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 13:21


    Rufus makes the case that iteration is crucially important to … everything. Then we dive into the thirty second chapter of The Curve of Time, To Texas, in which Saskia heads to Texas to change the past.Also, check out my aunt Ev Hales giving a gorgeous watercolor demonstration. And my friend Kalid's website Better Explained and his description of the Blurry to Sharp approach to learning.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 31 — Blobs in a Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 11:46


    Rufus mulls what it means to do research. Then we dive into the thirty first chapter of The Curve of Time, Blobs in a Box, in which Saskia and Mica spend time looking into Saskia's next steps.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 30 — A Bridge to Far

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 10:55


    Rufus muses about concurrently holding contradictory ideas in your head. Then we dive into the thirtieth chapter of The Curve of Time, A Bridge to Far in which Mica encourages Saskia to consider how else she can wield her superpower for good.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 29 — A Witness to Your Own Death?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 11:05


    Rufus spends a few words on saying goodbye.Then we dive into the twenty ninth chapter of The Curve of Time, A Witness to Your Own Death? in which Saskia's double, Sienna, wrestles with some of the implications of time travel while heading back to LA to find her phone.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 28 — Coast-to-Coast Cabling

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 9:43


    Rufus connects taking random walks in life with the value of exploring.Then we dive into the twenty eighth chapter of The Curve of Time, Coast-to-Coast Cabling, in which Saskia makes a grand gesture.David Epstein's book, Range.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 27 — Clutch Move

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 13:20


    Rufus describes a conundrum raised by the algebraic concept of dimension. Then we dive into the twenty seventh chapter of The Curve of Time, Clutch Move, in which Mica sees an analogy between Saskia's switching her flow through time and changing gears in a car.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 26 — A Cusp Problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 9:12


    Rufus relates cusp points to various aspects of life. Then we dive into the twenty sixth chapter of The Curve of Time, A Cusp Problem , in which Mica describes a new problem to Saskia.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can find the chapter images and join a discussion at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 25 — Up the Coast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 9:18


    Rufus muses on what writers have in common with squirrels.Then we dive into the twenty fifth chapter of The Curve of Time, Up the Coast , in which Sienna steps out into her new life.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 24 — The Recycling Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 12:54


    Rufus muses about provenance.Then we dive into the twenty fourth chapter of The Curve of Time, The Recycling Center, in which Saskia heads to her place of work, nervous about who she might find there.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.Barry's substack page

    Chapter 23 — Life on a Rope

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 20:53


    Rufus takes a bit of a risk and describes what algebraic geometry is with the example that first delighted him.Then we dive into the twenty third chapter of The Curve of Time, Life on a Rope , in which Mica seeks outside expertise to make sense of time travel.Check out Episode 23 on my website to see the images and gif mentioned today.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 22 — Descent on a Dish Towel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 16:03


    Rufus describes how mathematicians like to describe their work. Then we dive into the twenty second chapter of The Curve of Time, Descent on a Dish Towel , in which Saskia elaborates on her earlier description of neural nets while she and Mica have breakfast.To see the image in this chapter, check out Episode 22 on my website.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 21 — Second Saskia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 10:38


    Rufus muses on the value of following your dreams. Then we dive into the twenty-first chapter of The Curve of Time, Second Saskia, in which Saskia's double starts life anew.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 20 — Stuck in Bed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 11:22


    Rufus considers the different natures of time. Then we dive into the twentieth chapter of The Curve of Time, Stuck in Bed, in which Mica grapples with the fact that Saskia really can slip in time, and Saskia grapples with how to get out of bed.Explore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Chapter 19 — Cat Drop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 12:07


    Rufus examines the frailty of life. Then we dive into the nineteenth chapter of The Curve of Time, Cat Drop, in which Saskia tries taking another animal back through timeExplore more at www.writtenbyrufus.com where you can join in a discussion of this chapter at the bottom of the text version of this episode.

    Claim Written by Rufus

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel