He studied mathematics and computer science at Stanford University, specializing in user interface design and artificial intelligence, with Douglas Lenat as graduate advisor.
[5] Through work at FringeWare in support of small press publishers and fringe subcultures, Nathan also helped produce a series of performance art shows during 1997–1999, including events for Robert Anton Wilson,[6][7] Survival Research Laboratories,[8][9] Church of the Subgenius, RTMark, and Negativland.
[citation needed] His first article for Mondo 2000 about the IBVA brainwave interface system was credited as inspiration for the song Hi-Tech Hippies by Yellow Magic Orchestra.
[11][12][13] Other popular writings have included a parody (nEurorAncid) of the cyberpunk novel Neuromancer,[14] and court-room reporting on behalf of a newly launched Wired during the federal trial of Steve Jackson Games v. US Secret Service.
[22] Some of the technology at Symbiot emerged from an earlier project created by Nathan, called The Ceteri Institute, which used complex systems modeling to analyze aspects of multinational corporations.