Science journalist Ziya Tong shares her insights into the hidden worlds that exist beyond the limits of the human senses, how illusions contribute to our understanding of reality, and how our collective blind spots are at the core of our current environmental crisis. Ziya Tong is the Vice-Chair of WWF Canada. She anchored Daily Planet, Discovery Channel’s flagship science programme, until its final season in 2018. Tong also hosted the CBC’s Emmy-nominated series ZeD, PBS’ national prime-time ser...
Feb 01, 2021•53 min•Ep. 34
Cyborg Nest’s Liviu Babitz shares his insights into the latest methods for becoming a cyborg, the process behind designing new senses, and how biohacking will change the way we think about human limitations. Liviu Babitz is co-founder and CEO of Cyborg Nest, the world’s first company to sell intelligently designed senses. He believes more is happening around us than we can actually perceive, so he decided to start trying to grasp some of it. As our lives become increasingly afflicted by artifici...
Jan 25, 2021•54 min•Ep. 33
Computational biologist Dr. Andrew Steele shares his insights into the latest scientific research dedicated to tackling age-related disease, the societal implications of extending the human lifespan, and the habits linked to a longer life. Andrew Steele is a computational biologist with a PhD in physics. He is a Research Fellow at the Francis Crick Institute in London, using computers to decode our DNA, and unravel the secrets hidden in some of modern biology’s biggest data. He has a first-class...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 21
Physicist Sean Carroll shares his insights into the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, how theoretical physics informs our understanding of reality, and what the human mind can comprehend about nature of the universe. Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology. His papers on dark matter and dark energy, the physics of extra dimensions, and alternative theories of gravity have been widely praised. He is also one of the founders of the group blo...
Jan 11, 2021•54 min•Ep. 31
Neuroscientist David Eagleman shares his insights into the mystery of neuroplasticity, how modern technology impacts our brains’ development, and the different ways we might soon be able to augment our senses and enhance our cognition. Dr David Eagleman is a neuroscientist and internationally bestselling author. He teaches brain plasticity at Stanford University, is the creator and host of the Emmy-nominated television series The Brain , and is the CEO of NeoSensory, a company that builds the ne...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 30
The Terasem Movement Foundation’s Bruce Duncan shares his thoughts on the possibility of uploading our minds into machines, what artificial intelligence might teach us about the origin of consciousness, and the story behind the creation of the humanoid robot BINA48. Bruce Duncan has been the Managing Director of the Terasem Movement Foundation Inc. since 2004. He has worked in the field of non-profit administration and education for over 25 years. He is responsible for overseeing the management ...
Dec 09, 2020•49 min•Ep. 29
Former NASA Astronaut Kathy Sullivan shares her insights into what it was like to be part of the team responsible for the launch of The Hubble Space Telescope, the scientific and societal importance of space exploration, and how to create the ideal conditions for innovation to thrive. Kathy Sullivan is former NASA astronaut and the first American woman to walk in space. She has been a crew member on three Space Shuttle missions as a geologist, and subsequently served as the Under Secretary of Co...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 28
Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees shares his insights into the existential threats facing humanity, what it means to be a techno-optimist, and how we can plan for the long-term future. Lord Martin Rees is a leading astrophysicist as well as a senior figure in UK science. He has conducted influential theoretical work on subjects as diverse as black hole formation and extragalactic radio sources, and provided key evidence to contradict the Steady State theory of the evolution of the Universe. Mart...
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 27
Sociologist Prof. Steve Fuller shares his thoughts on transhumanism as a science-based religion, the value of taking a death-based approach to life, and why Friedrich Nietzsche is the futurist we need today. Prof. Steve Fuller is Auguste Comte Professor of Social Epistemology at the University of Warwick, UK. Originally trained in history and philosophy of science, he is the author of more than twenty books. From 2011 to 2014 he published three books with Palgrave on 'Humanity 2.0'. His most rec...
Sep 22, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 26
Historian Rutger Bregman shares his insights into why we have such a pessimistic view of human nature, what it means to be evolutionarily hardwired for kindness, and how radical ideas and stories can shape the future. Rutger Bregman is a historian and author. He has published five books on history, philosophy, and economics. His book Utopia for Realists was a New York Times Bestseller and has been translated in 32 languages. Bregman has twice been nominated for the prestigious European Press Pri...
Sep 14, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 25
Journalist Jenny Kleeman shares her thoughts on developments in the emerging fields of sex robotics, lab-grown meat, artificial wombs, and assisted dying. Jenny Kleeman is a journalist and documentary filmmaker who travels the world finding eye-catching, thought-provoking stories and compelling characters. Her articles appear regularly in the Guardian and also in the Sunday Times (London), The Times of London, The New Statesman and VICE. She has reported for BBC One’s Panorama and HBO’s VICE New...
Sep 08, 2020•54 min•Ep. 24
Theoretical Physicist Jim Al-Khalili shares his thoughts on what physics can teach us about the nature of reality and the mysteries of our universe, the possibility of a theory of everything, and how to make scientific ideas accessible and captivating. Jim Al-Khalili FRS is a quantum physicist, author and broadcaster and one of the best-known science communicators in Britain. He holds a Distinguished Chair in Physics at the University of Surrey where he teaches and conducts his research. He rece...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 23
Public philosopher Roman Krznaric shares his thoughts on how to cultivate longterm thinking, solutions for overcoming political presentism, and what it takes to be a good ancestor. Roman Krznaric is a public philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to change society. His books, including Empathy , The Wonderbox and Carpe Diem Regained , have been published in more than 20 languages. His new book, The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short Term World , will be published in July 2...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 22
Science journalist Gemma Milne shares her insights on how the hype-machine impacts science communication, how tech companies work to attract interest and attention, and how the general public can think critically about new innovations. Gemma Milne is a Scottish science and technology writer and podcaster, published across many industries in the BBC, The Guardian, The Times, CNBC, Quartz, The Drum and Adweek. She is also the Deep Tech and Science Startup Contributor for Forbes Europe. Find out mo...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 21
Start-up founder Wendy Liu shares her thoughts on the perils of start-up life, how Silicon Valley is dealing with issues of inequality, and what can be done to reclaim technology’s potential for the public good. Wendy Liu is a start-up founder who left the tech industry to pursue a master's degree in inequality from the London School of Economics. She was written about technology and politics for Logic Magazine, Dissent, and Tribune, and has been featured in articles on tech worker organising fo...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 20
Computer scientist Edward A. Lee shares his thoughts on the symbiotic coevolution of humans and machines, why the ‘dataist’ belief in human cognition resembling computation is likely wrong, and how recent technological developments resemble the emergence of a new form of life. Edward Ashford Lee is Distinguished Professor (Emeritus) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, where he runs iCyPhy, a research center focused on industrial cyber-physic...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 19
Biologist Adam Hart shares his insights into the mismatch between our human biology and the modern world, why it’s important for us to re-engage with nature, and how evolutionary science might hold the key to our future survival. Adam Hart is an entomologist and Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire. He is a regular broadcaster for both Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, including documentaries such as Inside the Killing Jar, Big Game Theory, Raising Allosaurus,...
Jun 22, 2020•52 min•Ep. 18
Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Stickler shares his insights into the dangers of financial maximisation, why we should give greater consideration to our future selves, and how we can create a more abundant society. Writer and entrepreneur Yancey Strickler is the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, an acclaimed author, and the creator of Bentoism. As a leader of the crowdfunding revolution, he is an expert in disruptive innovation, and a passionate advocate of responsible business. Find out m...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 17
Dr. Camilla Pang shares her insights into living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, how she uses scientific principles to better understand human beings, and why she considers her neurodiversity to be a superpower. Dr Camilla Pang holds a PhD in Biochemistry from University College London and is a Postdoctoral Scientist specialising in Translational Bioinformatics. At the age of eight, Camilla was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and ADHD at 26-years-old. Her career and studies hav...
Jun 15, 2020•50 min•Ep. 16
Human rights activist Maureen Webb and alleged hacker Lauri Love share their insights into the relationship between hacking and political activism, the dangers of government and private sector surveillance, and how hackers are rebuilding society by challenging the status quo. Maureen Webb is a labor lawyer and human rights activist. She is the author of Illusions of Security: Global Surveillance and Democracy in the Post-9/11 World and has taught national security law as an Adjunct Professor at ...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 15
Arthur I. Miller shares his insights on machine generated artwork, the impact of artificial intelligence on the cultural landscape, and how computers are challenging our understanding of what it means to be creative. Dr. Arthur I. Miller is an emeritus professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College London. He has lectured and written extensively on the history and philosophy of 19th- and 20th-century science and technology, cognitive science, scientific creativity, and the ...
Apr 20, 2020•59 min•Ep. 14
Academic John Danaher shares his insights into the possibility of a post-work economy, the impact of increasing automation, and how our future might be determined by either becoming a cyborg or retreating into the virtual. John Danaher is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway and coeditor of Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications . He has published over forty papers on topics including the risks of advanced AI, the meaning of life and the future of work,...
Mar 30, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 13
Transhumanists Max More & Natasha Vita-More discuss their contributions to the field of transhumanism, the philosophical concept of morphological freedom, and how we can work to leverage advanced technology for human enhancement. Dr. Max More is an internationally acclaimed strategic philosopher widely recognized for his thinking on the philosophical and cultural implications of emerging technologies. Max’s contributions include founding the philosophy of transhumanism, authoring the transhumani...
Feb 26, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 12
Quantitive futurist Amy Webb discusses the importance of trend forecasting, the global challenges faced by modern businesses, and the tools you need for thinking like a futurist. Amy Webb is a quantitative futurist. She is a professor of strategic foresight at the NYU Stern School of Business and the Founder of the Future Today Institute , a leading foresight and strategy firm that helps leaders and their organizations prepare for complex futures. Founded in 2006, the Institute advises Fortune 5...
Feb 04, 2020•37 min•Ep. 11
Professor Jack Qiu discusses iSlavery by exploring the ways factory workers are oppressed, how notorious corporations build systems of exploitation, and sharing what activists are doing to fight back. Jack is a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is the author of Goodbye iSlave: A Manifesto for Digital Abolition and Working-Class Network Society: Communication Technology and the Information Have-Less in Urban China . Find out more: h...
Jan 20, 2020•45 min•Ep. 10
Cyborg anthropologist Amber Case discusses new forms of interaction between humans and computers, how we can design with sound, and the emerging field of calm technology. Amber Case studies the interaction between humans and computers and how our relationship with information is changing the way cultures think, act, and understand their worlds. She is an internationally recognized design advocate and speaker, a researcher at the Institute for the Future, and the author of Calm Technology and Des...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 9
Virtual reality (VR) pioneer Jeremy Bailenson discusses how VR experiences can change our perception of self, increase empathy, and lead to new forms of social interaction. Jeremy Bailenson is the founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab where he studies the psychology of VR, in particular how virtual experiences lead to changes in perceptions of self and others. His lab builds and studies systems that allow people to meet in virtual space, and explores the change...
Dec 23, 2019•55 min•Ep. 8
Author and media commentator Rachel Botsman discusses trust, collaborative consumption, and innovative new uses for blockchain technology. Rachel is the leading global authority on an explosive new era of trust. She’s an award-winning author, speaker, university lecturer and media commentator. Her specialism is an engaging and intelligent long-view of how technology is transforming human relationships and what this means for life, work and and how we do business. Her book, Who Can You Trust? (Pe...
Dec 17, 2019•50 min•Ep. 7
Therapist Michael Carthy discusses how he uses virtual reality to help individuals overcome anxiety, conquer their phobias and tackle their fears. Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) is backed by twenty years of scientific studies that prove its efficacy. Together with specialised software, Michael supervises his client's use of VR to ensure the process is controlled, safe & effective. Find out more: futurespodcast.net ON THIS EPISODE Virtual Reality Therapy Human Givens Joe Griffin Ivan Tyrrell Posit...
Dec 09, 2019•40 min•Ep. 6
Performance artist Dani Ploeger discusses electronic waste (e-waste), planned obsolescence of technology and the posthuman in performance. Dani's work investigates and subverts the spectacles of sex, violence and waste in techno-consumer culture. He has undergone an operation in which electronic waste was installed in his abdomen by a body piercer, has worked with traditional metal workers in the old city of Cairo to encase tablet computers in plate steel, attended firearms training in Poland to...
Dec 09, 2019•42 min•Ep. 5
