Shows
FUTURES PodcastApplied Science Fiction w/ Stephen OramScience Fiction Author Stephen Oram shares his insights on collaborating with scientists to transform research into speculative storytelling, using near-future fiction to explore the ethical implications of emerging technology, and leveraging narrative to foster public engagement with science. Stephen Oram writes near-future science fiction, exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. He also works with scientists and technologists on projects that explore possible future outcomes of their research through short stories. He is published in several anthologies, including the Best of British Science Fiction 2020 and 2022, and has two published novels and three collections of sci-fi s...
2025-02-1244 min
FUTURES PodcastWhy Machines Can’t Replace Us w/ Neil LawrenceComputer Scientist Neil Lawrence shares his insights on what machine intelligence can teach us about being human, the risks of relying on technologies that prioritise efficiency and scalability over ethics, and the hubris of efforts to extend or upload human consciousness using AI. Neil Lawrence is the inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge. He has been working on machine learning models for over 20 years. He recently returned to academia after three years as Director of Machine Learning at Amazon. His main interest is the interaction of machine learning with the physical world...
2025-02-031h 09
FUTURES PodcastPrototyping Near-Future Worlds w/ Liam Young | Dubai Future Forum 2024Architect Liam Young shares his thoughts on how science fiction can be a powerful tool for prototyping new possibilities, why problems like climate change urgently need planetary-scale solutions, and how speculative design can inspire meaningful cultural transformation. Liam Young is a designer, director, and BAFTA-nominated producer who operates in the spaces between design, fiction, and futures. Described by the BBC as ‘the man designing our futures’, his visionary films and speculative worlds are both extraordinary images of tomorrow and urgent examinations of the environmental questions facing us today. As a world-builder, he visualises the cities, spaces, and props...
2025-01-2926 min
FUTURES PodcastDecoding Animal Communication w/ Jane Lawton | Dubai Future Forum 2024Earth Species Project’s Jane Lawton shares her insights on how artificial intelligence is used to decode animal communication, how new technology challenges human-centric views of intelligence, and how the ‘voices’ of other species can inform conservation efforts and influence rights-for-nature debates. Jane Lawton has over 30 years of international experience working with leading organisations focused on sustainable development and nature conservation. Throughout her career, she has explored various pathways to solve the complex puzzle of living sustainably on Earth. She has held senior roles in Asia, Europe, and North America, working with organisations such as Forum for the Fu...
2025-01-2222 min
FUTURES PodcastMerging Technology & Nature w/ Koert van Mensvoort | Dubai Future Forum 2024Philosopher Koert van Mensvoort shares his insights into humanity’s ever-evolving relationship with nature, how integrating technology and biology can support ecology, and the possibility of becoming an interplanetary species. Koert van Mensvoort is an artist and philosopher best known for his work on the philosophical concept of Next Nature, which revolves around the idea that our technological environment has become so complex, omnipresent, and autonomous that it is best perceived as a nature of its own. He is the Director of the Next Nature Network. Koert aims to better understand our co-evolutionary relationship with technology and to...
2025-01-2028 min
FUTURES PodcastIntergenerational Futures Thinking w/ Adam El Rafey | Dubai Future Forum 2024Young Change Advocate Adam El Rafey shares his thoughts on why ability, not age, should determine opportunity, how to reimagine education towards problem-based learning, and how the adaptability of the younger generation will prepare them for an increasingly uncertain future. Adam El Rafey is a 14-year-old change advocate, public speaker, and innovator. He is a learning enthusiast passionate about urban planning and transport, reforming education, breaking down barriers, and inspiring others to follow their curiosities and find their voices at any age. He is the youngest university student in the UAE at the University of Wollongong in...
2025-01-1518 min
FUTURES PodcastIntelligence Augmentation w/ Prof. Pattie Maes | Dubai Future Forum 2024MIT Media Lab’s Prof. Pattie Maes shares her insights on using technology to enhance human potential and agency, developing wearable systems to support cognition and learning, and designing ethical human-centred artificial intelligence. Prof. Pattie Maes is the Germeshausen Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the MIT Media Lab. With a background in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction, her research focuses on human augmentation and how wearable, immersive, and brain-computer systems may assist people with memory, decision-making, and other functions. Netguru selected her for "Hidden Heroes: The People Who Shaped Technology"; Time Magazine included several of he...
2025-01-1326 min
FUTURES PodcastDreaming the Future w/ Pierre-Christophe Gam | Dubai Future Forum 2024Conceptual Artist Pierre-Christophe Gam shares his thoughts on the transformative power of imagination to shape reality, the potential of the African continent to become a global leader, and how to dream futures that reflect our individual aspirations and collective desires. Pierre-Christophe Gam is a French-born conceptual artist whose contemporary multimedia installations investigate the future through myths, technology, and dreams. Trained as an interior architect at ENSAD in Paris and CSM in London, he founded TOGUNA WORLD, a digital-native research laboratory that merges art, design, and foresight to decolonise conversations about the future and amplify diverse voices from...
2025-01-0833 min
FUTURES PodcastDesigning Brain-Computer Interfaces w/ Conor RussomannoFounder & CEO of OpenBCI Conor Russomanno shares his thoughts on what neurotechnology can teach us about being human, the ethical challenges of designing devices to measure brain activity, and the advantages of open-source brain-computer interfaces. Conor Russomanno is the founder and CEO of OpenBCI, a company working to build ethical brain-computer interfaces. He became fascinated with the relationship between the human brain and mind after suffering concussions playing college football and rugby. While pursuing an MFA in Design & Technology at Parsons School of Design, he spent two years creating DIY brain-sensing headsets and neuro-interactive games, animations and...
2024-07-1529 min
FUTURES PodcastWhy Tech Needs Feminism w/ Dr. Eleanor Drage & Dr. Kerry McInerneySenior Research Fellows Dr. Eleanor Drage and Dr. Kerry McInerney share their insights on how artificial intelligence will impact society, using a feminist lens to rethink innovation and the importance of language in shaping our understanding of ‘good’ technology. Dr Eleanor Drage is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge Centre for the Future of Intelligence. She teaches AI Professionals about AI ethics at Cambridge and presents widely on the topic. She specialises in using feminist ideas to make AI better and safer for everyone. She is currently building the world's first free and open acce...
2024-06-1050 min
FUTURES PodcastA Right to Cognitive Liberty w/ Prof. Nita FarahanyLegal scholar Nita Farahany shares her insights into protecting our privacy through the right to cognitive liberty, how neuro-technology can enhance our understanding of mental health, and why the public should demand self-access to their brain data. Nita Farahany is Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke Law School, Director of Science & Society, and Faculty Chair of the MA in Bioethics & Society Policy. Since 2010, she has served on Obama’s Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Her scholarship focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications of biosciences and emerging technologies, particularly those related to neuroscience an...
2024-05-2726 min
FUTURES PodcastHuman Rights & Robot Wrongs w/ Dr. Susie Alegre Human rights lawyer Dr. Susie Alegre shares her insights into the threat artificial intelligence poses to human creativity, the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in safeguarding freedom of thought, and applying existing laws to regulate the development and deployment of emerging technologies. Dr. Susie Alegre is a leading international human rights lawyer and Associate at Garden Court Chambers. She has been a legal pioneer in digital human rights, in particular the impact of artificial intelligence on the human rights of freedom of thought and opinion. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at...
2024-05-2231 min
FUTURES PodcastReclaiming Tech w/ Jeremy Gilbert, Alex Williams & Alison WinchCultural & Political Theorists Jeremy Gilbert, Alex Williams & Alison Winch share their insights on the societal impacts of technological innovation, the hegemonic power of the Silicon Valley tech billionaires, and re-engineering digital platforms for democratic purposes. Jeremy Gilbert is Professor of Cultural & Political Theory at the University of East London. He is the author of Common Ground: Democracy and Collectivity in an Age of Individualism, Anticapitalism and Culture: Radical Theory and Popular Politics and Twenty-First Century Socialism. He writes regularly in the British press, is the current editor of the journal New Formations, and hosts three regular podcasts: #AC...
2024-04-2948 min
FUTURES PodcastEngineering a Better Future w/ Dr. Shini SomaraMechanical Engineer Shini Somara shares her thoughts on why we need impactful storytelling in science communication, how diversity drives innovation in STEM, and why imagination is key to understanding new technologies. Dr. Shini Somara is a Mechanical Engineer specialising in Computational Fluid Dynamics and an award-winning media broadcaster. She deep dives into all topics on science, technology and innovation to deliver easily accessible and relatable pearls of wisdom for all ages and abilities. Shini speaks to audiences on TV, radio, XR/VR and live events. She has published 7 young persons STEM books and runs a podcast for...
2024-04-0833 min
FUTURES PodcastBlockchain Radicals w/ Joshua DávilaBlockchain Socialist Joshua Dávila shares his insights on using blockchain technology to challenge capitalism, why we should take a techno-probabalistic approach to crypto, and how to build a more equitable and decentralised world. Joshua Dávila has been working in the blockchain space for the past five years in Europe and has been anonymously moonlighting as the one behind The Blockchain Socialist blog and podcast. He is also the co-director of the upcoming documentary Crypto Futures which explores the alternative economic imaginaries of the crypto ecosystem that the mainstream media doesn’t cover. This episode...
2024-04-0241 min
FUTURES PodcastProtopian Stories for Better Tomorrows w/ Ari WallachFuturist Ari Wallach shares his insights into why we need ethical long-term visions that prioritise humanity, the importance of transgenerational empathy, and how to co-construct inclusive stories that imagine better tomorrows. Ari Wallach is a futurist and social systems strategist. He is the founder and Executive Director of Longpath Labs, an initiative focused on bringing long-term thinking and coordinated behavior to the individual, organizational, and societal realms in order to ensure humanity flourishes on an ecologically thriving planet Earth for centuries to come. Ari is the author of Longpath: Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs by...
2024-03-111h 21
FUTURES PodcastEaten by the Internet w/ Dr. Corinne Cath & Dr. Fieke JansenResearchers Dr. Corinne Cath & Dr. Fieke Jansen share their insights into critical approaches to internet infrastructure, the environmental costs of data centres, and how to reimagine our relationship with digital technologies to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future. Dr. Corinne Cath is a postdoc at the University of Delft, working with Dr. Seda Gürses and Prof Linnet Taylor. She is also a research affiliate at the Minderoo Centre at the University of Cambridge. Corinne is a cultural anthropologist who studies the politics of Internet infrastructure and cloud computing. Previously, Corinne was Vice President of Research at the...
2024-03-0451 min
FUTURES PodcastSpace Settlements on Mars w/ Kelly & Zach WeinersmithAuthors Kelly Weinersmith & Zach Weinersmith share their insights into the challenge of building settlements on Mars, how extended periods in extra-terrestrial environments would impact our body and mind, and how international space law needs to be updated if we are to become a multi-planetary species. Dr. Kelly Weinersmith received her PhD in Ecology at the University of California Davis, and is an adjunct faculty member in the BioSciences Department at Rice University. Kelly studies parasites that manipulate the behavior of their hosts, and her research has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, and Nature...
2024-02-261h 00
FUTURES PodcastMathematics as Science Fiction w/ Prof. Ian StewartMathematician Prof. Ian Stewart shares his strategies for explaining abstract mathematical concepts to the public, the role imagination can play in education, and how science fiction can assist in solving the world’s most complex mysteries. Professor Ian Stewart is a British mathematician who majored in mathematics at the University of Cambridge and is an emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick. With more than 200 papers and 20 books on mathematics under his name, Professor Stewart has done much to popularise mathematics, talking about the principles and depth of mathematics within various academic fields such as li...
2024-02-191h 37
FUTURES PodcastHuman Extinction w/ Dr. Émile P. Torres & Prof. Steve FullerPhilosopher Dr. Émile P. Torres & sociologist Prof. Steve Fuller share their thoughts on the history of human extinction, how apocalyptic narratives inform culture, and what it means to live in the end times. Émile P. Torres is a philosopher whose research focuses on existential threats to civilization and humanity. They have published widely in the popular press and scholarly journals, with articles appearing in the Washington Post, Aeon, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Metaphilosophy, Inquiry, Erkenntnis, and Futures. Prof. Steve Fuller is Auguste Comte Professor of Social Epistemology at the University of Warwick, UK. Originally traine...
2024-01-291h 31
FUTURES PodcastHow Human Biology Shapes Civilisation w/ Prof. Lewis DartnellAstrobiologist Prof. Lewis Dartnell shares his insights into how biology has shaped civilisation, the challenges of living on Mars, and why cooperation is our human superpower. GUEST BIO Lewis Dartnell is a science researcher, and writer and holds a Professorship at the University of Westminster. His research is in the field of astrobiology and the search for bacterial life beyond the Earth. Lewis explores how microbial life, and signs of its past existence, might survive the bombardment of cosmic radiation on the surface of Mars, and what are the best ways to try and detect it...
2024-01-0846 min
FUTURES PodcastThe Long View w/ Richard FisherJournalist Richard Fisher shares his thoughts on the importance of taking a long view of the future, why short-termism is the greatest threat to civilisation, and how metaphors are key to our comprehension of time. Richard Fisher is a Senior Journalist with BBC Global News in London, where he writes and commissions for BBC Future, the BBC's international-facing science, technology and health features site. He was recently a 2019-20 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has held various roles at the BBC, including leading the BBC.com Features teams as a managing...
2023-10-1140 min
FUTURES PodcastOur Superhuman Future w/ Elise Bohan, Prof. Steve Fuller & Anders SandbergTranshumanists Elise Bohan, Prof. Steve Fuller and Anders Sandberg share their thoughts on the future of humanity, the role artificial intelligence will play in society, and the radical ways advanced technology may redefine what it means to be human. Recorded in front of a live audience at Kings Place, London on 16 February 2023. Elise Bohan is a Senior Research Scholar at the University of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute (FHI). She holds a PhD in evolutionary macrohistory, wrote the world’s first book-length history of transhumanism as a doctoral student, and recently launched her debut book...
2023-07-311h 33
FUTURES PodcastBioethics of Human & Animal Enhancement w/ Dr. Sarah ChanBioethicist Dr. Sarah Chan shares her thoughts on the ethics of human genome editing, the potential of developing a social model of enhancement, and the possibility of using biotechnology to improve the cognitive abilities of animals. Sarah Chan is a Chancellor’s Fellow working in interdisciplinary bioethics at the Usher Institute for Population Health Sciences and Informatics, and Co-Director of the Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and Law, University of Edinburgh. Previously, from 2005 to 2015, she was a Research Fellow in Bioethics at the University of Manchester, first at the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy and fr...
2023-05-011h 00
FUTURES PodcastRobot Rights & Alien Intelligences w/ David J. GunkelMedia scholar David J. Gunkel shares his thoughts on the philosophical case for the rights of robots, the challenge artificial intelligence presents to our existing moral and legal systems, and how tools like ChatGTP force us to confront our human exceptionalism. David J. Gunkel is Presidential Research, Scholarship, and Artistry Professor in the Department of Communication at Northern Illinois University. He is the author of Robot Rights, Of Remixology: Ethics and Aesthetics after Remix, and The Machine Question: Critical Perspectives on AI, Robots, and Ethics. Find out more: futurespodcast.net FOLLOW T...
2023-04-241h 15
FUTURES PodcastVirtual Reality is Genuine Reality w/ David ChalmersPhilosopher David Chalmers shares his thoughts on how virtual worlds are challenging our understanding of reality, the possibility that could be living in a simulation, and what techno-philosophy can teach us about the nature of consciousness. David J. Chalmers is University Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at New York University. His previous books include The Conscious Mind and Constructing the World. He has given the John Locke lectures and has been awarded the Jean Nicod Prize. He is known for formulating the 'hard problem' of consciousness, which inspired Tom...
2022-02-281h 08
FUTURES PodcastArtificial Intelligence Will Transform Everything w/ Martin FordFuturist Martin Ford shares his thoughts on why we should treat artificial intelligence like a utility, the impact a robot revolution will have on the economy, and how machines may enhance our creativity by encouraging new forms of innovation. Martin Ford is a futurist and the author of four books, including Rule of the Robots: How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Everything (2021), the New York Times Bestselling Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future (winner of the 2015 Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award and translated into more than 20 languages), Architects o...
2022-02-141h 01
FUTURES PodcastGod in the Machine w/ Dr. Beth SinglerAnthropologist Dr. Beth Singler shares her thoughts on the misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence, the dangers of treating humans like machines, and whether virtual reality could provide us with quasi-religious experiences. Dr Beth Singler is the Junior Research Fellow in Artificial Intelligence at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, where she is exploring the social, ethical, philosophical and religious implications of AI. As an associate fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence she is collaborating on the AI Narratives and Global AI Narratives projects, as well as co-organising a series of Faith and AI workshops as...
2022-01-311h 10
FUTURES PodcastAncestors & Ancient DNA w/ Prof. Alice RobertsBiological anthropologist Prof. Alice Roberts shares her insights on how sequencing ancient DNA can provide new evidence to help us understand our ancestors, what the latest archaeological discoveries reveal about the origins of homo sapiens, and how an appreciation of deep history can help us navigate the future. Professor Alice Roberts is a biological anthropologist, author and broadcaster. She’s interested in the evolution, structure and function of humans, and our place in the wider environment. Having originally studied and practiced medicine, she then became a university lecturer, focusing on biological, evolutionary anthropology. She is passionate about pu...
2022-01-1053 min
FUTURES PodcastA New Science of Consciousness w/ Anil SethNeuroscientist Anil Seth shares his thoughts on the role of neuroscience in explaining human consciousness, why our perception of reality might be a controlled hallucination, and how psychedelics are challenging our understanding of the mind. Anil Seth is a Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, where he is also the Co-Director of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science. Anil is also a Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow, Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Program on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness, and Co-Director of the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme: From Sensation and...
2022-01-051h 16
FUTURES PodcastEvolution and the Challenges of Modern Life w/ Bret Weinstein & Heather HeyingEvolutionary biologists Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying share their thoughts on what happens when human evolution collides with an increasingly ‘hyper-novel’ modern world, how a greater understanding of biology can help us develop technologies that benefit humanity, and how the ability to adapt is our species’ best tool for creating a sustainable and abundant future. Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein are evolutionary biologists who have been invited to address the US Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education, and have spoken before audiences across the globe. They both earned PhDs in Biology from the University of Mic...
2021-12-081h 13
FUTURES PodcastThe Neobiological Revolution w/ Jane MetcalfeFounder of NEO.LIFE Jane Metcalfe shares her thoughts on the possibilities offered by the neobiological revolution, how digital technology is changing how we understand and engineer biology, and the important role bio-artists play in helping to navigate the ethical implications of new innovations. Jane Metcalfe is an entrepreneur, publisher, speaker, advisor, manager, and investor. In 2017, she founded NEO.LIFE, a media and events company exploring the radical changes taking place in humans as we harness the tools of engineering and computer science to alter our own biology. Her new book, Neo.Life: 25 Visions for the Future...
2021-11-3054 min
FUTURES PodcastFrontiers of Human Knowledge w/ Michael BhaskarAuthor Michael Bhaskar shares his thoughts on how the history of humanity is characterised by big ideas, why the perceived stagnation of economic growth and technological progress may mark the end of breakthrough innovation, and what new tools might help us to develop shocking, sensational or paradigm shifting new ways to see the world. Michael Bhaskar is a writer, publisher, researcher and entrepreneur. He is Co-Founder of Canelo, a new kind of publishing company. Between 2017 and 2019 he was a consultant Writer in Residence at DeepMind, the world’s leading AI research lab. He has written and talked ex...
2021-11-171h 15
FUTURES PodcastPathways to a Flourishing Future w/ Jeremy LentAuthor Jeremy Lent shares his insights into the importance of developing alternatives to the modern western worldview, how recognising our deep interconnectedness to all life could lead towards a new ecological civilisation, and how integrating science and traditional wisdom might help us avoid the global crises threatening humanity. Jeremy Lent is the award-winning author of The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity's Search for Meaning. A former internet company CEO, he is founder of the non-profit Liology Institute dedicated to fostering an integrated, life-affirming worldview. He lives in Berkeley, California. Find out more: futurespodcast...
2021-11-081h 23
FUTURES PodcastMysteries of Consciousness w/ Philip GoffPhilosopher Philip Goff shares his thoughts on a radical new understanding of consciousness called panpsychism, the relationship between consciousness and the material world, and the implications of this new theory on the modern scientific method. Philip Goff is a philosopher who teaches at Durham University. He is the author of Consciousness and Fundamental Reality and has published more than forty academic papers. His writing has also appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian and The Times Literary Supplement, and he has guest-edited an issue of Philosophy Now. He lives in Durham, England. Find...
2021-11-011h 12
FUTURES PodcastMysteries of Consciousness w/ Philip GoffPhilosopher Philip Goff shares his thoughts on a radical new understanding of consciousness called panpsychism, the relationship between consciousness and the material world, and the implications of this new theory on the modern scientific method. Philip Goff is a philosopher who teaches at Durham University. He is the author of Consciousness and Fundamental Reality and has published more than forty academic papers. His writing has also appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian and The Times Literary Supplement, and he has guest-edited an issue of Philosophy Now. He lives in Durham, England. Find...
2021-11-011h 12
FUTURES PodcastBeing Interested w/ Robin InceComedian Robin Ince shares his thoughts on the fascinating role science plays in our everyday lives, how we can avoid becoming too dogmatic about our belief systems, and the incredible importance of being interested. Robin Ince is co-presenter of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, The Infinite Monkey Cage. He has won the Time Out Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Live show, and has won three Chortle Awards. He has toured his stand up across the world from Oslo to LA to Sydney, both solo and with his radio double...
2021-10-251h 05
FUTURES PodcastBeing Interested w/ Robin InceComedian Robin Ince shares his thoughts on the fascinating role science plays in our everyday lives, how we can avoid becoming too dogmatic about our belief systems, and the incredible importance of being interested. Robin Ince is co-presenter of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, The Infinite Monkey Cage. He has won the Time Out Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Live show, and has won three Chortle Awards. He has toured his stand up across the world from Oslo to LA to Sydney, both solo and with his radio double...
2021-10-251h 05
FUTURES PodcastA World Without Humans w/ Patricia MacCormackPhilosopher Patricia MacCormack shares her insights into how the ‘ahuman’ might provide a solution to the growing ecological crisis, why self-extinction should be considered a compassionate act, and why antinatalism, abolitionist veganism, and occultism might be our best strategies for combatting human exceptionalism. Patricia MacCormack is Professor of Continental Philosophy at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge. She has published extensively on feminism, the philosophies of Deleuze, Guattari, Lyotard, Serres and Bataille, posthuman theory, teratology, animal rights, European horror films, chaos magick, Lovecraft and other trajectories of alterity. She is the author of Cinesexuality (2008), Posthuman Ethics (2012), The Ahuman Manifesto: Activism...
2021-10-051h 14
FUTURES PodcastA World Without Humans w/ Patricia MacCormackPhilosopher Patricia MacCormack shares her insights into how the ‘ahuman’ might provide a solution to the growing ecological crisis, why self-extinction should be considered a compassionate act, and why antinatalism, abolitionist veganism, and occultism might be our best strategies for combatting human exceptionalism. Patricia MacCormack is Professor of Continental Philosophy at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge. She has published extensively on feminism, the philosophies of Deleuze, Guattari, Lyotard, Serres and Bataille, posthuman theory, teratology, animal rights, European horror films, chaos magick, Lovecraft and other trajectories of alterity. She is the author of Cinesexuality (2008), Posthuman Ethics (2012), The Ahuman Manifesto: Activism...
2021-10-051h 14
FUTURES PodcastRobotic ‘Third Thumb’ Augmentation w/ Dani Clode & Paulina KielibaDesigner Dani Clode and researcher Paulina Kieliba share their insights into designing a robotic Third Thumb, how the human brain supports and integrates augmentation devices, and how we can begin to use advanced prosthetics to extend our abilities in new and unexpected ways. Dani Clode is an upper-limb prosthetic, augmentation and product designer, the founder of Dani Clode Design and a Senior Research Technician at the Plasticity Lab. Dani has a multi-disciplinary approach to her work that investigates the future architecture and perception of our bodies. Incorporating new materials and design processes, the mechanics of the human...
2021-09-131h 05
FUTURES PodcastMood-Altering Wearables w/ Dr. Dave RabinNeuroscientist Dr. Dave Rabin shares his insights on how to hack our biology to cope with the demands of modern life, the importance of heart-rate-variability (HRV) in managing our stress response, and the role biofeedback will play in the design of the next-generation of wearable devices. Dr. David Rabin is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, and inventor who studies resilience and the impact of chronic stress in our day-to-day lives. Dr. Rabin and his extraordinary care team at the Apollo Clinic collaborates with clients, empowering them to take control of their mental and physical health by tapping into...
2021-08-161h 17
FUTURES PodcastMood-Altering Wearables w/ Dr. Dave RabinNeuroscientist Dr. Dave Rabin shares his insights on how to hack our biology to cope with the demands of modern life, the importance of heart-rate-variability (HRV) in managing our stress response, and the role biofeedback will play in the design of the next-generation of wearable devices. Dr. David Rabin is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, and inventor who studies resilience and the impact of chronic stress in our day-to-day lives. Dr. Rabin and his extraordinary care team at the Apollo Clinic collaborates with clients, empowering them to take control of their mental and physical health by tapping into...
2021-08-161h 17
FUTURES PodcastGene Therapies to End Ageing w/ Liz ParrishBioViva CEO Liz Parrish shares her insights into developing gene therapies to end ageing, the ethics of taking a proactionary approach to experimental treatments, and the growing importance of preventative healthcare. Elizabeth is the Founder and CEO of BioViva, is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, innovator, author, and a leading voice for genetic cures. As a strong proponent of progress and education for the advancement of regenerative medicine modalities, she serves as a motivational speaker to the public at large for the life sciences. She is actively involved in international educational media outreach. BioViva is currently working on the...
2021-07-2856 min
FUTURES PodcastGene Therapies to End Ageing w/ Liz ParrishBioViva CEO Liz Parrish shares her insights into developing gene therapies to end ageing, the ethics of taking a proactionary approach to experimental treatments, and the growing importance of preventative healthcare. Elizabeth is the Founder and CEO of BioViva, is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, innovator, author, and a leading voice for genetic cures. As a strong proponent of progress and education for the advancement of regenerative medicine modalities, she serves as a motivational speaker to the public at large for the life sciences. She is actively involved in international educational media outreach. BioViva is currently working on the...
2021-07-2856 min
FUTURES PodcastCode, Clones & Creativity w/ Taryn SouthernArtist Taryn Southern shares her insights into how collaborating with robots can unlock new creative possibilities, the experimental processes behind developing your own artificially intelligent clone, and the tools we can use to preserve our digital legacy and animate our ancestors. Taryn Southern is an award-winning artist, storyteller and strategist whose work explores the intersection of emerging technology and human potential. Some of her projects include: I AM HUMAN, a 2019-Tribeca Film Festival documentary exploring the future of the brain, the world’s first AI-composed pop album to hit the radio charts, an award-winning Google VR series, an...
2021-06-151h 11
FUTURES PodcastCode, Clones & Creativity w/ Taryn SouthernArtist Taryn Southern shares her insights into how collaborating with robots can unlock new creative possibilities, the experimental processes behind developing your own artificially intelligent clone, and the tools we can use to preserve our digital legacy and animate our ancestors. Taryn Southern is an award-winning artist, storyteller and strategist whose work explores the intersection of emerging technology and human potential. Some of her projects include: I AM HUMAN, a 2019-Tribeca Film Festival documentary exploring the future of the brain, the world’s first AI-composed pop album to hit the radio charts, an award-winning Google VR series, an...
2021-06-151h 11
FUTURES PodcastExploring the Deep Sea w/ Helen ScalesMarine biologist Helen Scales shares her insights into the vital role that the ocean plays in sustaining life on earth, the innovative new technologies humans are using to explore the seabed, and how a rich diversity of deep sea creatures might hold the key to new scientific advances. Helen Scales is a marine biologist, diver, surfer, broadcaster and writer who's spent hundreds of hours underwater watching fish. A familiar voice for the oceans, she's pondered the mysteries of the deep sea with Robin Ince and Brian Cox on BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and donated...
2021-05-311h 06
FUTURES PodcastExploring the Deep Sea w/ Helen ScalesMarine biologist Helen Scales shares her insights into the vital role that the ocean plays in sustaining life on earth, the innovative new technologies humans are using to explore the seabed, and how a rich diversity of deep sea creatures might hold the key to new scientific advances. Helen Scales is a marine biologist, diver, surfer, broadcaster and writer who's spent hundreds of hours underwater watching fish. A familiar voice for the oceans, she's pondered the mysteries of the deep sea with Robin Ince and Brian Cox on BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and donated...
2021-05-311h 06
FUTURES PodcastGenetically Engineering Humans for Space w/ Christopher MasonGeneticist Christopher Mason shares his insights into genetically modifying humans to mitigate against the risks of space exploration, the methods for sustaining life on Mars, and how becoming a multi-planetary species will help humanity avoid its own extinction. Christopher E. Mason is a geneticist and computational biologist who has been a Principal Investigator and Co-investigator of seven NASA missions and projects. He is Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, with affiliate appointments at the Meyer Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Information Society Project (ISP) at Yale Law School, and the Consortium for Space Genetics at...
2021-05-171h 02
FUTURES PodcastGenetically Engineering Humans for Space w/ Christopher MasonGeneticist Christopher Mason shares his insights into genetically modifying humans to mitigate against the risks of space exploration, the methods for sustaining life on Mars, and how becoming a multi-planetary species will help humanity avoid its own extinction. Christopher E. Mason is a geneticist and computational biologist who has been a Principal Investigator and Co-investigator of seven NASA missions and projects. He is Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, with affiliate appointments at the Meyer Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Information Society Project (ISP) at Yale Law School, and the Consortium for Space Genetics at...
2021-05-171h 02
FUTURES PodcastVirtually You w/ Tracey FollowsFuturist Tracey Follows shares her insights into how digital technology is transforming identity, how new ways to capture biometric data will require us to rethink our relationship with governments and corporations, and what AI-enabled virtual persons can teach us about what it means to be human. Tracey Follows is a professional futurist identifying the future trends that will shape our world. Her clients have included Telefonica, Google, Sky, Farfetch, Conde Nast and Virgin. She has spoken at UN HQ in New York, delivered her TedX at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and closed at events such as...
2021-05-101h 18
FUTURES PodcastVirtually You w/ Tracey FollowsFuturist Tracey Follows shares her insights into how digital technology is transforming identity, how new ways to capture biometric data will require us to rethink our relationship with governments and corporations, and what AI-enabled virtual persons can teach us about what it means to be human. Tracey Follows is a professional futurist identifying the future trends that will shape our world. Her clients have included Telefonica, Google, Sky, Farfetch, Conde Nast and Virgin. She has spoken at UN HQ in New York, delivered her TedX at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and closed at events such as...
2021-05-101h 18
FUTURES PodcastHow Your Brain Chemicals Influence Your Life w/ Ginny SmithScience writer Ginny Smith shares her insights into the latest ways to scientifically understand the human brain, the role of hormones and neurotransmitters in memory, sleep, depression and addiction, and the methods we can use to improve our cognition. Ginny Smith studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, specialising in Psychology and Neuroscience, and now spreads her love of her subject as a science writer and presenter. Ginny performs a range of science shows about the brain at science festivals and teaches at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education. She is a p...
2021-04-261h 17
FUTURES PodcastHow Your Brain Chemicals Influence Your Life w/ Ginny SmithScience writer Ginny Smith shares her insights into the latest ways to scientifically understand the human brain, the role of hormones and neurotransmitters in memory, sleep, depression and addiction, and the methods we can use to improve our cognition. Ginny Smith studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, specialising in Psychology and Neuroscience, and now spreads her love of her subject as a science writer and presenter. Ginny performs a range of science shows about the brain at science festivals and teaches at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education. She is a p...
2021-04-261h 17
FUTURES PodcastWhen Sci-Fi Becomes Real Life w/ Viktoria ModestaBionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta shares her insights into developing artworks that showcase a posthuman aesthetic, the challenge of constructing and managing online digital-identities, and the role collaboration plays in prototyping future possibilities. Viktoria Modesta is a bionic pop artist, creative director and futurist. Describing her work as post-human and post-disability, she bridges performance art, music and fashion with technology, science and medicine. She first gave us a fresh and glamorous perspective of disability in a cultural content when she performed as the Snow Queen during the closing ceremony of Paralympics 2012 wearing a diamond encrusted prosthetic.
2021-04-121h 14
FUTURES PodcastWhen Sci-Fi Becomes Real Life w/ Viktoria ModestaBionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta shares her insights into developing artworks that showcase a posthuman aesthetic, the challenge of constructing and managing online digital-identities, and the role collaboration plays in prototyping future possibilities. Viktoria Modesta is a bionic pop artist, creative director and futurist. Describing her work as post-human and post-disability, she bridges performance art, music and fashion with technology, science and medicine. She first gave us a fresh and glamorous perspective of disability in a cultural content when she performed as the Snow Queen during the closing ceremony of Paralympics 2012 wearing a diamond encrusted prosthetic.
2021-04-121h 14
FUTURES PodcastHumanistic Artificial Intelligence w/ Tom GruberProduct designer Tom Gruber shares his insights into creating intelligent interfaces, the ethical use of technology, and how humanistic AI can enable learning, knowledge sharing, and increased productivity. Tom Gruber is a technologist, designer, and entrepreneur, using technology to augment human intelligence. He was cofounder and head of design for Siri, which created the first virtual assistant for everyone. Siri is included on every new iPhone and iPad, and used every day by millions around the world. He led the design of RealTravel, a popular Web 2.0 site that harvests the collective knowledge of travelers around the world...
2021-03-311h 16
FUTURES PodcastHumanistic Artificial Intelligence w/ Tom GruberProduct designer Tom Gruber shares his insights into creating intelligent interfaces, the ethical use of technology, and how humanistic AI can enable learning, knowledge sharing, and increased productivity. Tom Gruber is a technologist, designer, and entrepreneur, using technology to augment human intelligence. He was cofounder and head of design for Siri, which created the first virtual assistant for everyone. Siri is included on every new iPhone and iPad, and used every day by millions around the world. He led the design of RealTravel, a popular Web 2.0 site that harvests the collective knowledge of travelers around the world...
2021-03-311h 16
FUTURES PodcastFrom Pirate to Hacktivist w/ Peter SundeCo-founder of The Pirate Bay Peter Sunde shares his insights into the cultural importance of copying, why pranking and trolling is an effective form of online activism, and why civil disobedience might be our best tool to bring about a free and open internet. Peter Sunde, alias brokep, is a politician, computer expert, and spokesperson with Norwegian and Finnish ancestry. He is best known for being a co-founder and ex-spokesperson of The Pirate Bay, a BitTorrent search engine. He is an equality advocate and has a popular blog where he expresses, among other issues, concerns over the...
2021-03-081h 20
FUTURES PodcastFrom Pirate to Hacktivist w/ Peter SundeCo-founder of The Pirate Bay Peter Sunde shares his insights into the cultural importance of copying, why pranking and trolling is an effective form of online activism, and why civil disobedience might be our best tool to bring about a free and open internet. Peter Sunde, alias brokep, is a politician, computer expert, and spokesperson with Norwegian and Finnish ancestry. He is best known for being a co-founder and ex-spokesperson of The Pirate Bay, a BitTorrent search engine. He is an equality advocate and has a popular blog where he expresses, among other issues, concerns over the...
2021-03-081h 20
FUTURES PodcastEsports w/ Prof. Andy MiahProfessor Andy Miah shares his insights into why competitive video gaming has experienced a rapid growth in popularity, how digital technology is changing the way traditional sports are played, and how gamification looks set to transform the world of health and fitness. Professor Andy Miah, PhD is Chair of Science Communication & Future Media, at the University of Salford, where he also leads The #SciComm Space and Co-Chairs the University’s Esports Strategy. He was previously Chair of Ethics and Emerging Technologies at the University of the West of Scotland. He is a Fellow of the Institute for Et...
2021-03-011h 14
FUTURES PodcastEsports w/ Prof. Andy MiahProfessor Andy Miah shares his insights into why competitive video gaming has experienced a rapid growth in popularity, how digital technology is changing the way traditional sports are played, and how gamification looks set to transform the world of health and fitness. Professor Andy Miah, PhD is Chair of Science Communication & Future Media, at the University of Salford, where he also leads The #SciComm Space and Co-Chairs the University’s Esports Strategy. He was previously Chair of Ethics and Emerging Technologies at the University of the West of Scotland. He is a Fellow of the Institute for Et...
2021-03-011h 14
FUTURES PodcastHumanity’s Uncertain Future w/ Thomas MoynihanHistorian Thomas Moynihan shares the complex history of how humanity began to contemplate its capacity to bring about its own extinction, why the study of existential risk exposes a prevailing pessimism about the future, and what the search for extraterrestrial intelligence reveals about our unique place in the universe. Thomas Moynihan is a writer from the UK, currently working with Oxford University's Future of Humanity Institute. His work explores how our knowledge of the threats and promises of the future has developed throughout the past, revisiting the ways people have thought about both the failure and the...
2021-02-221h 32
FUTURES PodcastNew Laws of Robotics w/ Frank PasqualeProfessor of Law Frank Pasquale shares his insights on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can capitalise on human strengths and take advantage of human limits; what automation means for healthcare, education and warfare; and how the robotics regulations we implement today might have a dramatic effect on the future of work. Frank Pasquale is Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School and author of The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information. His work has appeared in the Atlantic, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Guardian, and other outlets. Find out more...
2021-02-1552 min
FUTURES PodcastNostalgic Feedback Loops w/ Grafton TannerWriter Grafton Tanner shares his insights into how nostalgia is leveraged by big tech and corporations, how fictional universe-building has impacted the way we think about lived-reality, and how our recent obsession with the past might stop us from imagining a better future. Grafton Tanner is a writer and musician from Athens, Georgia. He is the author of Babbling Corpse: Vaporwave and the Commodification of Ghosts, and his work has appeared in The Nation, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and other locations. He writes and performs with his band Superpuppet. Find out more: futurespodcast...
2021-02-081h 25
FUTURES PodcastBursting the Reality Bubble w/ Ziya TongScience 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 series, Wired Science, and worked as a correspondent for NOVA scienceNOW. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CRED...
2021-02-0153 min
FUTURES PodcastBecoming Cyborgs w/ Liviu BabitzCyborg 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 artificial intelligence – creating smarter phones, cars, and homes – he decided to make people smarter instead...
2021-01-2553 min
FUTURES PodcastBiological Immortality w/ Dr. Andrew SteeleComputational 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 degree and a DPhil from Oxford University, where he used particle accelerators to understand the inner workings of...
2021-01-181h 24
FUTURES PodcastQuantum Worlds w/ Sean CarrollPhysicist 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 blog cosmicvariance.com, named one of the five top science blogs by 'Nature'. Find out more: futurespodcast.net
2021-01-1153 min
FUTURES PodcastRewiring the Brain w/ David EaglemanNeuroscientist 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 next generation of neuroscience hardware. The author of seven other books, he lives in California. Find out more: futurespodcast.net...
2020-12-171h 24
FUTURES PodcastRobotic Mind Clones w/ Bruce DuncanThe 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 and implementation of the research and educational outreach of the Lifenaut Project and other programs of the Foundation. He has taught co...
2020-12-0949 min
FUTURES PodcastAstronomical Endeavours w/ Kathy SullivanFormer 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 Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA...
2020-12-021h 07
FUTURES PodcastEnsuring Humanity's Survival w/ Lord Martin ReesAstronomer 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. Martin was also one of the first to predict the uneven distribution of matter in...
2020-10-281h 21
FUTURES PodcastDawn of the Transhuman Era w/ Prof. Steve FullerSociologist 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 recent book is Nietzschean Meditations: Untimely Thoughts at the Dawn of Transhuman Era (Schwabe Verlag, 2020). Find out...
2020-09-221h 13
FUTURES PodcastHumankind w/ Rutger BregmanHistorian 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 Prize for his work at The Correspondent. His new book, Humankind, will be published in May 2020. Rutger...
2020-09-141h 23
FUTURES PodcastBirth, Food, Sex & Death w/ Jenny KleemanJournalist 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 News Tonight. She won the One World Media Television Award for her work on Unreported World and was nominated for the Amne...
2020-09-0853 min
FUTURES PodcastThe World According to Physics w/ Jim Al-KhaliliTheoretical 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 received a PhD in nuclear theory in 1989 and has since published widely on physics and the history of...
2020-09-041h 18
FUTURES PodcastCultivating Long Term Thinking w/ Roman KrznaricPublic 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 2020, and has been described by U2’s The Edge as ‘the book our children’s children will thank...
2020-08-131h 27
FUTURES PodcastHow Hype Obscures the Future w/ Gemma MilneScience 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 more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by...
2020-08-111h 15
FUTURES PodcastAbolish Silicon Valley w/ Wendy LiuStart-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 for The Atlantic and CNBC. She lives in San Francisco. Find out mo...
2020-08-031h 18
FUTURES PodcastCoevolution of Humans and Machines w/ Edward A. LeeComputer 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-physical systems. He is the author of Plato and the Nerd (MIT Press) and other books. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS ...
2020-07-221h 08
FUTURES PodcastEvolutionary Mismatch w/ Adam HartBiologist 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, and On the Trail of the American Honeybee. He has also presented Science in Action for the BB...
2020-06-2251 min
FUTURES PodcastOur Future Selves w/ Yancey StricklerKickstarter 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 more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke...
2020-06-171h 14
FUTURES PodcastExplaining Humans w/ Dr. Camilla PangDr. 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 have been heavily influenced by her diagnosis and she is driven by her passion for understanding humans, our behaviours and how we work.
2020-06-1550 min
FUTURES PodcastHacktivism w/ Maureen Webb & Lauri LoveHuman 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 the University of British Columbia. Lauri Love is a British activist and hacker previously wanted by the United...
2020-05-121h 16
FUTURES PodcastMachine Creativity w/ Arthur I. MillerArthur 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 relation between art and science. He is the author of Colliding Worlds: How Cutting-Edge Science is Redefining Contemporary Art and othe...
2020-04-2058 min
FUTURES PodcastCyborg or Virtual Utopia w/ John DanaherAcademic 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, the ethics of human enhancement, the intersection of law and neuroscience, the utility of brai...
2020-03-3059 min
FUTURES PodcastHistory of Transhumanism w/ Max More & Natasha Vita-MoreTranshumanists 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 transhumanist philosophy of extropy, and co-founding Extropy Institute, an organization crucial in building the transhumanist movement since 1990. Since the start of 2011, he has served as President and CEO of the Alcor Life Ex...
2020-02-261h 08
FUTURES PodcastThink Like a Futurist w/ Amy WebbQuantitive 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 500 and Global 1000 companies, government agencies, large nonprofits, universities and startups around the world. Amy was named to the Thinkers50 Radar list...
2020-02-0436 min
FUTURES PodcastiSlavery w/ Jack QiuProfessor 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: http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/en-GB/people/teaching-staff/qiu-jack-l-c CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast ...
2020-01-2044 min
FUTURES PodcastCalm Technology w/ Amber CaseCyborg 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 Designing With Sound. She spent two years as a fellow at MIT’s Center for Civic Media and Harvard’s Berk...
2020-01-0659 min
FUTURES PodcastTrust Shift w/ Rachel BotsmanAuthor 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? (Penguin Portfolio) is set to revolutionise our perception of trust and will transform traditional ideas of banking, media, politics, consumerism, da...
2019-12-1750 min
FUTURES PodcastVirtual Reality Therapy w/ Michael CarthyTherapist 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 Positive Psychology Flooding (Psychology) Fight-or-flight response CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited...
2019-12-0940 min
FUTURES PodcastElectronic Waste w/ Dani PloegerPerformance 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 shoot an iPad with an AK47, and travelled to dump sites in Nigeria to collect electronic waste originating from Europe. ...
2019-12-0941 min
FUTURES PodcastEmoji Delights w/ Carla GannisCarla Gannis discusses emoji, using augmented reality for creativity and the current state of digital art in New York. Carla is an American artist and Industry Professor of Integrated Digital Media at NYU. She identifies as a visual storyteller and with the use of 21st Century representational technologies she narrates through a “digital looking glass” where reflections on power, sexuality, marginalization, and agency emerge. Find out more: futurespodcast.net ON THIS EPISODE Emoji Garden of Earthly Delights Hieronymus Bosch Hito Steyerl MoMA, New York Blippar Mixed Reality (MR) Filter Bubble L. Frank Baum...
2019-12-0951 min
FUTURES PodcastTranshumanism and Risk w/ Prof. Steve FullerProfessor Steve Fuller discusses transhumanism, how scientists should approach risk, and what it means to be human in the 21st Century. Steve is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, his most recent work has been concerned with the future of humanity, or 'Humanity 2.0'. During the interview he discussed the ideas of transhumanism and posthumanism and explained the potential directions in which humanity may move. He also argued that we should embrace technological and medical advances, as well as the risks that we may face in their development. ON THIS EPISODE...
2019-12-0955 min
FUTURES PodcastCybersex w/ Dr. Trudy BarberCybersexpert Dr. Trudy Barber discusses the history of cybersex, the future of teledildonics, and the emerging field of sex robotics. For the past 20 years Trudy has been investigating how people become intimate with technology, and is credited with creating one of the first immersive virtual reality sex environments. She shares her experience of working with people who use technology to explore their sexual identities and explains her thoughts on how technology can enhance sexuality, the perception of self and human relationships. Find out more: futurespodcast.net ON THIS EPISODE Cybersex...
2019-12-0926 min
FUTURES PodcastCyborg Experiments w/ Prof. Kevin WarwickProfessor of Cybernetics Kevin Warwick discusses augmenting human capabilities, the exciting field of robotics, and what it means to be a cyborg. His pioneering research into robots with biological brains and enhancing human physiological functioning with electronic devices has brought the science fiction future into the present. Prof Warwick is no stranger to using himself as a guinea pig for his research. One experiment, which previously had only been tested on chickens, involved him undergoing a two hour operation by a neurosurgeon to implant a ‘brain gate’ system in him, linking his nervous system with a co...
2019-12-0934 min
FUTURES PodcastFUTURES Podcast TrailerOn this show we meet the scientists, technologists, artists and philosophers working to imagine the sorts of developments that might dramatically alter what it means to be human. Some of their predictions will be preferable, others might seem impossible, but none of them are inevitable. Join your host Luke Robert Mason, and explore the multitude of possible tomorrows. --- Produced by Futures Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason Twitter: @FuturesPodcast | #FuturesPodcast Instagram: @FuturesPodcast Facebook: @FuturesPodcast
2019-12-0501 min