FUTURES Podcast

About this podcast

The FUTURES Podcast explores the multitude of possible tomorrows. Meet the scientists, technologists, artists and philosophers working to imagine the sorts of developments that might dramatically alter what it means to be human. Hosted by Luke Robert Mason.

FUTURES Podcast

Episodes

2021
From Pirate to Hacktivist w/ Peter Sunde
Co-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 centralization of power to the European Union. Sunde also participates in the Pirate Party of Finland. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
March 8, 2021
81 min
Esports w/ Prof. Andy Miah
Professor 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 Ethics and Emerging Technologies, USA, Advisory Board Member for the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Advisory Board Member for the British Esports Association, and Commission Member of the Global Esports Federation. Professor Miah’s research examines the intersections of art, ethics, technology and culture and he has published broadly on areas of emerging technologies, particularly related to digital and biotechnological innovations. Current research themes include the use of virtual reality in science, health, and art, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the rise of transhumanism. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
March 1, 2021
75 min
Should Humans Regulate Artificial Intelligence? w/ Frank Pasquale & Steve Fuller
Professor Frank Pasquale (Brooklyn School of Law) and Professor Steve Fuller (University of Warwick) debate whether humans should regulate artificial intelligence, and discuss the appropriate ways to safeguard the development of automation technologies. Pasquale argued for a precautionary approach to the development of AI - one that favours a careful deployment of new laws for their usage. Whereas Fuller argued for a more proactionary approach to technological innovation - one that allows AI to developed unencumbered by the sorts of governance that might limit its scope. This debate was recorded for SingularityNET as part of their Decentralised OS Web Series. This Bonus Episode is not sponsored content. 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. 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 more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
February 24, 2021
77 min
Humanity’s Uncertain Future w/ Thomas Moynihan
Historian 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 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 flourishing of our species within the wider universe. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
February 22, 2021
93 min
New Laws of Robotics w/ Frank Pasquale
Professor 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: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
February 15, 2021
53 min
Nostalgic Feedback Loops w/ Grafton Tanner
Writer 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.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
February 8, 2021
86 min
Bursting the Reality Bubble w/ Ziya Tong
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 series, Wired Science, and worked as a correspondent for NOVA scienceNOW. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
February 1, 2021
54 min
Becoming Cyborgs w/ Liviu Babitz
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 artificial intelligence – creating smarter phones, cars, and homes – he decided to make people smarter instead. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
January 25, 2021
54 min
Biological Immortality w/ Dr. Andrew Steele
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 degree and a DPhil from Oxford University, where he used particle accelerators to understand the inner workings of magnetic and superconducting materials. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
January 18, 2021
85 min
Quantum Worlds w/ Sean Carroll
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 blog cosmicvariance.com, named one of the five top science blogs by 'Nature'. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
January 11, 2021
54 min
2020
Rewiring the Brain w/ David Eagleman
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 next generation of neuroscience hardware. The author of seven other books, he lives in California. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
December 17, 2020
85 min
Robotic Mind Clones w/ Bruce Duncan
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 and implementation of the research and educational outreach of the Lifenaut Project and other programs of the Foundation. He has taught conflict resolution at the University of Vermont and worked at Seeds of Peace, an international peace camp. He is also a filmmaker and has produced several independent films and documentaries. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
December 9, 2020
50 min
Astronomical Endeavours w/ Kathy Sullivan
Former NASA Astronaut Kathy Sullivan shares her insights into what it was like to be part of the NASA 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) in the Obama administration. Most recently, she is the Charles A Lindbergh Chair of Aerospace History at the Smithsonian Institute, and is an inductee in the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
December 2, 2020
68 min
Ensuring Humanity's Survival w/ Lord Martin Rees
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. Martin was also one of the first to predict the uneven distribution of matter in the Universe, and proposed observational tests to determine the clustering of stars and galaxies. Much of his most valuable research has focused on the end of the so-called cosmic dark ages — a period shortly after the Big Bang when the Universe was as yet without light sources. As Astronomer Royal and a Past President of the Royal Society, Martin is a prominent scientific spokesperson and the author of seven books of popular science. After receiving a knighthood in 1992 for his services to science, he was elevated to the title of Baron Rees of Ludlow in 2005. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
October 28, 2020
82 min
Dawn of the Transhuman Era w/ Prof. Steve Fuller
Sociologist Prof. Steve Fullers 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 more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
September 22, 2020
74 min
Humankind w/ Rutger Bregman
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 Prize for his work at The Correspondent. His new book, Humankind, will be published in May 2020. Rutger lives in Holland. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
September 14, 2020
84 min
Birth, Food, Sex & Death w/ Jenny Kleeman
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 News Tonight. She won the One World Media Television Award for her work on Unreported World and was nominated for the Amnesty International Gaby Rado Award. She lives in England. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
September 8, 2020
54 min
The World According to Physics w/ Jim Al-Khalili
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 received a PhD in nuclear theory in 1989 and has since published widely on physics and the history of science. He has written twelve books, including his first novel, between them translated into over twenty-six languages. He is a regular presenter of TV and radio science documentaries and programs and is the recipient of numerous honours and prizes, including the inaugural Stephen Hawking Medal. His latest book, The World According to Physics, is published by Princeton University Press. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
September 4, 2020
79 min
Cultivating Long Term Thinking w/ Roman Krznaric
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 2020, and has been described by U2’s The Edge as ‘the book our children’s children will thank us for reading’. Find out more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
August 13, 2020
88 min
How Hype Obscures the Future w/ Gemma Milne
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 more: futurespodcast.net CREDITS Produced by FUTURES Podcast Recorded, Mixed & Edited by Luke Robert Mason FOLLOW FUTURES PODCAST Twitter: @FUTURESPodcast Instagram: @futurespodcast Facebook: @FUTURESPodcast
August 11, 2020
76 min

FUTURES Podcast

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

FUTURES Podcast

Episodes

From Pirate to Hacktivist w/ Peter Sunde

Esports w/ Prof. Andy Miah

Should Humans Regulate Artificial Intelligence? w/ Frank Pasquale & Steve Fuller

Humanity’s Uncertain Future w/ Thomas Moynihan

New Laws of Robotics w/ Frank Pasquale

Nostalgic Feedback Loops w/ Grafton Tanner

Bursting the Reality Bubble w/ Ziya Tong

Becoming Cyborgs w/ Liviu Babitz

Biological Immortality w/ Dr. Andrew Steele

Quantum Worlds w/ Sean Carroll

Rewiring the Brain w/ David Eagleman

Robotic Mind Clones w/ Bruce Duncan

Astronomical Endeavours w/ Kathy Sullivan

Ensuring Humanity's Survival w/ Lord Martin Rees

Dawn of the Transhuman Era w/ Prof. Steve Fuller

Humankind w/ Rutger Bregman

Birth, Food, Sex & Death w/ Jenny Kleeman

The World According to Physics w/ Jim Al-Khalili

Cultivating Long Term Thinking w/ Roman Krznaric

How Hype Obscures the Future w/ Gemma Milne