Future Tense podcast

#Future Trends #Tech #Society #Tech News #Australia #News #ABC Radio

21:04

Step into the mysterious and visually stunning world of The Electric State as host Francesca Amiker takes you behind the scenes with the creative masterminds who brought Simon Stålenhag’s dystopian vision to life. In this premiere episode, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and producers Angela Russo-Otstot and Chris Castaldi reveal how they transformed a haunting graphic novel into an epic cinematic experience. Watch The Electric State coming to Netflix on March 14th. Check out more from Netflix Podcasts . State Secrets: Inside the Making of The Electric State is produced by Netflix and Treefort Media.…

Future Tense

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A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

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Future Tense

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updated 5 days ago

साझा करें

शृंखला होम•Feed

A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

1063 एपिसोडस

#Future Trends #Tech #Society #Tech News #Australia #News #ABC Radio

All episodes

Future Tense

1
The power and peril of the optimistic mind 28:38

5 days ago28:38

28:38

Human beings have a bias toward optimism, says astrophysicist turned author and editor, Sumit Paul-Choudhury. While we may not always acknowledge it, the power of optimism is what drives our species forward. But beware of the modern craze for "Manifesting" — wishful thinking, no matter how intense, only has impact if it's married to action. Also, why we need to rethink globalisation's bad rap. International relations expert, Inanna Hamati-Ataya, argues there are no pure cultures and globalisation is really the means by which humanity flourishes. Guests Professor Inanna Hamati-Ataya — Chair of Global International Relations, University of Groningen, The Netherlands Sumit Paul-Choudhury — author, editor and Managing Director, Alternity Limited Associate Professor Laura D'Olimpio — School of Education, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom Further information Inanna Hamati-Ataya's article on globalisation Laura D'Olimpio's article on manifesting Sumit Paul-Choudhury's book The Bright Side…

Future Tense

1
AI's "hidden labour" and the move toward a linkless internet 28:37

12 days ago28:37

28:37

Artificial intelligence, it turns out, has a heavy human backend — they're called "data labellers"; they mostly live in developing countries, and there are ethical questions about their pay and work conditions. So, why aren't we talking more about them? Also, Google and other search companies have begun replacing hyperlinks with AI summaries. It's a move seemingly in line with our AI obsessed times, but what will it do to the tapestry of the internet? And will it simply make online information even harder to verify? Guests Dr Zena Assaad — Senior lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Professor Toby Walsh — Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of New South Wales Dr Collin Jennings — writer and academic Further information Collin Jennings' article: A linkless internet…

Future Tense

1
The roots of techno-authoritarianism 28:38

19 days ago28:38

28:38

Does the spirit of the "Futurist" movement live on today in the likes of Elon Musk and America's intrigue of techno-oligarchs? The Italian poet and fantasist Flippo Tommaso Marinetti almost died in a car crash, and out of that experience was born the "Futurist" movement. It went on to inspire the fascism of Benito Mussolini with an energetic emphasis on disruptive technology, conflict and creating an authoritarian future. Guests Annalee Newitz — Journalist and author Dr Jonathan White — Professor of politics, London School of Economics Further information Jonathan White’s article - How Trump and the new right came to ‘own’ the future – while apparently exploiting the past | Jonathan White | The Guardian Annalee Newitz’s article – How futurism took an abrupt right turn in the 20th century…

Future Tense

1
Some challenges to conventional economic thinking 28:38

26 days ago28:38

28:38

Does modern economic thinking act as a roadblock to change? Economists Kate Raworth and Rainer Kattel certainly think so. The alternatives they propose involve acknowledging limits not just obsessing about growth. And a caution from design and management expert Raz Godelink – it always pays to be skeptical when big business puts on the sustainability suit. Guests Kate Raworth – Economist and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab Raz Godelnik – Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at the School of Design Strategies, Parson's School of Design Rainer Kattel – Deputy Director and Professor of Innovation and Public Governance, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London…

Future Tense

1
Civility, trash talking and more sociable cities 28:38

5 weeks ago28:38

28:38

It certainly feels like a very shouty world. But have we really reached a new low point in civility? And, if so, where to from here? We examine what civility really entails and how it can help foster cooperation but also lead to the submission of minorities. And did you know that even the design of our urban spaces can shape and limit acts of civility? So, how can we make our cities more sociable? Guests Dr Eduardo Sadoval — Social Roboticist, UNSW Dr Saara Liinamaa — Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph. Also, co-investigator, Sociable Cities Project Rafi Kohan — US-based freelance writer and author Dr Keith Bybee — Professor of Law and Political Science, Syracuse University Further information Rafi Kohan - Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn’t Total Garbage Keith Bybee - How Civility Works Sociable Cities Project…

Future Tense

1
Limitarianism — could a cap on wealth reduce inequality? 28:38

6 weeks ago28:38

28:38

When a company CEO can be paid 1,000 times the average employee's salary it's probably time to take a long hard look at wealth inequality. And those calling for the rich to pay more aren't always the ones you'd expect – Patriotic Millionaires is a group of mega rich individuals demanding greater, not lesser taxation. Then there's the Dutch philosopher urging ordinary citizens to put a cap on their own personal wealth. She calls her approach Limitarianism. Also, Rewilding the Internet – how to purify an online environment made toxic by monopolistic capitalism. Original broadcast on June 21, 2024. Guests Dr Ingrid Robeyns – author, philosopher and Chair in Ethics of Institutions, Ethics Institute, Utrecht University (The Netherlands) Robert Guest – Deputy Editor, The Economist Morris Pearl – Chair of the Board, The Patriotic Millionaires Professor Jean-Etienne Joullie — EMLV Business School, Paris Maria Farrell – Writer and keynote speaker on technology and the future Further information Ingrid Robeyns: Limitarianism, The Case Against Extreme Wealth Robert Guest: The fallacious case for abolishing the rich Maria Farrell: We need to rewild the Internet Listen to Future Tense - Managerialism and our obsession with hierarchy…

Future Tense

1
Understanding attention and a craving for certainty 28:38

7 weeks ago28:38

28:38

Are we really facing an attention crisis? Historian, Daniel Immerwahr, has his doubts. In fact, he says ours is an era of obsession as much as distraction and of zeal as much as indifference. Also, the paradox of certainty: we crave it, argues the University of Alberta's, Timothy Caulfield, even though it's so easy to fake. Guests Daniel Immerwahr — author and Professor of History, Northwestern University and a contributing writer at The New Yorker Timothy Caulfield — author and Professor of law, University of Alberta Professor Gloria Mark — data scientist and psychologist, Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine Further information Timothy Coulfield: The Certainty Illusion. What You Don't Know and Why It Matters Daniel Immerwahr's article on Attention…

Future Tense

1
Flow Batteries, windships, and a new approach to off-grid solar 28:38

8 weeks ago28:38

28:38

They're cheaper and safer than their lithium counterparts, they're easier to scale-up, and they can hold power for much longer than conventional batteries, so why aren't flow batteries better known? The technology has been under development for decades, but enthusiasts now say they're finding their place in the sun. Also, why more and more cargo companies are turning to wind-power; and do developing countries need to rethink their approach to off-grid power. Guests Emeritus Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos — School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, University of New South Wales Emily Mahoney — Researcher, Malapit Lab, Northwestern University (US) Adjunct Associate Professor Jens Noack — Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland Associate Prof Paul Munro — Associate Professor in Human Geography, The Environment and Society Group, University of New South Wales Gavin Allwright — Secretary General, International Windship Association…

Future Tense

1
Modern museums, accountability, and openness 28:38

9 weeks ago28:38

28:38

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is opening-up its storeroom, turning the back end of the operation into a public resource. It's about attracting new patrons, but it's also about accountability, the Museum's managers have declared. Across the Western world museums are having to reexamine their mission and redefine the relationship they have with the public they're meant to serve. We explore why and how. We also look at the balance that's being struck between the physical artefact and its digital equivalent. Guests Tim Reeve — Deputy Director, Victorian and Albert Museum, London Dan Hicks — Professor of Contemporary Archaeology, Oxford University Karin de Wild — Assistant Professor in Contemporary Museum and Collection Studies, Leiden University (The Netherlands) Kylie Message-Jones — Professor of Public Humanities, ANU Humanities Research Centre…

Future Tense

1
Nuclear tombs and the distant discourse of danger 28:38

10 weeks ago28:38

28:38

A series of massive underground tombs for nuclear waste are currently under construction. They've taken decades to plan and build and they're designed to house the world's nuclear waste for millennia to come. So where are they being built? How safe will they be? And how to devise a toxic waste warning sign that will make sense to people living tens of thousands of years from now? Also, the latest research on how climate change is beginning to impact on internal migration within countries. Guests Mark Piesing — a UK-based freelance journalist Dr Shastra Deo — Nuclear semiotics expert and author, School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland Professor Raya Muttarak — Professor of Demography, University of Bologna (Italy) Lisa — a climate-concerned resident of South-east Queensland Further information Mark Piesing's article: How to build a nuclear tomb to last millennia…

Future Tense

1
The danger of generational labelling 28:38

11 weeks ago28:38

28:38

Terms like "Gen Z", "Boomer" and "Millennial" are popular, but they have no basis in science. Demographers and social scientists are now pushing back. Generational labelling, they argue, is akin to Astrology and while politicians, journalists and media influencers find them irresistible, they actually promote pseudo-science, sew social division and can reinforce prejudicial stereotypes. So why are generational labels so popular? Guests Professor Bobby Duffy — Director of the Policy Institute, King's College London. Author of The Generation Myth. Professor Philip Coen — Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland Professor Crystal Abidin — digital anthropologist and ethnographer of vernacular internet cultures, Curtin University Professor David Costanza — Professor of Commerce, University of Virginia Further information Philip Coen’s open letter to Pew Research Center on generation labels Pew Research Center's response…

Future Tense

1
Could Utopian thinking save democracy? 29:08

12 weeks ago29:08

29:08

Why does Utopian thinking get such a bad rap? It’s often derided as delusional and dangerous. But what if that stereotype is designed to limit our imagination and choices? We hear often that people are tired of democracy and turned off by short-term political thinking. So, is it time to be much more adventurous and ambitious – dare we say utopian – in our imagining of the future? Guests Professor William Paris – Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto Professor Barbara Prainsack – Professor for Comparative Policy Analysis, University of Vienna Professor Anna Abraham – Director of the Torrance Centre for Creativity and Talent Development…

Future Tense

1
How to ensure privatisation serves the public good 29:06

13 weeks ago29:06

29:06

Privatising public services like trains, hospitals or prisons — is a proven vote loser. But governments of both the left and right continue to privatise — when it suits them. And it suits them, it seems, when large sums of money are needed to pay down debt, or when a government seeks to off load risk and liability to the private sector. So, what conditions should be applied to ensure that privatisations truly serve the public interest and don't simply decrease competition? Guests Owen Hayford — Strategic legal and commercial adviser, Infralegal Nino Bucci — Justice and Courts Reporter, The Guardian Richard Denniss — economist and public policy commentator Professor Graeme Samuel — Monash University Business School Benjamin Goodair – Senior post-doctoral researcher, Oxford Universty…

Future Tense

1
The vicious cycle of fear and anger — and how it traps society 29:08

14 weeks ago29:08

29:08

Authoritarians rule through fear. We can clearly see that from China to the Middle East to eastern Europe. But why do we constantly overlook the way in which fear also shapes democratic societies? It's fueling populism and distorting our future focus. Then there's anger. It's inspired generations to man the barricades and right society's wrongs. But anger is increasingly becoming a driver of commerce. There's billions to be made in getting you riled up and keeping you that way. Fear fuels anger, and anger blinds you to recognise that your fear might be misguided. A truly vicious cycle. Guests Erika Ferszt – Owner, founder and lead-consultant, Scintillate Brand Consulting Professor Jennifer Lerner – Public Policy, Management and Decision Science, Harvard University Professor Robert Peckham – historian and Fellow at the Royal Historical Society, London Margot Faraci – Global leadership expert Further information Robert Peckham – Fear: An Alternative History of the World Margot Faraci - Love Leadership Survey…

Future Tense

1
Algorithms create a dull conformity — off and online 29:08

15 weeks ago29:08