Flash Forward

A Womb Away From Home May 12, 2015

What happens when women no longer have to physically bear children? Who wins? Who loses? Who takes artificial wombs to a far away planet to create a colony of super-beings?

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The Moon is a Harsh Second Mistress May 19, 2015

What would happen if the Earth suddenly had a second moon? This week, we work through the impact an additional satellite would have on our planet, from tides, to the night sky, to the potential destruction of Earth. Oh also there are space pirates.

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Forcing the Hand May 26, 2015

This week’s future is a social experiment. What if Earth had a robotic overlord who decided to ban all weapons? All fights would have to be hand to hand. Would there be less death that way? Less casualties? What counts as a weapon anyway? Listen to the episode to find out!

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The Most Dangerous Games Jun 02, 2015

This week on Meanwhile in the Future we step onto the field and talk about contact sports. What would it take to create a future in which the most dangerous sports die out? What are those sports to begin with? What does a world without football look like?

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Revenge of the Germs Jun 09, 2015

Over the past 85 years, antibiotics have been miracle drugs. They’ve kept infections at bay and opened up a world of medical possibilities: organ transplants, heart surgery, chemotherapy. But they’re not going to work forever. The age antibiotic resistance is coming. So what does a world without these drugs look like?

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Never Lay Me Down to Sleep Jun 16, 2015

If there was a drug that meant you never had to sleep again, would you take it? Would those who didn’t need to sleep have special advantages over those who did? All that and a side of zombies, in this week’s episode.

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The Day the Internet Broke Jun 23, 2015

If you’re reading this, you have access to the Internet. But what would happen if the Internet suddenly went away? And what would it take to make that happen?

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The Supernova Next Door Jun 30, 2015

We often think of stars as twinkling, harmless little points of light that fill our night sky with majesty. But stars can be dangerous too. When they come to the end of their lifespan, some stars explode fantastically as supernovae. So what would happen if one of those giant explosions happened nearby?

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The Bodybuilders Jul 07, 2015

We all want to be our best selves. But what if you could add almost anything to your body and mind? A camera here, an exoskeleton there. This is the world that some biohackers imagine—one in which humans can extend their abilities beyond the limits biology has set for us. But what does that world look like?

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Grounded Jul 14, 2015

Need to get from New York to Paris? Or San Diego? Chances are you’re not taking a car or a bus or a boat to go there. Instead, you’d hop on a plane. But aside from hurting your wallet, commercial flights also hurt the planet, contributing to the continuous input of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that is in turn contributing to climate change. So what if we stopped flights? What would happen?

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Winded Jul 21, 2015

What would happen if a company put up so many wind turbines that they actually changed the climate on Earth? I know this sounds totally crazy, but I swear to you this is something that scientists have actually looked into. So naturally, I talked to one of those scientists.

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Facetime Jul 28, 2015

Your face is one of your most valuable possessions. But what happens when facial recognition is so good that any company can grab an image of your face while you’re walking down the street, and link it to everything from your social media profiles, to your credit score, to your workplace?

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Sunward Bound Aug 04, 2015

If the Earth, somehow, stopped rotating around the sun, it would have exactly 64 1/2 days before it crashed into the fireball at the center of our solar system. Here's what would happen during those last 64 1/2 days.

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Eternal Life in Prison Aug 11, 2015

What if “life in prison” could mean 100 or 200 or 400 years? Does that change the way that sentences are dolled out? What happens when a person gets out of prison?

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A Drone of One’s Own Aug 25, 2015

What does the world look like when everybody with a smart phone also has a drone?

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Caged Sep 01, 2015

What would happen if we rounded up all the critically endangered animals and plants and put them in armored zoos?

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The Empathy Machine Sep 08, 2015

When you were a kid and stole your friends’ toys, your parent probably asked you this angry hypothetical: “How do you think that made them feel?” But what if you actually could feel what another person is feeling? This week, we travel to a future where humans have invented an empathy machine.

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Greetings Sep 15, 2015

Humans spend a lot of time and energy wondering if there’s anybody else out there. But what if we got unequivocal evidence that there was? In this week’s future, a probe that is extremely similar to the Voyager probes that we sent out in the 1970’s shows up in our galaxy.

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Unseen Sep 22, 2015

In 2006, scientists described the world's first invisibility cloak. But there was a catch. It only worked in two dimensions, and on microwaves. But to what if scientists and engineers could created a true invisibility cloak?

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The Carbon Gene Sep 29, 2015

When it comes to climate change, there are a lot of researchers already thinking about how to equip crops and food animals with genes to help them withstand heat and parched conditions. But what about genetically engineering humans to try to slow our constant carbon contributions?

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Bye Bye Binary Oct 06, 2015

What if we lived in a world where gender was more like hair color — something you could change at will, and that had little bearing on what other people thought of you?

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Crossing Oct 13, 2015

Every country has their own idiosyncratic rules and regulations for border crossings. But what if the whole process were standardized and run by a single organization?

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Reputationville Oct 20, 2015

What would it be like if we lived in a world where everything you do is subject to a rating dolled out by a combination of machines and other people?

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Face Off Feb 02, 2016

Welcome to season two of Flash Forward! We kicked off this season with a pretty unlikely future: the entire world goes face blind.

In the episode we discuss what causes face blindness — also known as prosopagnosia — and the tricks that people use to remember their friends. We also go through all the things that would be easier (spying, hiding) and harder (police lineups, cocktail parties) in a world where we were all faceblind.

Today, about two percent of the population has some form of face blindness, or prosopagnosia. Some people with prosopagnosia have a hard time with acquaintances, while others struggle to recognize their own family members, and sometimes even themselves. If after this you’re thinking “hm, I wonder if I’m face blind,” you can take an unofficial online test here.

To figure out what this world might be like, I called up Dr. Jason Barton, a neurologist at the University of British Columbia who treats and studies people with face blindness. He told me that face blindness can happen for a lot of reasons: some people are born with it, and others acquire the trouble after a stroke, infection, tumor, or other kind of brain injury. You’ll have to listen to the episode to learn how it happens to all of us at once.

I also talked to two people who are face blind, since they have the best sense for what this might be like for the rest of us. Lisa Huang, a science fiction writer, and Jaydeep Bardhan, a mechanical engineering professor at Northeastern University, told me all sorts of really interesting things about how they do, or don’t remember people. Movies and TV shows? Tough for people with face blindness, especially when all the actors look the same.

We also talked about things like hair and makeup, how people might try to visually distinguish themselves when they can’t rely on their face to do it for them. And Barton suggested a whole other way to recognize people that has nothing to do with faces.

There’s a great Ted Chiang short story called “Liking What You See: A Documentary” about facial recognition. The story focuses not on face-blindness, but instead, the piece talks about a world in which people can elect to have their perception of beauty turned off. So nobody has an advantage for being prettier than anybody else. But according to Dr. Jason Barton, some people with prosopagnosia also struggle to tell things like age, sex, mood and even beauty of another face in front of them.

And in case you didn’t think this episode was dark enough, here’s another take on face blindness: a short film in which someone locks eyes with the perpetrator of a horrible crime, but can’t remember his face because he’s face blind.

What do you think? How might we get around face blindness? Would we just give up? Would we all wear go-pros and google glasses around? Would name tags come back into style?

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The (awesome) art for this episode is by Matt Lubchansky. The intro music is by Asura and the Outtro music is by Broke for Free. The music for your drive time radio host was The Zombie Dandies. The voice of your drive time radio host was Mike Pesca, who is also the host of the not-fictional daily Slate podcast The Gist. The voice of our trusty scientist was Bethany Brookshire, you can follow her on Twitter at @scicurious. And the voice of our lovely public radio reporter was Tamara Krinsky, you can find her at @tamarakrinsky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! This week's episode was suggested by Charlie Loyd.

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Love At First Bot Feb 09, 2016

Right now there’s a whole lot of buzz about sex robots. Some people are really excited about them, and think we’ll be marrying robots by 2050. Other people are really worried about them, and are organizing whole campaigns against sex robots. This week, we travel to a future where sex robots are realized, and talk about everything from warranties to ethics.

[A note: if you listen to our show with or near young kids be aware that today’s episodes discusses the future of sex, and goes into some detail about sex toys, sex work and other sexy time things. If your kiddos are ready for a calm, reasonable discussion of sex and the sex industry, carry on! If you’re not there yet, that’s cool, but maybe skip this one.]

This week we have three experts helping us think through how we get to sex robots, and what we do when we get there. A.V. Flox is journalist who covers the intersection of sex, law and technology. She is very skeptical of all the sexbot hype, and says we have a long way to go before we’ll see anything remotely like an actual sex robot. Madeline Ashby is a science fiction writer and futurist who’s been a guest on the show before. A few of her books involve sex robots, and she thinks that before we get anything human we’ll start to see cartoony looking forms. And Shelly Ronen is a sociology PhD student at NYU who studies sex and sex object production. Ronen says that it’s possible we won’t demand full-on humanoid robots, but instead be totally satisfied by less human-like machines.

Together the three of them walk us through all the things we might have to sort out before and after the rise of the sex robots. How do you keep them clean? Where do you store them? What happens if they break? What will they look like? How do you handle the uncanny valley? Who should use them, and how does their existence impact sex workers?

You can read an optimistic take on sex robots in the book Love and Sex With Robots by David Levy and you can find more on Levy’s outlook on robots here. Levy is optimistic about sex robots — not only does he think they’re coming quickly, he also thinks they could have some very positive impacts. On the other side of the table is the Campaign Against Sex Robots. You can guess how they feel about these devices, and their argument is generally summed up here. Essentially, they feel that prostitution is bad, and sex robots would be a form of prostitution and encourage it, therefore sex robots are bad. This is an argument that many people disagree with, including sex workers who point out that many of them enjoy and would like to keep their jobs.

To top everything off, here are some fun fact about our long tradition of wanting to create and love female robots:

Robots were originally assumed to be male. The 1920's science fiction play R.U.R. that gave us the word robot also gave us the term for a female robot: a robotess.

The term "gynoid" (which you don't see quite as much anymore) was coined by the writer Gwyneth Jones in her 1985 novel Divine Endurance.

The term "fembot" first shows up in 1976, in a script for the show The Bionic Woman.

Brigitte Helm played "Maschinenmensch," the female robot in the iconic 1927 movie Metropolis. Apparently her costume was extremely uncomfortable, and other actors would apparently slip coins into various openings out of pity for her. She used those coins to buy chocolate.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The illustration is by Matt Lubchansky. The music for our various sex robot commercials was by Alaclair, Strong Suit and BoxCat.

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Don’t Lie To Me Feb 16, 2016

Today we travel to a future without lies. What would it be like if we all wore accurate lie detectors around all the time?

In this episode we talk about when children learn to lie, the different social functions of lying, and what might happen if we couldn’t ever fib. How would negotiations be different? How would we make small talk? Could we create art or music? All that and more in this week’s future.

This week’s show features four experts in the different facets of deception. Patti Wood is an expert in detecting non-verbal cues. She told me about her work, and the ways she uses body language to try and tell if someone is lying. Maria Konnikova is a journalist and the author of a book called The Confidence Game, all about con artists and people who are really good at lying. She says that while many of the people her book is about would have been thwarted, there would be serious downsides to not being able to lie to one another. Michael Lewis has studied lying and childhood development for over fifty years, and he says that children learn really early on that lying is something they should be doing. And Andrea Kupfer Schneider is a professor of ethics and dispute resolution at Marquette University Law School. She says that without the ability to lie, negotiations would actually be way better.

Right now there are tons of different technologies and methods that try to detect lying, which range from imperfect to totally bogus. According to the American Psychological Association polygraph tests, the lie detector setup you see in movies and TV all the time, don’t accurately tell if someone is lying. There’s also a device called a voice stress analyzer — what it does is listen to your voice and try to detect signs of stress, which suggests that you might not be telling the truth. But according to a study done by the National Institute of Justice, voice stress analyzers are often no better than chance at detecting lies. Of course, that hasn’t stopped some places from using them surreptitiously during phone interviews.

There are also all kinds of drugs that attempt to make people tell the truth. These are staples of movies and television shows, but like most things they don't work as well as they do on TV.

If you’re interested in the history of lie detectors, check out this book by Ken Alder, which explores not just who invented the polygraph, but the long history of our obsession with finding a biological connection to “the truth.” And if you’re interested in a movie about a world without lies, try The Invention of Lying.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

This week’s future voices were provided by Sarah Werner, Brent Rose, Kirstin Butler, Pablo Meier, Eddie Guimont, Guillermo Herrera, Justin Cameron and Jess Zimmerman, who also suggested this future to us, so thanks Jess! If you want to be a voice in the future you can do that, it’s one of the rewards we have for becoming a Patron of the show on Patreon.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And, as always, if you like the show please head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

See you next week for a new future!

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The Ultimate Swatting Feb 23, 2016

Today we travel to a future where humans have decided to eradicate the most dangerous animal on the planet: mosquitos. How would we do it? Is it even possible? And what are the consequences?

Mosquitos have worked hard to earn the nickname “deadliest animal on earth.” According to the World Health Organization there are 20 million cases of dengue virus every year. And there are 214 million cases of malaria, 438,000 of which are deadly. In the United States, an outbreak of West Nile Virus that started in 1999 infected 41,000 people and killed 1700 of them. Since 2005, there have been 1.9 million cases of Chickungunya virus documented in East Asia, and as of last year 1.3 million cases of the virus had been documented in the US and Latin America. Yellow Fever infects 200,000 people every year, and kills about 30,000 of those people.

All of these diseases are carried by mosquitos. For comparison, snakes kill about 50,000 people a year. Humans kill about 475,000 other humans every year. And mosquitos, all told, kill 725,000 people each year.

And recently, with the rise of Zika, people have started wondering aloud once again why we don’t just get rid of the biting bugs.

Whenever you talk about eliminating a whole species, or, in the case of every mosquito, a few thousand species, the question of ecology looms. How important are these animals? What relies on them for food or protection or pollination? According to Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist with the University of Sydney, we still don’t know very much about the role mosquitoes play in the ecosystem.

Unsurprisingly, most of the research that’s done on mosquitoes is done on either how to kill them, or what diseases they might give us. There’s not a ton of work done on their importance in the environment. So we don’t know what might happen to the ecosystem if we were to eliminate them entirely.

What we do know is that we’ve been fighting mosquitoes for a really long time. The CDC was actually founded in response to malaria. And Maryn McKenna, who you might remember from our episode on antibiotic resistance, came back for this episode to tell us about the history of trying to control these mosquito borne illnesses.

So how do we actually kill all these bugs? It won’t be easy. Mosquitoes are sneaky, particularly the species that transmit disease to humans. This future probably involves a combination of things: pesticides, land management, education, and genetic modification. Not on humans, like we talked about in episode 20 from last season. But of the mosquitoes themselves.

To explain how genetically modified mosquitos worked, we talked to Hayden Parry, the CEO of a company called Oxitec that developed and grows these modified insects. The basic premise behind them is to engineer male mosquitoes that can’t produce viable baby mosquitoes. These males mate with regular females, and their offspring all die, thus controlling the population.

All that and more in this week’s episode, so have a listen.

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Micro But Mighty Mar 01, 2016

Today we travel to a future where your microbiome becomes a key part of your identity. From health to your child’s kindergarten, here are all the ways knowing about your microbiome might impact your life.

Let’s start with a definition: what is the microbiome? Simply put, the microbiome is the collection of microbes (mostly bacteria) that live in and on your body. It’s hard to say exactly how many microbes make up the human microbiome, but researchers estimate that somewhere between 500 and 1,000 different species of bacteria live in the human gut. And that’s just the gut, there are microbial communities in our mouths, on our skin, in the vagina, all over the place. To put things in another perspective, the average human body is made up of 30 trillion cells. And on top of those 30 trillion cells, the average human also carries around in and on it, 40 trillion bacteria. 40 Trillion!

To learn how those 40 trillion cells might be leveraged in the future, we talked to Ed Yong, the author of the upcoming book I Contain Multitudes; Rachel Feltman, a science blogger at the Washington Post; and Jessica Richman, the cofounder and CEO of uBiome, a personal microbiome company. The three of them walk us through the pros, cons and surprising ways the microbiome might be used in the future.

The microbiome is a really promising area of research because it seems to interact with so many elements of our health. People are studying links between the microbiome and everything from autism to heart disease to body odor to cancer. But the gap between what we know right now, and what we’d need to know to develop microbiome based treatments for most of these things, is huge.

Right now there are no drugs on the market that are based on the microbiome, and there’s really only one microbiome related medical application that reliably works. And that’s for patients with an infection called Clostridium difficile or c. diff who get a fecal transplant. The c. diff infection is awful, and it totally ravages the guts of those infected with it. A jolt of health bacteria, in the form of donated fecal matter, can be life saving.

While the gut microbiome might get all the glory, there are lots of other microbiomes that impact our wellbeing as well. Doctors are trying to figure out whether children born by C-section might miss out on some crucial microbes that other children get when they pass through the vaginal canal. One recent study actually used wet wipes with the mother’s vaginal microbes on them on newly C-sectioned babies to see if it helped. There are concerns about that method too though.

Of course with any promising scientific breakthrough there will be people trying to apply it to pretty much everything. In the episode we talk about what happens when certain microbes start getting connected to talent or personality, or associated with negative traits. We’ve already seen that with genetic information, so why not microbial?

This week we also bring a new segment to the show! I play a few voicemails that listeners sent about mosquitoes from last week. I really loved the funny and thoughtful messages you sent me so keep telling me what you think! I’ll feature them each week. Call us and leave a voicemail at (347) 927-1425. Or, send a voice memo to info@flashforwardpod.com. For instructions on how to do that, go here. And you don’t just have to tell us what you think about this future. If you want to suggest a future, you can do that too! I love hearing your ideas, so keep sending them!

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

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My Everything Pal Mar 08, 2016

Today we travel to a future full of spreadsheet approved lives. A future where everything we do is tracked and quantified: calories, air quality, sleep, heart rate, microbes, brain waves, finances, happiness, sadness, menstrual cycles, poops, hopes and dreams. Everything.

This episode is longer than our usual 20 minute jaunts to the future, because the future of quantified self is so huge. We cover everything from biased algorithms, to microbiomes (again), to the future of the calorie, and more.

The first person we talk to this week is Chris Dancy, who is basically living in this future today. He’s been called the most quantified man in the world. Every day Chris wears and carries around over thirty devices that track everything from his heart rate to his brain waves. You can see a live stream of his data here. Chris started tracking his life in 2008, and has upgraded his system continuously to become more streamlined and include more forms of data.

But, as I was watching a few of these videos (including the one above), I felt kind of uncomfortable. Because a lot of them treat Chris kind of like a freak show. Like this weirdo guy that we should all kind of laugh at, or shun, or see as this maniac with too many devices. But in talking to Chris it became very clear to me that he’s very thoughtful about what he’s doing. The point isn’t just to track for tracking sake, Chris is on a mission. And it’s the same mission that you or I might have when we start tracking steps or workouts or calories or menstrual cycles: to be better. To be healthier and happier. And, for Chris at least, it worked. He dropped 100 pounds, stopped drinking and abusing drugs, and feels way healthier now than he did before.

A lot of people have called Chris the most quantified man, or the most surveilled man, or the most tracked man. But he thinks about it another way. He calls himself a mindful cyborg. But being a mindful cyborg takes a lot of work. He spends $30,000 a year on his quantified self, and it’s essentially his full time job. Not everybody can do that.

When you ask Chris what the future of the quantified self looks like, he’s actually not super optimistic about it. Because right now, Chris uses all these devices to gather data, but he sometimes has to fight companies to actually get access to it. In most cases, he has to buy his data back from them, in order to use it for what he wants. He says he sees us going to “the dark future,” where all our data is mined by companies, and not used to make us healthier or happier.

To dig a little deeper into the possible dark side of personal tracking, I called Claire North, the the author of a book called The Sudden Appearance of Hope that’s coming out this summer. The main character, Hope, sort of has the opposite of face blindness, she is totally unmemorable to anybody who meets her. Which makes her an excellent thief, and the book started out as a book about thieving. But as Claire was writing it, she started getting interested in something else, the fact that without any friends or family or other humans that can even remember her, Hope has no real way of measuring her life.

There’s still plenty of thieving in the book (it’s very exciting) but there’s an added layer now. The story kind of centers around this app called Perfection. Users give it access to everything: their bank accounts, their location, what they’re eating and drinking, who they’re hanging out with, how they’re sleeping, everything. And in return, the app gives them suggestions. Don’t eat there, eat here. Don’t do that, do this. And when users link up their accounts, and comply with the app’s instructions, they get perks. Coupons to restaurants or access to special events. Users who get enough points even get plastic surgery.

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Unpawful Mar 15, 2016

Today we travel to a future without pets. What would it take for us to give up our fuzzy, slithery, fishy friends? Should our pets get more rights? And if we didn’t have dogs or cats, would we domesticate something else to take their place?

This week's episode name is perhaps the worst pun I've ever committed. Sorry not sorry.

Anyway. In this episode pets are outlawed, gone, we don't have them anymore. No more dogs, cats, fish, birds, bunnies, none of them. This might seem like a really outlandish future, who actually wants us to stop having pets? Well, it turns out, this actually something that some people currently do advocate for.

To find out more about folks who argue that we should try to phase out pets, I talked to Doris Lin. She's an animal rights attorney and used to write the animal rights section for About.com. And she explains in the episode that she really does think that we should phase out pets.

But she also wants to clarify something: she’s not about to show up at your door and confiscate your animals. She doesn't want to separate anybody's beloved pets from their good homes. (She herself has pet rabbits.) But she does believe that people should stop breeding animals to be kept as pets, and that eventually, after all the rescue animals get home and live their happy lives, we should try to live without them.

There are a couple of arguments for eliminating pets from our lives. Lin says that animals we keep aren't able to live out their "natural instincts" and that it's not fair for us to force them to live by "human rules." Some people point to the increasing body of research that shows that animals might be a lot more intelligent than we once thought.

Today, studies show that dogs can actually understand pointing. So if we point at something, the dog knows that we’re trying to get them to pay attention to that thing. Cats might be able to do the same thing, but they’re harder to study because they don’t care about your stupid experiment. This pointing thing might seem like not that big of a deal. But chimpanzees, our closest living relative, can’t do that. Which might seem surprising, but as David Grimm points out in the episode, we've evolved with dogs for something like 30,000 years, and with cats for 10,000 years.

Grimm is the Online News Editor of the magazine Science, and the author of a book called Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs. And in his book, David talks about how the way we think about our animals has totally changed in the last century. They used to be considered lower than objects, less important than your table or toaster. But today, most people consider their pets far more important than their tables. There have been custody battled fought over pets, dogs have been appointed lawyers, and some animals have even inherited money.

A 2015 Harris Poll showed that 95 percent of pet owners consider their pets members of their family. During Hurricane Katrina, some people decided to stay behind with their pets when they were told the rescue boats would only take human passengers. Some of those people died.

So the idea of a world without these creatures in them is really hard to imagine, even for Lin who advocates for this future. But that never really stops us here on this show! And in the second half of the episode we talk about all the ways that this might happen. Listen to find out!

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

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MiniPod Time Travel Mar 22, 2016

Today’s episode is a minipod, a smattering of time travel, future travel, and news about the show.

In this episode we hear a bunch of messages from listeners: what folks think about past futures we’ve been to, and future futures we should travel to.

We also cover some show news! So, in bullet point form:

Some of you might be new to the show this season. Maybe you didn’t even know this was the second season! Well, it is! Season one is available on Soundcloud, where you can download all the episodes for listening purposes.

The show now has a subreddit! So if you like Reddit and you want to talk about the show there, we’re at r/FlashForwardPod. I have some plans for the subreddit, including maybe some AMAs with guests of the show, and just general discussions of each future, and all that stuff.

We also now have an online store! Where you can buy stuff! Right now there are a couple of different versions of the logo that you can put on anything from a tote bag to a mug to a cell phone case. It’s all very cool looking so if you’re the kind of person who likes to buy swag for shows you listen to, you can now do that at our store. And if there’s an item that you don’t see in the store that you wish you could buy, let me know. If you do buy something from the store, I would love to see pictures of whatever it is in your life! That would make me extremely happy.

I mean come on check out these tote bags!

The last thing I do in the episode is reveal a few of the hidden references from this season. A lot of you have asked what you should be looking for, so hopefully this will help!

In episode 2, Love At First Sexbot, the names of the different sex robots are references to particular people and characters. The Hadaly is named after a mechanical woman invented by a fictional Thomas Edison in the 1886 novel The Future Eve. She’s one of the first female robots to appear in literature.

The Leopold is named after Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose name lives on in the term “masochism.”

And here’s probably the hardest one from that episode: Margot’s Discount Closet Solutions is named after a character from a Ray Bradbury short story called “All Summer in a Day.” That one was hard, I admit.

In the mosquito episode, two of the names are references to Animorphs characters, and the repeated use of the number 18 points to the book in which the Animorphs turn into mosquitos.

That’s often what you’re looking for. Other times it’s quotes and clips I play. So, go forth and find them!

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. Other music used in this episode is by Ryan Lit and Decktonic.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook, by voicemail at (347) 927-1425 or by sending an email or voice memo to info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas!

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next week and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Tree Free Mar 29, 2016

Today we travel to a fully digital world, a world where paper is a thing of the past.

On this show we’ve tackled a huge range of futures — we’ve talked about things that are extremely likely, like, antibiotic resistance, and we’ve also talked about things that are simply never going to happen. Like space pirates dragging a second moon to earth for some reason.

And when I started working on this episode, I assumed that this future was more on the likely end of the spectrum. Maybe not in a few years, but eventually, we’ll probably stop using paper, right? Well, pretty much everybody I talked to said I was wrong.

The first person we talk to in this episode is Michael Makin, the President and CEO of Printing Industries of America, an organization that represents the printers all over the United States. And Printing Industries of America isn’t the only organization out there trying to keep printing alive. In 2014, a group called Two Sides launched a campaign arguing that companies who advertised paperless billing as “green” were violating guidelines set by the Federal Trade Commission. And they actually got over 20 companies to stop advertising their paperless billing options as “environmentally friendly.” And this is one of the big arguments that the paper industry makes against going without paper: that it's actually not nearly as environmentally friendly as people claim.

Now, it’s hard to make blanket statements about whether paper or digital is better for the environment. Both have their upsides and downsides, but it's definitely true that many people don't realize the environmental cost of browsing things online using their devices. According to the Centre for Sustainable Communications at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, "the environmental impact of a web based newspaper is, in general, in the same range as a printed newspaper's environmental impact."

But Makin also says that he is totally convinced that paperlessness is just never going to happen. "I mean let’s be real, we are NEVER going to live in a paperless society," he says.

Now, you're probably thinking to yourself, "well duh Rose, of course the guy who represents the paper industry is going to say that paper will live forever." Yes, yes, I know, but he's actually not the only person who told me that they didn't think paperlessness was coming any time soon.

Richard Harper told me the same thing. Harper is a researcher at Microsoft and the co-author of a book called The Myth of the Paperless Office. In the book Richard and his coauthor Abigail Sellen trace the phrase “paperless office” back to the 1970’s when Xerox founded a research group called PARC. And PARC was working on networked systems, ways for offices to talk to each other over all kinds of digital networks. But to push networks forward, they felt like they had to push something else out. So they villified paper as "the devil" and tried to propose the idea of a utopian future without paper.

But what Richard and Abigail found in their research was that paper wasn’t a devil, and it wasn’t really going anywhere. And they also found that most people don’t really want paper to go away. In fact, there's no evidence that people are using less paper today than they were in the 1970's.

If we do wind up going more and more digital, one thing we'll have to worry about is how and where to store all those files. I can barely keep the files on my own computer in some kind of logical order, but when we’re all working digitally how do we preserve and archive anything? To find out I called up Lynda Schmitz Furig, who’s the electronic records archivist for The Smithsonian. Her job is to preserve everything digital that the Smithsonian creates. She tells us how they catalogue and store everything the Smithsonian creates.

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Rude Bot Rises Apr 05, 2016

Okay, you asked for it, and I finally did it. Today’s episode is about conscious artificial intelligence. Which is a HUGE topic! So we only took a small bite out of all the things we could possibly talk about.

We started with some definitions. Because not everybody even defines artificial intelligence the same way, and there are a ton of different definitions of consciousness. In fact, one of the people we talked to for the episode, Damien Williams, doesn’t even like the term artificial intelligence. He says it’s demeaning to the possible future consciousnesses that we might be inventing.

But before we talk about consciousnesses, I wanted to start the episode with a story about a very not-conscious robot. Charles Isbell, a computer scientist at Georgia Tech, first walks us through a few definitions of artificial intelligence. But then he tells us the story of cobot, a chatbot he helped invent in the 1990’s.

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Swipe Right For Democracy Apr 19, 2016

Today we travel to a future where America has converted to a direct democracy. Everybody votes on everything!

Hey, did you know it was an election year in the United States? I know, you've probably not really heard about this, it's not like it's on the news 24/7. But for all the coverage and the fights you might be getting into on Facebook, tons of people in the United States aren't going to vote in this election. The Pew Research Center has some pretty depressing statistics on just how many Americans go to the polls every year.

People in the U.S. don't vote for a lot of reasons. The main one is time. But the second most common answer (16 percent) that Americans give, when asked by the Census Bureau why they don't vote, is that they weren't interested. And eight percent of people said they didn't vote because they didn't like the candidates or the issues.

It's no secret that Americans hate their government. In 2015, a Gallup poll estimated that only eight percent of Americans have faith in Congress as an institution. Eight percent!

So what if we did things differently? What if we put the vote back to the people, and had Americans actually vote on the issues directly. What if America was a direct democracy?

To find out what might happen we talked to Kerri Milita, an assistant professor at Illinois State University who studies direct democracy in America.

We also talked to talked to Daniel Castro who's the vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation about what an accessible voting app would look like. A few years ago, they looked at accessible voting technology, and found that when you can let people vote on their own apps in their own places that are already safe and customized to them makes a big difference.

So let’s say that this all works perfectly. Just go with me to the utopia for a second. Everything works really great, everybody is happy, we’re all securely and safely writing bills and voting on our phones. And because there are no barriers to voting anymore, turnout and participation skyrockets. Now, most people vote! Yay! What does that United States look like when all the people who don't vote today, start voting.

To find out, we called Sean McElwee, a policy analyst for an organization called Demos. Sean told us about his research on the differing opinions between voters and non-voters, which you can read here.

We also talk about security and voting, and what happens if nobody actually votes because they're overwhelmed.

We didn't get to talk about a few things in the show. Like how Sweden uses direct democracy, why Estonia has online voting and we don't, the history of direct democracy, or the proposals to change the forms of democracy we see in the United States.

What do you think? Do you vote yes or no on direct democracy? Tell us! Send us a voice memo to info@flashforwardpod.com or call and leave a voicemail at (347) 927-1425.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura, the break music is by MC Cullah and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks this week to Dara Lind, who suggested this episode, and Rob Tannen, who provided valuable insight into election app design.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

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Omnibot May 03, 2016

Today we travel to a world with universal translation devices. Where the babelfish from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comes true (although probably not in the form of an evolved organism, but let's not fret about the details).

We start this episode with Barry Slaughter Olsen, who's the co-president of Interpret America. Barry tells us all about what interpreting and translation actually is, and why it will be really hard to replace human translation with machines.

Then we talked to Julie Sedivy, a writer and language scientist based in Calgary. She helps us think about what these kinds of devices might do for language loss and cultural assimilation of immigrants. Do people still learn English when they move to America or Canada?

Last we talked to Erin McKean, the editor of Wordnik, the world's largest English Language dictionary. She walks us through a ton of fun future possibilities like branded Taylor Swift language plugins and online translation truthers.

Links and references mentioned in today's episode:

Interpret America

Is the language barrier really about to fall?

Long wait to come to America for Iraqis, Afghans who served U.S. troops

Julie Sedivy writes about losing and regaining Czech

Wordnik

A Spanish town's Google Translate fail

Cops use Google Translate to question woman

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. Special thanks this week to Ciarán Doyle, David Faiz, Josh Newman and Noé Ramalleira. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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Expiration Date May 17, 2016

Today we travel to a future where it’s possible to know exactly when you will die. Do you chose to find out?

Now, this is, impossible. Totally impossible. And I’m not even going to try and come up with some strange pseudoscientific explanation for how this might happen. It’s not a thing. Just go with me here. Some people asked for more weird episodes this season, so, here you go!

We start the episode talking to Chanel Reynolds, the founder of a site called Get Your Shit Together which helps people get their shit together around death and dying. Stuff like: writing a living will, getting it executed, getting disability insurance, putting together an emergency plan, all that shit that, if you’re like me, you do not have together. Chanel started Get Your Shit Together a few years after losing her husband to a sudden accident, and realizing that she really didn’t know what to do, and didn’t have any of her own shit together.

And she tells us about all the reasons it’s good to think about your own death, even if it’s really far away. You never know what might happen, and you don’t want to leave your family, pets and loved ones without a good sense for how you want the end of your life managed.

Then we talk to Sheldon Solomon a professor of psychology at Skidmore College and one of the leading researchers in a field called terror management theory. Terror management theory basically says that we live, all of us, all the time, with this underlying rumble of terror beneath the surface. Terror that we are going to die. Which, we are, at some point. And when we’re reminded of death, that terror bubbles up and impacts our behavior in some not so good ways.

Sheldon has done tons of experiments that show that when you remind someone of their own death, just for a fleeting moment, a tiny reminder, it can make you more racist, xenophobic, hateful, war mongering and rude. They’ve done experiments where they’ve asked people to evaluate ideas or other people after seeing a death reminder. And in tons of experiments they’ve found that death reminders make us worse people. They make Christians dislike Jews more, they make Germans more likely to sit next to other people who look German and away from folks who look not-German, they make Iranians more supportive of suicide bombers and they make Americans more supportive of Trump (seriously).

So, in this future, if we know exactly when we’re going to die, and we think about it all the time, we might turn into horrible people.

There is other research that says that for some people, these effects aren’t as strong, and for some they’re actually positive. But researchers don’t really know what makes someone more likely to become better or worse after being reminded of their own death.

Next we talked to Ryan North, the creator of Dinosaur Comics. Back in 2005, Ryan published an episode of Dinosaur Comics that outlined the premise of the machine of death: you go to the machine, it takes a blood sample, and it spits out a card that sells you how you’re going to die. Maybe it says “poisoned apple,” or “drowned,” or “old age.” Ryan thought it would just be a one off joke, but his friends Matthew Bennardo and David Malki started exploring little short stories based on the premise, and eventually they opened up the idea to general submissions. So far there have been two Machine of Death anthologies, each full of stories about what happens when the machine of death comes to town. They’re really fun, I highly recommend them.

Ryan and I talked about all the weird ways that the option to know your death date might change the world. Does health insurance even make sense anymore? Can you get your kids tested? Should you get your kids tested? Could you make armies of people you knew wouldn’t die that day?

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Popnonymous May 31, 2016

Today we go to a future where all pop stars use avatars, clones, robots or cartoons instead of their real bodies and faces. What does that do to music? Can everybody pull off an avatar? And why would any pop star even want that?

We start with a conspiracy theory. Jaya Saxena tells us about the theory that Beyonce is a clone. And one of the reasons Jaya thinks that people might think Beyonce is using a clone is because she’s so private, and hates doing press stuff. Which of course is not the case, Beyonce may seem perfect but she is in fact a single human woman.

But the idea that a pop star might want to use a clone or avatar to do some of the more boring and annoying tasks required of pop stars: red carpets, meet and greets, constant interviews, is believable. Kelsey McKinney, a culture writer at Fusion, says that most of the pop stars she’s interviewed would absolutely take an out if they were given one. She tells us about what the grind of pop-stardom is really like, and why so many stars eventually do break down.

Now, there are some pop stars who use fronts or avatars. The Gorillaz performed as a cartoon troupe. Daft Punk wears those helmetty things. Sia wears a big wig. Deadmaus often performs wearing a giant mouse head. There’s this rock band called The Residents that has a small but very intense cult following. MF Doom performed in this gladiator mask. There are lots of examples of this. But Kelsey points out that none of them have reached the level of fame that say Beyonce or Taylor Swift has.

The one possible place we can find a true pop star that is represented by an avatar is Hatsune Miku. Now, if you’re not familiar with Hatsune Miku, she’s a 16 year old Japanese popstar. She’s 5 feet 2 inches tall, and she weighs 93 pounds and she’s got this really striking blue hair that is usually in these super long pigtails. And she is not real, she’s a cartoon or hologram. Hatsune Miku is a particularly interesting case to me because unlike The Gorillaz or Daft Punk or Sia, Hatsune Miku isn’t a front for a person. There is no artist laboring behind the scenes, who then goes out and uses the Hatsune Miku cartoon character to perform. She’s entirely a fabrication of a company, and I swear to you that I am not making this up, the company’s name is Crypton Future Media. And Crypton Future Media makes these singing synthesizer programs. And that’s where Hatsune Miku’s voice comes from, it’s totally created by a computer.

And last week when I was doing some research for this episode I realized that Hatsune Miku was actually playing at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City where I live, in just a couple days. So, obviously I bought tickets and this past weekend I dragged my very patient boyfriend to her show. You can hear how that went in the episode.

But of course I can’t interview Hatsune Miku, since she’s not real. So instead I called my favorite anonymous musician: the man behind Hussalonia. You can read about the back story to Hussalonia on their site, but here’s the gist: Hussalonia is a pop music cult, which was purchased by an evil soap company called Nefarico, which demanded that Jesse no longer use his name or face in the songs, and also required him to put out two albums of soap jingles. And the man behind Hussalonia, Jesse Mank, tells us about why he came up with this story, and why he didn’t even do interviews until recently.

Finally, we all discuss what kinds of avatars people would choose, whether certain types of music are better suited to avatars, and what kind of fan art might spring up from these avatars.

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Kaboom Jun 14, 2016

Today week we take on a doomsday future! We haven’t done one of those this season. So, what would happen if all the active volcanoes in the world erupted at the same time? The short answer is: bad things. The long answer is, well, you’ll have to listen to the episode!

First we talk to Jessica Ball, a volcanologist, who walks us through the different types of eruptions, what make something an active volcano, and just how bad ash is. Spoiler: it’s really bad. It gums up engines, cuts up your lungs, and is so heavy that it can collapse buildings.

But the destruction of a massive volcanic eruption doesn’t stop there. Oh no. Then Ball tells us about the ways in which volcanoes can actually impact the climate. In fact, in 1815, a single volcanic eruption at Mount Tambora caused the entire Northern Hemisphere to experience “A Year Without a Summer,” resulting in famine, death, and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. (You’ll have to listen to the podcast to get that particular story.)

So how does one live through this kind of apocalyptic event? To find out, I called up two people who, unlike me, would probably survive: Megan Hine and Pat Henry. Megan and Pat are both sort survival experts, but they go about it in really different ways.

Megan is an adventurer and wilderness expedition leader. She takes people out into the middle of nowhere, and trains them no how to survive. People like Bear Grills, the man of the Discovery Channel show Man vs. Wild. Bear has called Megan “the most incredible bushcraft, climbing and mountain guide you’ll ever meet.”

Pat is a little bit different. Pat is a prepper, someone who is actively preparing today for a disaster that might come tomorrow. Pat is the founder and editor of a website called The Prepper Journal, which has pretty much everything you need to know about prepping, should you be worried about, say, all the volcanoes in the world going off at once.

Oh and Pat isn’t his real name. He uses a pseudonym, so that nobody knows that he has two years worth of food stored up. So when something terrible does happen, he doesn’t have to turn his unprepared friends and neighbors away.

Both Megan and Pat said that the first way to survive is by being lucky. Don’t live or be near a volcano. But after that, surviving 1,500 volcanic eruptions is like surviving any other terrible thing. You’ll need food, water, shelter, medicine. You’ll have to fight off other humans. And you’ll probably be surprised by what you can do, when push comes to shove.

And we end the episode with a note about who you want in your little gang of survivalists. You’ll be surprised who’s actually a good addition to that team. Stay tuned to the end for that.

Also! Right now I'm running a little survey for listeners. Tell me a bit about yourself, please. Thanks!

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. The voices for this week’s future scene were provided by Suzanne Fischer, Eddie Guimont, Guillermo Herrera, Wendy Hari, John Olier, Caroline Sinders and Kevin Wojtaszek whose name I think I might have finally pronounced correctly this time. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

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Bot for Teacher Jun 28, 2016

Today a future without schools. Instead of gathering students into a room and teaching them, everybody learns on their own time, on tablets and guided by artificial intelligence.

First, I talk to a Ashok Goel, a computer scientist who developed an artificially intelligent TA named Jill Watson and didn’t tell any of his students she wasn’t a human.

Then I talk to two people building future, app based educational systems. Jessie Woolley-Wilson from DreamBox explains what adaptive learning is, and how it can help create a better learning experience for kids. She also talks about all the data they collect on kids to better serve them (data we’ll come back to later in the episode.) Along with Jessie, Julia Stiglitz from Coursera explains how this kind of self-directed learning can extend into the college and post-college world.

Jessie and Julia see a future with these kinds of learning apps that could be more democratic, more creative, more fun and more effective. But there are some downsides too. Neither of them see apps or algorithms replacing teachers, but there are other organizations and projects that do.

In 2013, a guy named Sugata Mitra won the TED Prize which comes with a pretty healthy million dollar check. He won this prize for his work on what he calls “A school in the cloud.” Mitra founded this organization named Hole in the Wall, where he went around the slums of India and installed these kiosks that children could use and play with. His whole thesis is that students can be taught by computers, on their own time. Without teachers. Here’s his TED talk.

And this Hole in the Wall thing is one of the classic examples that a lot of people working on education apps point to to show that kids don’t need teachers to learn. Kids are naturally curious, they’re going to want to seek out information, you don’t have to force them into a tiny room to listen to a boring teacher.

But we talk to some people who question that narrative. Audrey Watters, who runs the site Hack Education, says that projects like Hole in the Wall often don’t last. Nearly all the kiosks that Mitra set up are abandoned and vandalized, she says, and when you look at footage and images of the kiosks you can see that older, bigger boys dominate and push the smaller boys and girls out.

And get this to a question that came up with literally every person I talked to for this episode. What is the purpose of school? Is it to teach content? Or is it to teach students how to relate to one another, how to empathize, how to think, how to be good citizens? Nobody really knows. But we talk about it on the episode!

We also talk about some of the other downsides of these systems. Jade Davis, the associate director of digital learning projects at LaGuardia Community College in Queens New York, tells us about her concerns that algorithms might pigeonhole Kids who might not take to the system immediately. Kids like her own.

In the end, we talk about whether or not these kinds of solutions are really for everyone. Or if they’re just going to be used on poor, disadvantaged kids. Because, are Harvard students really going to be taught by robots? Probably not.

Bonus: Listen to the very end for a fun surprise.

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The Altered State Jul 12, 2016

Today we travel to a future where all drugs are legal. Just roll up to the store, and get yourself some cocaine!

We start with some history: for centuries a world without drug laws existed. Mark Kleiman, a professor at NYU who studies drug policy, explains that fear of drugs, and the desire to regulate them, really started in the last 1800’s. The rise of industry, advances in chemistry, and the invention of the hypodermic needle all fueled a rise in drug use and in drug fears.

Today, of course, some drugs are legal and others aren’t. Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and pharmaceuticals are all legal. You probably already know what’s not.

But why are certain drugs legal in the United States and others not? The answer isn’t really science or public health research, but rather historical precedent and racism. Maia Szalavitz, the author of a book called Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction, walks us through some of the racist campaigns against drugs that linked most of them with “violent” people of color. Take this New York Times story from 1914, headlined ““Negro Cocaine ‘Fiends’ Are a New Southern Menace: Murder and Insanity Increasing Among Lower Class Blacks Because They Have Taken to ‘Sniffing Since Deprived of Whiskey by Prohibition.’” White people said that drug use would make white women sleep with black, asian and latino men. That cocaine made black men impervious to bullets, and make them murder whites at the slightest provocation.

Today, the legacy of those racist ideas is still with us in the form of both drug laws and stereotypes about what a drug user looks like. Which impacts who goes to jail for drugs and who doesn’t.

Here are some statistics: in America, white people and black people are equally likely to use drugs. But black Americans are arrested at twice the rate of white americans for drug crimes. Not only that, but black Americans are more likely to be offered a plea deal that involves prison time than whites are for the same crimes, and are more likely to serve longer sentences than white Americans for the same offense.

Here’s another way to look at it: Black Americans represent 12% of monthly drug users, but comprise 32% of persons arrested for drug possession. And when we’re looking at drug arrests, it’s a huge number of people. Between 1993 and 2011 there were 30 million arrests for drug crimes in the United States, and 24 million of those were for possession of drugs, not selling them.

And while Mark and Maia disagree on a lot of things regarding drug policy, this was one thing they actually agreed on: they both think that possession of small amounts of drugs should be decriminalized.

And I talked to a third person for this episode who agrees. And he’s not someone you’d expect to do so. Officer Tim Johnson, a retired cop. Tim is part of a program called LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. He joined as soon as he retired, because despite making a whole lot of drug arrests while he was a cop, he didn’t feel like they were actually making a difference. And there’s data to support that feeling. Studies have shown that while we’ve arrested a whole lot of people for drug possession, the rate of drug abuse hasn’t gone down.

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Revenge of the Retweet Jul 26, 2016

Today we try to figure out what happens when our future presidential candidates have thousands of Tweets and Tumblr posts and Instagrams in their online record.

What happens, when today’s teens start running for office? When their entire internet history is there, searchable, for us to read? What if these teens Tweet something at 15 that they might regret at 45? Do we learn to accept that their opinions have changed? Or do we go through every candidate's entire social media history to find dirt on them? Does that tactic still work in the future? Or do we all just throw up our hands and admit that teens have bad opinions and that hopefully those opinions have changed?

To find out, I talked to a real live young person with political ambitions, Eve Zhurbinskiy a student at George Washington University. She describes her own social media strategy, and how she never Tweets without thinking about how it might come back to bite her. She also talks about going back and deleting Facebook posts and even in one case her entire Tumblr because she thought it might be used against her.

And that’s not paranoid, I also talk to someone who tracks that kind of thing among politicians. Josh Stewart from the Sunlight Foundation explains what Politwoops is and why they’re tracking the deleted Tweets of politicians.

And to round things out this episode I talked to someone who’s got a lot of experience managing digital campaigns for today’s politicians. Laura Olin was one of the first hires for Obama’s 2012 digital team, and she not only ran the Obama Tumblr, but she also actually Tweeted as the President.

Throughout the episode we discuss all kinds of questions about how we think about and forgive humans.

In March of this year, a State Supreme Court justice from Wisconsin named Rebecca Bradley issued an apology for some columns that she wrote 24 years ago in a student newspaper. In the columns she referred to gay people as “queers” and called people with AIDS “degenerates who basically commit suicide through their behavior.” She also said that it would be better to get AIDS than cancer, because, quote “those afflicted with the politically correct disease will be getting all of the funding.” And that abortion is like the Holocaust and slavery.

Bradley says that she was, quote “frankly embarrassed at the content and tone of what I wrote those many years ago” but she also said that when she wrote them, she was “a very young student.” Now the release of these 24 year old columns wasn’t random, the organization that found the columns unveiled them just a month before voters in Wisconsin would vote on whether or not Bradley should retain her seat on the court.

People who wanted Bradley off the court, said that the comments in the columns were so hateful that time didn’t really matter. People who wanted Bradley to say said that she had grown and learned since then, and did not still hold those beliefs. (To be clear, there was also a contingent of people who supported Bradley because they still do hold those beliefs).

So, voters in Wisconsin could decide. And they decided to keep her, Bradley won her seat back. So you could interpret that as evidence that past transgressions can be forgiven, right?

So this brings us to one version of this future. A future in which voters learn to approach their candidates as flawed individuals, people who have made missteps, people who can change their mind. This isn’t to say that we let people off the hook for their past, but rather that we are okay with them saying “I was wrong, and here’s how I’ve changed for the better.”

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Where’s the Beef? Aug 10, 2016

Today we go to a future where animal products are banned. It’s one that lots of listeners have asked for so here you go. We talk about what happens to the land, the animals and the humans in this equation.

In this episode we discuss the arguments in favor and against banning meat. How does that impact culture? Why should we do it? Does it help or hurt the environment? Can you really grow meat in a lab? And is that meat vegan?

First we talked to folks in the “ban the meat” camp. Marta Zaraska, the author of Meathooked: The History and Science of Our 2.5-Million-Year Obsession With Meat, tells us about the evolution of meat consumption and why we don’t actually need meat to survive. Then, David Agranoff, the author of The Vegan Revolution with Zombies, makes the vegan argument.

Then we talk about the environmental argument in favor of kicking our global meat habit. And as promised here are the citations for the statistics I talk about.

In 2014, the entire world produced 315.3 million tonnes of meat from cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. 1.3 billion tons of grain is consumed by those animals every year as feed. Livestock production uses about a third of the world’s fresh water every year, and contributes about between 14 and 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, depending on whose numbers you trust. Fourteen to eighteen percent might not seem like that much, but it is. That’s about the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions that come from the transportation sector every year. And a recent study in Science suggested that increases in livestock farming go hand in hand with decreases in biodiversity. Livestock, both the actual animals and the plants we grow to feed them, also takes up a lot of land. According to the United Nations, twenty six percent of the land on this planet is used for livestock.

After that, we hear about why it’s so hard for many people to give up meat, and how culturally important foods can be. To help us with that segment, we talk to Psyche Williams-Forson, a professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland and the author of a book called Building Houses Out of Chicken Legs: Black Women, Food, and Power. Psyche explains why people get so angry and frustrated when you tell them what to eat.

Then we hear from listeners about what you think!

After the break, we talked about lab grown meat, and whether or not you can grow animal products in the lab. And are those products vegan? Could they be? Researcher Abi Aspen Glencross explains her work on trying to grow steaks in the lab.

Then we round out the episode with a surprise guest: my grandma. She grew up on a farm and then farmed sheep until she retired. And she had some very good questions about this future.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Broke for Free. Special thanks this week to Caroline Sinders, Jess Zimmerman, Kevin Wojtaszek, and John Olier. The break music is by Black Ant and the episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

That's all for this future! Come back soon for a new one.

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The Witch Who Came From Mars Sep 05, 2016

Today we do something weird, in honor of the end of the second season! Instead of coming up with a future and then finding experts to talk about it, I asked an AI to write a future for us. And the AI apparently wants us to talk about space travel, witches, and the occult.

So here’s what happened in this episode. I asked Mike Rugnetta, the creator and host of PBS Idea Channel and Reasonably Sound, to help me create a script for Flash Forward. Mike had done this for his own channel a few months ago.

Around the same time that Idea Channel video came out there was this short film that came out called Sunspring which was written by an AI named Benjamin. The guys behind Benjamin fed a neural network a huge corpus of science fiction scripts, everything from Avatar to Armageddon to Resident Evil to Spiderman. And they asked that AI to write them a script. And then they spent one day with a cast, filming the movie that Benjamin wrote for them. I totally recommend watching it.

And so I thought, what if, I fed an AI all the future scenes we’ve ever done on this show, and asked it to write one for me? And then, I have to figure out what that future is, and how we would get there. So that’s what we’re going to do on this episode. I compiled all the futures we’ve ever traveled to on this show, and sent them to Mike, and he fed them to this neural network he already had set up to make his video. And he then sent me the results. And what came out that first time was just complete nonsense. Because the system really needs more material than I had to feed it. On the show we’ve traveled to 41 futures, which in the grand scheme of things actually isn’t all that much text. So on top of all the futures we’ve done, I added two big chunks of text: the script for The War of the Worlds, and the script for the 1979 Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio play.

And here’s what the AI wrote. You can see the full script (and leave your interpretation of the AI future) here.

I will confess that my first thought when I read the script was: “what the hell am I supposed to do with this?” But, I am never one to back down from a challenge, even if that challenge is self imposed, so I sent this little intro to a bunch of smart people, and asked them what future they saw here.

First we talk to Miriam Kramer, the senior space reporter at Mashable, about how easy (or hard) it would be for witches to travel to and from Mars.

Then I called up Annalee Newitz, to get her take on the witches and how the themes in this scene fit in with the broader science fiction landscape. (Fun fact, Annalee is the person who first asked me to do a podcast for Gizmodo, and thereby birthed Flash Forward! Yay Annalee!)

Then we turn our attention to the witches, and bring back Damien Williams, who you heard on our episode about conscious AI. Damien writes a lot about technology and the occult (I recommend this 2015 Theorizing the Web panel about it, featuring him and lots of other smart people) and he weighs in on the future of witches, how tech and magic aren’t all that different, and what the AI might mean by “behanding.”

And last but not least, we talk to the brains and voices behind Spirits Pod, a new podcast about mythology. Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin have been best friends since childhood, and co-host a podcast all about myths and legends that I very much enjoy. And the two of them had all sorts of fun and interesting stuff to say about this witchy future.

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How is Babby (Not) Made Nov 03, 2016

What happens when everybody has 100% control over when they do or don’t have babies? We got to a world with perfect and accessible birth control. You asked for a utopia, and this is as close as we're going to get!

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Extra! Extra! Dec 06, 2016

This week we travel to a future where there is so much fake news that nobody can tell what is real anymore. Are we already there? What happens next?

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Robocrop Jan 03, 2017

Today’s episode is about a future where nobody works on farms anymore, all farming is done by robots. It might be closer than you think.

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Greetings From Paradice Feb 07, 2017

Every year, over 20 million people get on a cruise ship and set sail for a seafaring vacation. Most of those cruises take their vacationers to warm, sunny climates. But thanks to climate change, a new hoard of ships might start sailing North rather than South. This episode of Flash Forward explores a future where the Arctic becomes a tourist destination just like the Bahamas or the Great Barrier Reef.

Researchers at UCLA have projected that the Northwest Passage might be totally ice-free by 2050. And that’s something that big commercial cargo ships have been eyeing for a while. But now, cruise ships are getting in on the game. The first big cruise ship to make the full Northwest Passage trip was the Crystal Serenity.

This week we talk to a few people who have seen the impacts of this new tourism boom.

Arielle Duhaime-Ross is a climate and environment correspondent for HBO’s VICE News Tonight. Arielle went up to Pond Inlet to see the Crystal Serenity, and talk to the people in Pond Inlet about what it's like to suddenly be flooded with visitors in puffy coats.

Jackie Dawson is the Canada Research Chair in Environment, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa. She’s done a lot of work studying the ways tourism impacts people and the environment in places like Pond Inlet. And she spent years trying to convince people to take arctic tourism seriously.

Nancy Guyon is the Director of Tourism and Cultural Industries for Nunavut, the northernmost Canadian territory. And Nancy’s job is to try and figure out how to harness this new interest in the arctic for the good of Nunavut.

So this future is a little bit unlike some of the other ones I do on this show, because it’s a future that’s kind of inevitable. It’s happening, it’s going to happen. Are communities ready for it? No, is the general consensus. And in this episode we talk about what might happen as this gets more and more popular. What happens when a ship hits and iceberg? What happens when private yachts show up to communities that don't want them? How do you make sure that these ships don't disrupt local hunts, and that the tourists respect the people living in these communities?

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

The music in this episode was:

BoxCat Games, “Assignment”

BoxCat Games, “Love of my Life”

Oorlab, “Apiarist, Part 1”

Sounds in this episode: "Wind, Synthesized, A.wav" by InspectorJ of Freesound.org

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California Dreaming Mar 07, 2017

California has one of the largest economies in the world. So what would happen if it broke away from the United States? Could California ever go independent? And if it did, what would that look like?

This is a future that’s been on my list for a while, but since the election here in the United States it’s taken a bit of a different tone. California voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, 66 percent of the state cast their votes for her. And as most of you probably know, she did not win. And this is one of the big talking points of many California secessionists. The presidential election is almost alway totally decided before California’s polls even close. So why should California continue to be ruled by a government that it basically doesn’t elect? And, they argue, that doesn’t really have their best interests at heart.

To help figure out what this future might be like, I talked to:

Peter Laufer, a journalist and the author of a book called The Elusive State of Jefferson.

Jon Christensen, a professor at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and the Department of History at UCLA. He’s also the editor of a quarterly magazine about California called Boom.

Jay Rooney, the press secretary for the California National Party.

Richard Monette, a professor of law at the University of Wisconsin and the director of the Great Lakes Indian Law Center.

If you want to learn more about the various California independence movements, here are some links.

The California National Party

Yes, California Independence Campaign

Secession, the American Civil War

Calexit? Brexit Buoys California Independence Movement

Active separatists movements in North America

Republic of Lakotah

One in four Americans want their state to secede from the U.S., but why?

Americans for Independence, in America

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Special thanks this week to Sameer Ajmani, Jade Davis, Brent Rose, Jim Basili, Caroline Sinders and Scott Musgrove. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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Unreel Apr 04, 2017

This month on Flash Forward, we go to a future where anybody can make a video of you doing anything they want. And that technology is cheap and easy to access. What happens?

This episode we start by talking about the technology as it exists now. Hamed Pirsiavash the show to explain his research into generating videos using algorithms.

So that’s where the technology stands now. But once it gets better, there are all kinds of applications. Hal Hodson, a tech reporter at The Economist, tells us about how it could be used in movies. Right now, movie-makers use CGI to project faces onto other faces. Recently, in the latest Star Wars, the faces of Princess Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin from the original trilogy were projected onto actors faces for the few scenes in the new movie. Here’s a look at how they did it.

But in the future, they might not have to do any of this. They could simply generate the video they need using images of Leia and Tarkin’s faces. Which also means that movie stars could wind up being in hundreds of movies a year, since they don’t have to actually be there, on set, to act. And they could keep acting in movies long after they’ve died, too.

That’s a fun thing to think about. Here’s a less fun thing to think about: how people would use this technology to seek revenge and ruin people’s lives. And to talk through the legal implications, I called Carrie Goldberg, a lawyer who specializes in revenge porn cases. She explains how these generated videos of the future would actually get around today’s revenge porn laws.

Then, to wrap it all up, I talk to Jenna Wortham, a writer for the New York Times Magazine and the co-host of an amazing podcast called Still Processing. In a world where online identities are not only personally valuable, but economically valuable, what does this do to us? When anybody can torpedo your finely crafted online persona with a fake video, do we all just give up? Do we try to erase everything from the internet about ourselves? Or do we lean into this and start making wild aspirational and experimental videos? Or maybe all of the above?

Bonus: You will also find out what butter, The Falkland Islands, and Snakes on a Train have in common. According to Rose.

Some further reading for this episode:

The Attorney Fighting Revenge Porn

Social Media Got You Down? Be More Like Beyonce

The future of fake news is real time video manipulation

The Butter Wars: When Margarine Was Pink

The British Punk Band That Fooled Reagan, Thatcher and the CIA

Introduction to Generative Adversarial Networks

Teaching Machines to Predict the Future

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth, and is part of the Boing Boing podcast family. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Special thanks this week to Wendy Hari, Jacki Sojico and Dan Tannenbaum. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time, and we’ll travel to a new one!

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Robocop May 02, 2017

In this future there are no more human police officers. Is that even possible?

The future of policing is a really really complicated topic. And it’s also, and this might be the understatement of the year, a controversial one. On this episode we’re not going to try and give you a full picture of what the future of policing might be. That would take hours. Instead, we’re going to focus on two really specific pieces of this topic.

First we talk to Madeline Ashby, futurist and science fiction writer, about robots, and what it might be like if we replaced human law enforcement with robotic law enforcement. Then, we talk to historian and writer Walidah Imarisha, about a future with no cops at all. We also hear from Doug Wyllie, the Editor at Large for PoliceOne, who, perhaps unsurprisingly, doesn't like either proposal.

Further reading:

Disrupt Tha Police by Madeline Ashby

Bomb Robots: What Makes Killing In Dallas Different And What Happens Next?

Robocop Delivers Pizza, Prevents Suicide

11 Police Robots Patrolling Around the World

Machine Bias

Hard Truths: Law Enforcement and Race

Angels with Dirty Faces

Wrestling With Angels: Walidah Imarisha on Harm and Accountability

Audre Lord Safe Outside the System Collective

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Special thanks this week to Brent Rose. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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Back to the Future: A Womb Away From Home May 18, 2017

Long time listeners of Flash Forward might feel like this future is kind of… familiar. And it is. It’s actually the first future we ever traveled to on this show. A future where humans have invented artificial wombs. And this is a special bonus episode of Flash Forward where we’re going to go back and revisit that future, because a new piece of research recently came out about artificial wombs. I’m calling this, a BACK TO THE FUTURE episode.

Further reading:

'Intergalactic Travel Bureau' Wants to Plan Your Space Vacation

Vacation to Mars

Everything About Mars is the Worst

Welcome To Mars! Enjoy Perpetual Jet Lag Under An Eerie Red Sky

Mars Needs Lawyers

Life on Mars time for JPL scientist and his family

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next month and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Love On The Brain Jul 05, 2017

This episode, we travel to a future where your romantic partners aren’t chosen by questions or swipes, but rather by your brainwaves.

This future is based on an idea from Shelly Ronan and Ernesto D. Morales and their project Object Solutions. If you liked what you heard about Object Solutions you should check out their other work, and their Patreon page.

I also talked to Suzanne Dikker, who has used EEG headsets to study everything from education, to Marina Abramovic’s art, to compatability.

And to get a true expert position on dating apps, I talked to Andrea Silenzi from the podcast Why Oh Why. If you’re interested in the intersection between sex, dating, relationships and technology, check out her show.

Further reading:

What Would It Take to Completely Sterilize the Earth?

The Resilience of Life to Astrophysical Events

Did a gamma-ray burst initiate the late Ordovician mass extinction?

NASA: Gamma-ray Bursts

Flash Forward: The Supernova Next Door

'The Fifth Season,' by N.K. Jemisin

N. K. Jemisin on Diversity in Science Fiction and Inspiration From Dreams

The Tardigrade: Practically Invisible, Indestructible ‘Water Bears’

Tardigrades return from the dead

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next month and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Piraceuticals Oct 03, 2017

This episode we go to a future with pirates! There always has to be at least one pirate episode per season. This time it’s pharmaceutical pirates.

This episode was inspired by a new book by Annalee Newitz called Autonomous. It’s very good and you should read it. I am not being paid to say that, I just really like the book.

Autonomous tells the story of two main characters: Jack the pharmaceutical pirate, and Palladin the bot that is trying to hunt her down. A few cool links related to Autonomous:

How to Write a Novel Set More Than 125 Years in the Future

Robots need civil rights, too

Sword and Laser podcast #306 - Indentured Robotude w/ Annalee Newitz

Pirates and Robots Square Off Over Drugs in Annalee Newitz’s Debut Novel

In A Future Ruled By Big Pharma, A Robot Tentatively Explores Freedom — And Sex: 'Autonomous'

For our episode, we focused on the pharmaceutical piracy part of the book. And to talk to us about the nitty gritty of how pharmaceuticals are made, and how they’re protected by patents, I talked to Jason Kahana, the founder and president of a small biotech company called Integrity Biosolutions, and Charles Duan, the director of the Patent Reform Project at Public Knowledge. [Full disclosure: my father and Jason know each other and have worked together in the past.]

These Aren’t the Patent Remedies You’re Looking For (No, Really)

Teva Pharmaceuticals Antitrust Settlement is a Win for Competition

Martin Shkreli Is Big Pharma’s Biggest A**hole

Drug C.E.O. Martin Shkreli Arrested on Fraud Charges

Yusuf Hamied, generic drugs boss

The Treasure of Mumbai

Pharmaceutical deformulation

The Role of Reverse Engineering in the Development of Generic Formulations

The Impact of the US Food and Drug Administration Chlorofluorocarbon Ban on Out-of-pocket Costs and Use of Albuterol Inhalers Among Individuals With Asthma

Do Patents Disclose Useful Information?

We Are Definitely Against Indefiniteness in Patents

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro and ad-break music is by Hussalonia. The pirate music from the intro is by Nerve Damage. The future voices this episode were played by Tamara Krinsky, Brent Rose and Stephen Granade. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! We have a Patreon page, where you can donate to the show. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next month and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Buzz Off Oct 17, 2017

In this episode we travel to a world without bees. And not just honey bees, all bees.

You’ve probably heard a lot of doom and gloom predictions about what might happen if honey bees went extinct. Mass famine! The end of coffee! World economic collapse! But is that all true? (Probably not.) And how likely is a honeybee extinction anyway? (Extremely unlikely.) Plus, what about all the other bees in the world? We ponder these questions and more in this episode.

To walk us through what might happen to agriculture if bees went away, I talked to Marcelo A. Aizen, a researcher who studies plant pollinator interactions. His research suggests that the loss of honeybees might not be as dire as everybody claims. And to talk about the more neglected bees out there, I called up Elaine Evans, a professor at the University of MInnesota’s Bee Lab, and Paige Embry, the author of the forthcoming book Our Native Bees: North America’s Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them.

Plus, a little bonus “what if” at the end, featuring cartoonist Dean Yeagle, the man who drew the original Honey Nut Cheerios bee.

Further reading:

How much does agriculture depend on pollinators? Lessons from long-term trends in crop production (PDF)

How to befriend bumblebees

What if bees went extinct?

Why bees are disappearing

Citizen Science: Bumble Bee Surveys

Has Anybody Seen the Franklin’s Bumblebee?

Franklin’s Bumblebee Still Elusive

The Old Man and the Bee

Wallace’s Giant Bee

Honey Nut Cheerios Mascot Goes Missing as Brand Addresses Declining Bee Populations

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The future voice this episode was provided by Mike Rugnetta. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. I love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Easy Bake Organs Oct 31, 2017

This episode we take on a future full of bioprinted replacement organs. You asked for more hopeful futures, this is about as hopeful as they get!

We start by hearing a bit about what the current organ donation market is like from Christine Gentry, who donated a kidney to a stranger. Then we talk to Dr. Anthony Atala, the Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and of the world’s leading regenerative medicine specialists. Dr. Atala has implanted organs grown from the cells of patients themselves in clinical trials. Then Kelly and Zach Weinersmith join us to talk about what they learned while writing a chapter about bioprinting for their new book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything. And finally, we get an impassioned indictment of 3D printing file formats from Meghan McCarthy, Project Lead for the NIH 3D Print Exchange.

Further reading:

Organ Donation Statistics

Neural and cognitive characteristics of extraordinary altruists

Boston woman's donation creates 3rd-longest kidney transplant chain, saving 28 people

The Doctor and the Salamander

How An Economist Helped Patients Find The Right Kidney Donors

TED Talk: Printing a Human Kidney

Rebuilding the Breast

Soonish: Zach and Kelly Weinersmith on 10 technologies that will change everything

Online Course Bioprinting: 3D Printing Body Parts

Scientists 3-D Print Mouse Ovaries That Actually Make Babies

If you’re interested in becoming a living organ donor and want to know what it’s like, you can get in touch with Christine Gentry. Her email is christine.gentry at gmail.com, and she’s all about helping people understand donation.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Our intro future voices were skillfully provided by Alyssa Mondelli, BW and Josh Kirby. The music from the intro was by Unheard Music Concepts, PC III and Soft and Furious. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Deceptible Me Nov 14, 2017

This episode we travel to a future where you can choose to turn off your ability to deceive yourself. Are you now a perfectly clear eyed genius? Or a perpetually depressed misanthrope? Maybe both?

This episode was suggested by my mom. It begins with two tales of self deception, one from Jacquelyn Gill, an assistant professor of paleo-ecology at the University of Maine and the host of a podcast about climate change called Warm Regards, and the other from Beth Duckles, a writer, researcher, ethnographer and social scientist. Then we talk to Zoë Chance, an assistant professor of marketing at the Yale School of Management and an expert on self-deception. After that, we go to therapy, and Chamin Ajjan, a clinical psychotherapist and author of Seeking Soulmate: Ditch the Dating Game and Find Real Connection explains what she does when she sees a case of self-deception in her office. And finally, Erik Vance, science journalist and author of Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal helps us understand what might really happen if we could truly turn off this ability to deceive ourselves.

Further reading:

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Self Deception

The Elements of a Scientific Theory of Self-Deception

People don’t know when they’re lying to themselves

Temporal view of the costs and benefits of self-deception

The slow decay and quick revival of self-deception

DENIAL: Self-Deception, False Beliefs, and the Origins of the Human Mind

Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal

Seeking Soulmate: Ditch the Dating Game and Find Real Connection

Patrons are going to get a really fun bonus segment next week that didn’t quite make it into this episode. It’s about hypnosis. So if you want that, go to Patreon and sign up as a $5 donor!

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voice from this episode’s future was provided by Cynthia Graber. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Our Father, Who art in Algorithm Nov 28, 2017

In this episode, we travel to a future where a tech mogul feeds a machine learning system all the religious texts he can find, and asks it to generate a “super religion.”

Buckle up because this is a long episode! But it’s fun, I promise.

For the intro of this episode I worked with Janelle Shane to actually train a machine learning algorithm on a big chunk of religious texts that I assembled, and spit something back out. The specifics of the texts and the machine learning algorithm come with a handful of caveats and notes, which you can find at the bottom of this post. Janelle has done of ton of really funny, interesting things with machine learning algorithms that you can find here.

To analyze the text that this algorithm generated, and talk about the limitations of this kind of project, I spoke with a big group of people from a variety of backgrounds:

Linda Griggs is an Episcopal priest and an assisting priest at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Providence Rhode Island.

Lauren O’Neal and Niko Bakulich are the hosts of a podcast called Sunday School Dropouts, whose tagline is: "an ex-Christian (Lauren) and a non-believing sort of Jew (Niko) read all the way through the Bible for the first time."

Elias Muhanna is the Manning Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at Brown University, and director of the Digital Islamic Humanities Project.

Beth Duckles is a sociologist (who you heard last episode talking about peanut allergies).

Carol Edelman Warrior is an Assistant Professor of English at Cornell’s American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program. She is also enrolled with the Ninilchik Village Tribe (Dena'ina Athabascan / Alutiiq), and is also of A'aninin (Gros Ventre) descent.

Mark Harris is a journalist who writes about technology, science and business for places like WIRED, The Guardian and IEEE Spectrum. He wrote a great piece about Anthony Levandowski’s new religion of artificial intelligence called Way of the Future.

Further Reading:

Sunday School Dropouts: Robobible

Inside the First Church of Artificial Intelligence

God is a Bot and Anthony Levandowski is His Messenger

Way of the Future

Nine Billion Names by Arthur C. Clarke

Dataism + Machine Learning = New Religion

Machine Learning May Help Determine When the Old Testament Was Written

Indigenous Writers of Speculative Fiction

Aztec Philosophy: Understanding a World in Motion

The Space NDN's Star Map

Borrowed Power: Essays on Cultural Appropriation

For more caveats on the algorithm itself and the source text, see here.

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There’s No Great Future in Plastics Dec 12, 2017

This episode is all about a world without plastic. What would that look like? Is it even possible?

Today, plastic is seen as one of our great environmental enemies. But it actually wasn’t always that way. Bradford Harris, a historian of science and the host of a podcast called How It Began: A History of the Modern World, and Susan Freinkel, a journalist and the author of Plastic: A Toxic Love Story, walk us through how plastic started out as a solution to unsustainable practices. Then we talk to Sherry Lippiatt, California Regional Coordinator for the NOAA Marine Debris Program, about what exactly is going on with garbage in the ocean. And finally I visit Danielle Trofe at her studio in Brooklyn, where she grows sustainable materials using mushrooms.

Further reading:

Debbie Chachra on peak plastics

"On a scale beyond all previous conceptions" [electronic resource] : plastics and the preservation of modernity

Bradford Harris: Plastics and Sustainability

Our 'Toxic' Love-Hate Relationship With Plastics

99 Percent Invisible: The Post-Billiards Age

Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean

There Is No Island of Trash in the Pacific

Global Plastic Production Rises, Recycling Lags

Different Types of Plastics and their Classification

Health risks posed by use of Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in PVC medical devices: A critical review

How Stuff Works: bioplastics

Taxation and Regulation of Plastic Shopping Bags in Botswana and South Africa

GROW: A Lamp YOU Grow from Mushroom Mycelium

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voices from the future this episode were provided by Lisa Pollak, Arielle Duhaime-Ross, Brent Rose, Victor Dorff and Mary Beth Griggs. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Countless Dec 26, 2017

This episode we travel to a future where the 2020 census goes haywire. What happens if we don’t get an accurate count of Americans? Who cares? Apparently the constitution does!

The 2020 census is currently in the crosshairs — census watchers say that it’s not getting enough funding, and community organizations and local governments are already worrying about what an inaccurate census might mean for their people.

To walk us through the current perils facing the census I talked to Hansi Lo Wang, a national correspondent for NPR who has been covering the census; Phil Sparks, the co-director of The Census Project, an organization that brings together groups who use census data; Susan Lerner, the director of Common Cause New York, a government watchdog group; Cayden Mak, the executive director of 18 Million Rising, an online organizing group that works with Asian American communities; and Dawn Joelle Fraser, a storyteller and communications coach who worked for the census in 2010.

Further reading:

Could A Census Without A Leader Spell Trouble In 2020?

US Census Director Resigns Amid Turmoil Over Funding of 2020 Count

Departure of U.S. Census director threatens 2020 count

The 2020 Census is at risk. Here are the major consequences

With 2020 Census Looming, Worries About Fairness and Accuracy

Trump's threat to the 2020 Census

NAACP lawsuit alleges Trump administration will undercount minorities in 2020 Census

Census 2020: How it’s supposed to work (and how it might go terribly wrong)

Census watchers warn of crisis if 2020 funding is not increased

Likely Changes in US House Seat Distribution for 2020

What Census Calls Us: A Historical Timeline

As 2020 Census Approaches, Worries Rise Of A Political Crisis After The Count

The American Census: a social history by Margo J. Anderson

The Story Collider podcast: Dawn Fraser, The Mission

Note: This is the second to last episode of this season of Flash Forward! The last episode drops January 9th, and then the show will be in hiatus for a few months while I prep for season 4, which is going to be great I can already assure you! If you want to follow along with the prep for season 4, and just generally keep up with what's going on with the show and when it's coming back stay in touch via Twitter, Facebook , Reddit, or, best of all, Patreon, where I'll post behind the scenes stuff as I get ready for the next Flash Forward adventures.

Also, I’m going on tour with PopUp Magazine in February! Get your tickets at popupmagazine.com.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Special thanks this week to Liz Neeley who voiced our discouraged bureaucrat. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

As a bonus, at the end of this episode, you'll hear a human chorus record a psalm that was written by Janelle Shane's machine learning algorithm. (Remember her from the super religion episode?) and arranged by Hamish Symington and Owain Park.

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You’ve Got Brainmail Jan 09, 2018

In our last episode of the season, we take one one of the most requested futures: telepathy! What would it be like to be able to link minds, and communicate brain to brain? And how likely is it that we’ll ever get this kind of technology?

We start the episode by talking to Roger Luckhurst, a Professor in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Birkbeck, University of London, who explains where the word telepathy comes from, and how it totally obsessed men of science in the early 1800’s. Then, futurist and science fiction author Ramez Naam walks us through both the current state of science and the futuristic world of his science fiction series Nexus, that centers around a drug that gives people telepathic powers. After that, we consider what a future full of telepathic people might mean for etiquette with Robin Abrahams, the etiquette columnist for the Boston Globe. And then we talk privacy and digital security with Kit Walsh, a a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. And we finish out the episode by talking to Lateef McLeod, a poet, blogger, activist and doctoral student in the anthropology and social change program at California Institute for Integral Studies, about how those with complex communication needs might appreciate a new form of communication.

Further reading:

The largest deep-ocean silicic volcanic eruption of the past century

Tsunami hazard risk of a future volcanic eruption of Kolumbo submarine volcano, NE of Santorini Caldera, Greece

Volcanic ash as fertiliser for the surface ocean

The Submarine Volcano Eruption off El Hierro Island: Effects on the Scattering Migrant Biota and the Evolution of the Pelagic Communities

What is law of the sea?

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Principality of Sealand: Nation Building by Individuals

Sealand, Havenco and the Rule of Law

Hunga Tonga volcano eruption forms new S Pacific island

This episode was suggested by listener and long-time friend of the show Charlie Loyd.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. I love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Fitness in a Bottle Apr 24, 2018

Some people love going to the gym. Some people hate it. But what if there was a pill that could replace exercise? Today’s future might actually be closer than you think.

Today’s guests:

Nicola Twilley, co-host of Gastropod and New Yorker writer

David Eveleth, my dad and biotech expert

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, historian and co-host of Past Present

Sigmund Loland, philosopher of sports at Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Casey Johnston, editor at The Outline, author of Ask a Swole Woman

Robert, my boyfriend

Further reading can be found here, including background documents, research papers, suggested books and more.

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Enter the Exos May 08, 2018

This episode we talk exoskeletons: what are they being used for now? What might they be used for in the future? And what happens when they’re everywhere?

Guests:

Tim Pote, PhD student at Virginia Tech

Greg Pote, Tim’s brother

Dr. Bill Marras, professor at The Ohio State University & Director of the Spine Research Institute

Larry Jasinksi, CEO, Rewalk

Ashley Shew, assistant professor at Virginia Tech in technology & disability, and author of Animal Constructions and Technological Knoweldge

Kim Sauder, graduate student in Disability Studies, author of Crippled Scholar blog

Bill Peace, anthropologist & bioethicist, author of Bad Cripple blog

Further Reading:

The robotic exoskeleton market is poised to grow to $1.9 billion in 2025, compared to $97 million in 2016, says ABI Research's Dan Kara.

Berkeley BLEEX Exoskeleton

Exoskeletons Won’t Turn Assembly Workers into Iron Man

We Try a New Exoskeleton for Construction Workers

The Exoskeletons Are Coming

ReWalk Testimonials

For heavy lifting, use exoskeletons with caution

Biomechanical evaluation of exoskeleton use on loading of the lumbar spine

Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load

The effects of a passive exoskeleton on muscle activity, discomfort and endurance time in forward bending work.

The Exoskeleton’s Hidden Burden

Walking is Over Rated

The Obsession With Walking

Exoskeletons as a Social Problem

You Cannot Kill a Bad Idea: The Exoskeleton Lives

ReWalk: A Plea for Common Sense

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voice of the future historian from the intro was by Sarah Werner. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

For more about the show or this episode go HERE.

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Federal Project Two May 22, 2018

Guests:

Susan Quinn, author of Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art out of Desperate Times and other books.

Monet Noelle Marshall, playwright, consultant, artist, director, founder of JOCOAA.

Monica Byrne, novelist, playwright, futurist, activist.

Further Reading:

Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art out of Desperate Times by Susan Quinn

The New Deal Art Projects, An Anthology of Memoirs by Francis V. O’Connor

Engendering Culture: Manhood and Womanhood In New Deal Public Art and Theater by Barbara Medosh

American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the WPA:When FDR Put the Nation to Work by Nick Taylor

The Subsidized Muse: Public Support for the Arts in the United States by Dick Netzer

The American Guide to the New Vermont

After the Curtain Calls

Creator of the Week with Monica Byrne

What if Trump Really Does End Money for the Arts?

Global Trends in Art Funding

How the United States Funds the Arts

Culturally Impoverished: US NEA Spends 1/40th of What Germany Doles Out for Arts Per Capita

Why Are Americans So Hostile to State-Funded Art?

Orson Welles’ Voodoo Macbeth: A forgotten diversity landmark

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voice of your future president was played by Andrea Klunder, the Producer & host of The Creative Impostor and Podcast Envy podcasts. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool. And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to Apple Podcasts and leave us a nice review. Or just tell your friends about the show!

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We Are Family Jun 05, 2018

With the rise in consumer DNA tests and online genealogy, people might soon have a pretty good idea where their families came from for generations. But are we putting too much faith in DNA? Can our genetic ancestry really tell us anything about ourselves? And what happens when DNA databases become playgrounds for true crime sleuths?

Guests:

Carl Zimmer, science journalist and author of She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions and Potential of Heredity

Kristen V. Brown, biotechnology reporter at Bloomberg

Kim Tallbear, author of Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science

Clan_McCrimmon, moderator of the Lyle Stevik subreddit

Colleen Fitzpatrick and Margaret Press, cofounders of DNA Doe

Kelly Hills, cofounder of Rogue Bioethics

Further Reading:

She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions and Potential of Heredity

Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science

The Garden of Invention: Luther Burbank and the Business of Breeding Plants

In an Age of Gene Editing and Surrogacy, What Does Heredity Mean?

How DNA Testing Botched My Family's Heritage, and Probably Yours, Too

DNA testing is like the 'Wild West'; should it be more tightly regulated?

DNA test kits: Consider the privacy implications

The ingenious and ‘dystopian’ DNA technique police used to hunt the ‘Golden State Killer’ suspect

The Strange Case of the Man With No Name

Web Sleuths: Lyle Stevik

Reddit: Lyle Stevik

GED Match

Active DNA Doe Cases

DNA Doe Lyle Stevik Press Release

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The Space Roomba Jun 19, 2018

This episode we take on a future where space junk has gotten so bad, that active spacecraft are constantly having to maneuver around it, which wastes fuel and cuts down on operation time. And humans decide to finally do something about it. But what?

Guests:

Loren Grush, science reporter at The Verge

Lisa Ruth Rand, historian of science technology and the environment.

Tiago Soares, systems engineer for ESA’s Clean Space program

Andrew Wolahan, systems engineer for ESA’s e.deorbit program

Alice Gorman, space archaeologist at Flinders University

Jill Stuart, space policy & law expert at the London School of Economics

Further Reading:

Tracking Space Junk

How can humans clean up our space junk?

The Space Junk Problem is About to get a Whole Lots Gnarlier

Orbital Decay: Space Junk and the Environmental History of Earth’s Planetary Borderlands

The Forgotten Cold War Plan That Put A Ring Of Copper Around The Earth

Project West Ford, NASA Repository

Japanese mission to clear up space junk ends in failure

This is what happens when a tiny piece of flying space debris hits the ISS

ESA Envisat

ESA Clean Space

ESA e.deorbit

Space Age Archaeology

What is Space Archaeology?

The Outer Space Treaty has been remarkably successful – but is it fit for the modern age?

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The space dispatcher from the top of the episode was played by Andrew Hackard. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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The Very Big Sick Jul 03, 2018

In 1918, the Spanish flu killed four to five percent of the entire global population. Infectious disease experts all agree that another pandemic is coming. It's when, not if. But are we ready for it? Today's episode explores what happens when a pandemic strikes, what the most likely candidates are, and whether or not the world is ready.

Guests:

Ed Yong, science writer at The Atlantic

Nahid Bhadelia, assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine and the Medical Director of Special Pathogens Unit (SPU) at Boston Medical Center

Laura Spinney, science writer and author of Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World

Nicola Twilley, co-host of Gastropod and author of a forthcoming book on quarantine

Further Reading:

The Next Plague is Coming. Is America Ready?

Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World

Yuuyaraq: The Way of the Human Being by Harold Napoleon

Strengthening Health Systems While Responding to a Health Crisis: Lessons Learned by a Nongovernmental Organization During the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in Sierra Leone

Medicine’s Long, Thin Supply Chain

What Bill Gates Fears Most

Predicting virus emergence amid evolutionary noise

Nebraska’s Biocontainment Unit

The Terrifying Lessons of a Pandemic Simulation

Clade X Livestream

CDC Director: Why I Don’t Support A Travel Ban To Combat The Ebola Outbreak

Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism

How prepared is the world for the next epidemic? This tool shows most countries are not.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voices from the future this episode were provided by Paul Krueger, Sean Raines, and Sameer Ajmani. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter, Facebook, info@flashforwardpod.com.

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Portrait Of The Artist As An Algorithm Jul 17, 2018

In today’s episode I welcome you to the Museum of Non-Human Art, a brand new gallery full of art made entirely by machines, computers, algorithms, robots and other non-human entities. I hope your enjoy your visit!

To see pictures of any of the artworks we talked about on this show head to the website!

Guests:

Elizabeth Stephens, Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Queensland

Michael Noll, computer artist, professor emeritus at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California

Ahmed Elgammel, director of the The Art & Artificial Intelligence Lab at Rutgers University

Orit Gat, art critic & writer

Xiaoyu Weng, Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Associate Curator of Chinese Art at the Guggenheim

Further Reading:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Bananas?

Machines in the Garden

Automata by Jacquet-Droz

The Story of Jacquet-Droz

When the Machine Made Art

"Incredible Machine" (1968) — main-title animation sequence for award-winning movie by Owen Murphy Productions for the American Telephone & Telegraph Company.

"Patterns by 7090," by Michael Noll

"Computer Generated Ballet" by Michael Noll

Human or Machine: A Subjective Comparison of Piet Mondrian’s ‘Composition with Lines’ and a Computer–Generated Picture

CAN: Creative Adversarial Networks Generating “Art” by Learning About Styles andDeviating from Style Norms

Quantifying Creativity in Art Networks Large-Scale Classification of Fine-Art Paintings: Learning the Right Metric on the Right Feature

A Computer Vision System for Artistic Influence Mining

Tales of Our Time Exhibit at the Guggenheim

Sun Yuan & Peng Yu: Tales of Our Time

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Want to send a note or idea? Spotted a reference? Email me at info@flashforwardpod.com. Want to donate? Head this way. Can't give money? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Tell a friend about the show!

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Under The Sea Jul 31, 2018

In the 1960's, the United States spent millions of dollars exploring two different realms: outer space, and the deep oceans. But today, only one of those programs is still around. Why do space colonies seem more likely than underwater cities? And what does it take to build a settlement on the sea floor?

Guests:

Ben Hellwarth, journalist and author of SEALAB: America's Forgotten Quest to Live and Work on the Ocean Floor

Jim Fourqurean, professor of Marine Science at Florida International University and the director of the Center for Coastal Oceans Research

Roger Garcia, operations director at Aquarius Reef Base

Katherine Sammler, assistant professor at California State University Maritime in the department of Global Studies & Maritime Affairs

Further Reading/Watching:

The Silent World

JFK's Moon Shot speech

JFK 1961 remarks on the ocean

JFK Address at the Anniversary Convocation of the National Academy of Sciences, 22 October 1963

SEALAB: America's Forgotten Quest to Live and Work on the Ocean Floor

To Tell The Truth featuring Bob Barth

I have lived underwater

Medina Aquarius Program

From the Ocean’s Abyss to the Vacuum of Space: Privatization in the Vertical Commons

National Governance Of Ocean Volumes

Subsuming the Submerged: Producing Seabeds as Political Territories.

Knowing the Abyss: Seeking Geographies of Ocean Space.

The Deep Pacific: Island Governance and Seabed Mineral Development.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Credits:

Produced by me, Rose Eveleth.

The intro music: Asura

Outtro music: Hussalonia.

Voices of the future this episode: Stephen Granade and Andrea Klunder.

Episode art: Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch at info@flashforwardpod.com.

Support the show.

Rate & review on Apple Podcasts.

Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

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Dr. Doolittle Aug 14, 2018

~~~~ TAKE THE SURVEY! (Please) ~~~~

Today we tackle the age-old question: what if animals could talk? Or, more precisely, what if we could actually understand what animals are saying?

Guests:

Con Slobodchikoff, professor at Northern Arizona University, CEO of Zoolingua, and author of Chasing Dr. Doolittle: Learning the Language of Animals.

Irene Pepperberg, professor of psychology Harvard University, author of Alex and Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence-and formed a Deep Bond in the Process

Alexandra Horowitz, professor at Barnard, head of dog cognition lab, author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

Ashley Shew, professor at Virginia Tech, author of Animal Constructions and Technological Knowledge

Keri Cronin, professor at Brock University, author of Art for Animals: Visual Culture and Animal Advocacy, 1875-1914

Further Reading:

The “Clever Hans Phenomenon” revisited

Lost in Translation: Koko the gorilla and language research

The Alex studies: cognitive and communicative abilities of grey parrot

Reddit AMA: I am Dr. Irene Pepperberg, research associate at Harvard in the field of avian cognition...ask me anything

Animal language studies: What happened?

Learn to sniff like a dog.

“‘Can’t You Talk?’: Voice and Visual Culture in Early Animal Welfare

(more reading at Flash Forward's main site)

Learn more about Twenty Thousand Hertz here

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Spawn of Sponcon Aug 28, 2018

On today’s episode we travel to the near-future of advertising. Welcome to a future in which you can sign up to be a brand ambassador, and get paid for every time you mention a product in conversation. Simply download the app, and your phone will listen to your every word waiting to hear brand names, and pay you some money every time you mention one.

Guests:

Deborah Dahl, speech technology expert and principal of Conversational Technologies

Lee Tien, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation

Lindsey Webber, writer, editor and cohost of the podcast Who? Weekly

Bobby Finger, writer at Jezebel and cohost of the podcast Who? Weekly

Kristen Strader, campaign coordinator for Public Citizen’s Commerical Alert program

🚀 Further reading and source notes can be found here 🚀

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Fungus Among Us Sep 11, 2018

How much of what you do is actually your choice? What if you were secretly being controlled by a parasite that had infected your brain? What if that infection was spreading?

Guests:

David Walton, author of The Genius Plague

Tade Thompson, author or Rosewater

Charissa de Bekker, researcher at the University of Central Florida

Sandeep Ravindran, science journalist

For additional reading and resources on this episode, visit flashforwardpod.com.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voices from the future this week were provided by Charles Anderson, David Dunsmuir, Anthony Friscia, Andrea Klunder and Brent Rose. Check out Brent’s project Connected States, in which he drives around the US in a big van, at http://www.connectedstates.com/. You can listen to Andrea’s podcast The Creative Imposter wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to be a voice in a future scene for Flash Forward, that is one of the perks of a $10 Patreon pledge! Whenever I need voices I send out a little note to those patrons and people can sign up to do one!

The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Who is amazing! You should check out their art AND you should go look at the new magazine that they’re creating at the comics website The Nib. Go to membership.thenib.com to learn more about that.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to Apple Podcasts and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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Money For Nothing Sep 25, 2018

What if we just gave everybody money? It sounds simple, but universal basic income is a trendy idea right now and a lot of you have asked for an episode about a future where everybody gets money from the government no matter what. And it turns out that while it sounds simple, just giving everybody money is way more complicated than you might thing.

Guests:Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, Senior editor at The Nation, author of The CosmopolitesShaksam Khosla, graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, author of India’s Basic Income: Bedeviled by the Details Aisha Nyandoro, CEO of Springboard to Opportunity Cara Rose deFabio, special initiatives director at Economic Security Project

→→ Further Reading Here ←←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The human voice from the future was provided by Daniel Tannenbaum. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

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Eyes In The Skies Oct 09, 2018

Computers are getting smaller and smaller. But what if we had sensors the size of dust, that could float through the air undetected, talk to one another, gather information, and transmit that information back down to a central place? This is the concept behind smart dust, and it's more plausible than you might think.

Guests:

Amy Webb, quantitative futurist and founder of the Future Today Institute

Faine Greenwood, journalist and drone expert

Stacey Higginbotham, journalist, co-host of the Internet of Things podcast

→ → More information band background reading at flashforwardpod.com ←←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Farm To Tablet Oct 23, 2018

On today’s episode we tackle a future that was once a staple of science fiction: food pills. Instead of shopping and cooking and sitting down to eat meals together, we all simply pop our nutritional pills and move along with our lives. How feasible is this, really? Where did the idea come from? And what does the rise and fall in the popularity of the idea say about our changing relationships to food, culture and politics?

Guests:

Annalee Newitz, science journalist and science fiction author, co-host of Our Opinions Are Correct

Charlie Jane Anders, science fiction author, co-host of Our Opinions Are Correct

Helen Rosner, food correspondent for the New Yorker

Rob McGinley Myers, writer and podcaster

Katie Gordon, associate professor of psychology at North Dakota State University and co-host of Jedi Counsel Podcast

Mike Rugnetta, producer of Reasonably Sound

Soleil Ho, food writer, co-host of Racist Sandwich, host of Popaganda

→→→ For more information about the guests, links, and further reading, go to https://www.flashforwardpod.com/2018/10/21/farm-to-tablet/ ←←←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The voices from the future for this episode were provided by Tony Garcia, Fernando Galdino and Ed Yong. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

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What To Expect When You're Expecting In Space Nov 06, 2018

If humans want to really have a go at leaving Earth and living in space or on other planets, we’re going to have to figure out a lot of things: spaceships, food supplies, fuel, how to keep everybody from killing one another. But one thing seems to be frequently left out of the picture, when it comes to distant space travel research: reproduction. It turns out we know very, very little about what pregnancy in space might look like, or whether it’s even possible at all.

Guests

Maggie Koerth-Baker: senior science writer at FiveThirtyEight

Kim Stanley Robinson: science fiction author of the Mars trilogy, The Years of Rice and Salt, 2312, Aurora and others, including a new book Red Moon.

Anicca Harriot: PhD student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, advocate for STEM outreach

→ → → Further reading and sources available at flashforwardpod.com ←←←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth.

Intro music by Asura

Outtro music by Hussalonia.

Episode art by Matt Lubchansky. Connect with us on: Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram

More about how to support the show HERE.

Go to iTunes and leave us a nice review!

If you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email info@flashforwardpod.com. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

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The Commute From Hell Nov 20, 2018

Getting from one place to another is hard. What if we could just teleport? From the physics of how this would work (it wouldn’t) to the ripple effects it might have on politics, urban development, and tourism, this episode is all about what would happen if we could zip instantly from one place to another.

Guests

Matt Lubchansky, comic artist and associate editor at The Nib

Zeeya Merali, physicist at the Foundational Questions Institute, author of A Big Bang in a Little Room, cohost of the FQXi Podcast

Peter Norton, historian at the University of Virginia, author of Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City

(Paper from the advertisement: Time to End the Use of Genetic Test Results in Life Insurance Underwriting)

→ → → Sources and more links available here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth.

The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia.

The teleportation attendant from the future was played by Tamara Krinsky. Tamara is the host of the science & technology show TOMORROW'S WORLD TODAY, which you can watch on Amazon, right now.

The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at info@flashforwardpod.com. We love hearing your ideas! And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool.

And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help.

That’s all for this future, come back next time and we’ll travel to a new one.

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Water Would Be Nice Dec 04, 2018

What happens when the Rio Grande dries up? The river is often overshadowed, at least in the US, by the Colorado River. But the Rio Grande creates the border between US and Mexico, and the water that flows through it is at the center of a looming geopolitical crisis. So what happens when towns, farms and cities on both sides of the border start to run out of water?

Guests:

Naveena Sadasivam: staff writer at the Texas Observer covering the environment, energy and climate and co-author on the series Shallow Waters

Zoë Schlanger: staff writer at Quartz covering the environment, and co-author on the series Shallow Waters

Flavio Lehner: Climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research

J. Alfredo Rodríguez-Pineda: Water program coordinator at the WWF

Sponsors:

Bombas (use code FLASH at checkout)

Papers mentioned in the ad: Deranged Socks, Sock Matching exercise, Sock sorting

→ → → Links to sources and further reading available here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud

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Snip Snip Snip Dec 18, 2018

At long last, we’re doing genetic editing. What’s the deal with the recent news about CRISPR babies? What does a future full of human genetic editing look like? And how might CRISPR change the food we eat?

Guests:Sarah Zhang, reporter at The Atlantic Greta Johnsen, weekend anchor at WBEZ, co-host of Nerdette Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project Alison Van Eenennaam, researcher at UC Davis→→→ Further reading and sources HERE ←←←

Paper mentioned in the Policygenius ad: “National culture and life insurance consumption”

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud

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Season Five Coming Soon! Feb 26, 2019

In case you think I've been sitting on my butt doing nothing, here's a trailer to let you know that I have been sitting on my butt doing lots of things! Flash Forward returns to your feeds NEXT WEEK, but to get you excited, I wanted to drop in and give you all a little taste of what’s to come.

See you in the future!

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EARTH: The Sunshade Mar 05, 2019

We're back! Did you miss me? Don't answer that please. Today's episode kicks off Season FIVE of Flash Forward. This year, I'm doing things a little bit differently. Instead of doing a new episode every other week, you're getting little mini-seasons. Each little block of five episodes will come out weekly, and center around a theme. This week we're starting our EARTH series. Five episodes, five different future Earths. Buckle up, I hope you're ready for some fun. And some terror. This is Flash Forward after all.

Today we travel to a future where humanity decides to pull the climate emergency break, and spray sulphuric acid into the upper atmosphere.

Guests

Anthony Jones, climate model researcher at University of Exeter

Jane Flegal, climate science and policy advisor, program officer at The Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust

Kate Marvel, climate scientist at Columbia University and NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Romaric Odoulami, climate scientist at the University of Cape Town

Prakash Kashwan, political scientist at the University of Connecticut

Actors

The Snowglobe Narrator: Brent Rose

Lenny Haywood: Evan Johnson

Farah Mousterian: Zahra Noorbakhsh

John Jacob Siwa: Joseph Jones

Juana Aguilar: Tamara Krinsky

Thor Surtr: Oliver Blank

Special Thanks

Women's Audio Mission studios, Maryam Qudus, Stephanie Lopez

The Potluck Podcast Collective, The Potluck Podcast studio, Quincy Surasmith

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Thanks to PNAS for supporting Flash Forward. Listen to Science Sessions on iTunes today.

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EARTH: The Polar Flip Mar 12, 2019

Today we travel to a future where the Earth’s magnetic poles reverse.

→ → → Further reading available here ← ← ←

Guests:Eftyhia Zesta -- Chief of the Geospace Physics Laboratory in the Heliophysics Division at NASAMichael Purucker -- Planetary Magnetosphere Lab chief at NASAAlanna Mitchell -- author of The Spinning Magnet Rory Cottrell -- archaeomagnetism researcher at The University of Rochester Thorsten Ritz -- biophysics researcher at UC Irvine Actors:The Snowglobe Narrator: Brent RoseLenny Haywood: Evan JohnsonFarah Mousterian: Zahra Noorbakhsh, host of Good Muslim, Bad MuslimJohn Jacob Siwa: Joseph JonesJuana Aguilar: Tamara Krinsky, host of Tomorrow’s World TodayRoberta Peary: Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of InterestRamona Byrd: Andrea Silenzi, host of The Longest Shortest Time Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Join the Listener Facebook Group!

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox // Buy Some Merch

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify // wherever you get your podcasts!

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EARTH: The Desert Creep Mar 19, 2019

Today, we travel to the deserts. Or, actually, the deserts travel to us. What happens if dust swallows up over 30% of the planet?

→ → → Background reading, source material and other links here ← ← ←

As air pollution gets worse, a dystopian accessory is born ← My piece on face masks mentioned in the episode!

Guests:Sumant Nigam: climate researcher at University of MarylandMorgan Gorris: PhD candidate at UC IrvineChristina Xu: freelance technology researcherLindsay C. Stringer: researcher on land use and sustainability at the University of LeedsMatthew Bowker: soil ecologist at Northern Arizona University

Actors:The Snowglobe Narrator: Brent RoseLenny Haywood: Evan JohnsonFarah Mousterian: Zahra Noorbakhsh, host of Good Muslim, Bad MuslimJohn Jacob Siwa: Joseph JonesJuana Aguilar: Tamara Krinsky, host of Tomorrow’s World TodayAmy Trisol: Ariela Morgenstern

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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EARTH: The Cement Ban Mar 26, 2019

Today we travel to a future where we try to break up with cement. Can it be done? How did cement because so ubiquitous? And what’s so bad about cement in the first place? Guests:Grady Hillhouse: civil engineer and host of Practical EngineeringRobbie Andrew: senior researcher at CICERO Center for International Climate ResearchAmy Slaton: historian at Drexel University and author of Reinforced Concrete and the Modernization of American BuildingDavid Stone: inventor of Ferrock → → → Further reading & full transcript ← ← ←

Actors:The Snowglobe Narrator: Brent RoseLenny Haywood: Evan JohnsonFarah Mousterian: Zahra Noorbakhsh, host of Good Muslim, Bad MuslimJohn Jacob Siwa: Joseph JonesJuana Aguilar: Tamara Krinsky, host of Tomorrow’s World TodayKevin Macklin: Lawrence Carter Long

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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EARTH: The Ocean Farm Apr 02, 2019

Today we travel to a future where fisheries collapse world wide, and we turn the ocean into a giant farm.

Guests:Amanda Nickson: director of international fisheries at The Pew Charitable TrustsDaniel Pauly: professor University of British Columbia, principal investigator at Sea Around Us, author of Vanishing Fish: Shifting Baselines and the Future of Global FisheriesBernard Friedman: founder of Santa Barbara MaricultureTyler Sclodnick: senior scientist, InnovaSea Systems Inc. Patricia Majluf: vice president, Peru of Oceana

Actors:The Snowglobe Narrator: Brent RoseLenny Haywood: Evan JohnsonFarah Mousterian: Zahra Noorbakhsh, host of Good Muslim, Bad MuslimJohn Jacob Siwa: Joseph JonesJuana Aguilar: Tamara KrinskyChristina Amity: Angeli R. Fitch

→ → → Further reading, images, resources here. ← ←←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

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Sponsored by PNAS Science Sessions: Subscribe on iTunes today

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BODIES: Enter Night May 14, 2019

Today we travel to a future where humans can see at night. What happens when we expand our vision out into the darkness? How does that impact everything from work, to architecture, to poaching to horror movies? And is it even possible?

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

🚨 BECOME A PATRON BEFORE JUNE 30TH AND GET A SPECIAL REWARD! 🚨

Guests:

Gang Han -- researcher at UMass Medical School

Gabriel Licina -- researcher and “sometimes biohacker”

Lynne MacTavish -- operations manager at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve

A. Roger Ekirch -- historian at Virginia Tech and author of At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past

Ernest Freeberg -- historian at the University of Tennessee and author of The Age of Edison: Electric Light and the Invention of Modern America

Actors:

Maria -- Cara Rose de Fabio

Gaby -- Eler de Grey

Marquis -- Rotimi Agbabiaka (check out his new solo show called Manifesto on June 21 at the African American Arts and Culture Complex as part of the National Queer Arts Festival.)

John -- Keith Houston (also check out his karaoke nights in San Francisco)

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia.

The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Special thanks to Adria Otte and Molly Monihan at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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BODIES: InkRx May 21, 2019

Today we travel to a future where we can tattoo sensors right onto our skin. What happens when you can get a live readout of everything from glucose to hormones to hydration levels built into a tattoo? What kind of privacy can you expect when your medical data is literally written on your skin? And what does any of this have to do with Inspector Gadget and René Descartes?

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

🚨🚨🚨 Become a patron before June 30th and get a special prize in the mail! 🚨🚨🚨

Guests:

Ali K. Yetisen— researcher at Imperial College London

Ace Ratcliffe — disability activist, writer, co-founder of Harper’s Promise

Eler de Grey — interdisciplinary artist & writer

Quinn Grundy — researcher at the University of Toronto

Actors:

Maria -- Cara Rose de Fabio

Gaby -- Eler de Grey

Marquis -- Rotimi Agbabiaka (check out his new solo show called Manifesto on June 21 at the African American Arts and Culture Complex as part of the National Queer Arts Festival.)

John -- Keith Houston (also check out his karaoke nights in San Francisco)

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Adria Otte and Molly Monihan at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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BODIES: This Is Not A Test May 28, 2019

Today we travel to a future where all animal testing is banned. What are the alternatives? What can we do without using animals, and what can’t we do?

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Guests:

Janet D. Stemwedel -- professor of philosophy at San Jose State University

Lawrence Carter Long -- communications director at the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Kristie Sullivan -- vice president of research policy at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Deepak Kaushal -- director of the Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute

Hunter Rogers -- researcher at Northwestern University on EVATAR project

Actors:

Maria -- Cara Rose de Fabio

Gaby -- Eler de Grey

Marquis -- Rotimi Agbabiaka (check out his new solo show called Manifesto on June 21 at the African American Arts and Culture Complex as part of the National Queer Arts Festival.)

New Marquis -- Xandra Ibarra

John -- Keith Houston (also check out his karaoke nights in San Francisco)

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Adria Otte and Molly Monihan at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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BODIES: Switcheroo Jun 04, 2019

Today we travel to a future where we can swap bodies with one another. Would you trade places with someone? Do you own your body?

Guests:

Calvin Gimpelevich — writer, author of “Rent, Don’t Sell”

Sav Schlauderaff — PhD student, University of Arizona, co-founder Queer Futures Collective

Krizia Puig — PhD student, UC Santa Cruz, co-founder Queer Futures Collective

Susan Gelman — professor of psychology, University of Michigan

Actors:Maria -- Cara Rose de Fabio Gaby -- Eler de GreyNew Marquis -- Xandra Ibarra John -- Keith Houston (also check out his karaoke nights in San Francisco)

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Adria Otte and Molly Monihan at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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BODIES: Ghostbot Jun 11, 2019

Today we travel to a future where dying isn’t the end. What if you could live on as a simulation? A bot that knows everything you’ve ever said, and can pretend to be you?

🚨 BECOME A PATRON BEFORE JUNE 30TH AND GET A SPECIAL REWARD! 🚨

Guests:

James Vlahos — journalist & author of Talk to Me: How Voice Computing Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Think

Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad — research scientist at KenSci, Inc, professor of computer science at University of Washington

Anita Hannig — professor of anthropology at Brandeis University

Joy Butler — attorney

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Actors:Maria — Cara Rose de Fabio Gaby — Eler de GreyMarquis — Rotimi Agbabiaka (check out his new solo show called Manifesto on June 21 at the African American Arts and Culture Complex as part of the National Queer Arts Festival.)New Marquis — Xandra Ibarra John — Keith Houston (also check out his karaoke nights in San Francisco)

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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CRIME: Jaw & Order Aug 13, 2019

Today we travel to a future where your face can be held against you.

Guests:Brandeis Marshall -- data scientist & professor at Spelman CollegeMatt Cagle -- attorney, ACLU Northern California Keith Kaplan -- councilman, Teaneck, NJAnkita Shukla -- PhD candidate, IIIT Delhi

Actors:Evan Johnson as Mr. MortonDavid Romero as DavidAsh Greenberg as AshSantos Flores as SantosCharlie Chalmers as CharlieGrace Nelligan as GraceAva Ausman as AvaSidney Perry-Thistle as SidneyArthur Benjamin Allison as Arthur→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Season One episode about facial recognition

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Special thanks to the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season. Special thanks also to Evan Johnson who played Mr. Morton and also coordinated the actors of the Junior Acting Troupe who play the students in the intros this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Sponsor information:Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of amazing classes covering dozens of creative and entrepreneurial skills. Flash Forward listeners get 2 months of unlimited access to thousands of classes for free by signing up at http://skillshare.com/flashforward Shaker & Spoon is a subscription cocktail box that brings world-class cocktails into your kitchen once a month. Get $20 off your first box at http://shakerandspoon.com/flashforwardTab for a Cause is a browser extension that lets you raise money for charity by opening tabs. Grab the extension and start earning today at tabforacause.com/flashforward!

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CRIME: I Can See My House From Here! Aug 20, 2019

Today we travel to a future where satellites can catch criminals.

Guests:Sarah Parcak, professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and author of Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes our PastJamon Van Den Hoek, professor of geography at Oregon State UniversityWenyao Xu, professor of computer science at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo

Actors:Evan Johnson as Mr. MortonCharlie Chalmers as CharlieGrace Nelligan as GraceDavid Romero as DavidAsh Greenberg as AshSantos Flores as SantosAva Ausman as AvaSidney Perry-Thistle as SidneyArthur Benjamin as Arthur

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Veronica Simonetti and Erin Laetz at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season. Special thanks also to Evan Johnson who played Mr. Morton and also coordinated the actors of the Junior Acting Troupe who play the students in the intros this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

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CRIME: Can You Sue An Algorithm? Aug 27, 2019

Today we travel to a future where algorithms can be put on trial.

Guests:Rumman Chowdhury -- Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence Kevin De Liban -- attorney at Legal Aid or Arkansas Nicholson Price -- assistant professor of law at University of Michigan Shobita Parthasarathy -- professor of public policy and women’s studies at University of Michigan Actors:Evan Johnson as Mr. MortonDavid Romero as DavidAsh Greenberg as AshSantos Flores as SantosCharlie Chalmers as CharlieGrace Nelligan as GraceAva Ausman as AvaSidney Perry-Thistle as SidneyArthur Benjamin as Arthur

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Veronica Simonetti and Erin Laetz at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season. Special thanks also to Evan Johnson who played Mr. Morton and also coordinated the actors of the Junior Acting Troupe who play the students in the intros this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Sponsor information:Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of amazing classes covering dozens of creative and entrepreneurial skills. Flash Forward listeners get 2 months of unlimited access to thousands of classes for free by signing up at http://skillshare.com/flashforward Papers & books I mention in the Skillshare ad: "The art of being mentally healthy: a study to quantify the relationship between recreational arts engagement and mental well-being in the general population" and How to be a Happy Academic.

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CRIME: CSI++ Sep 03, 2019

Today’s episode is about the future of forensics: what happens when just a few skin cells can make you suspect number one?

Guests:Raychelle Burks — professor of chemistry at St. Edward’s UniversityKelley Kulick — deputy public defender at the Santa Clara Public Defender’s OfficeMitra Sharafi — professor of law at University of Wisconsin-Madison Law SchoolMary Graw Leary — professor of law at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law

Actors:Evan Johnson as Mr. MortonBrent Rose as Dr. KarpouHelen Rosner as Dr. Duncan DougalTamara Krinsky as Dr. Susan Simmons→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth.

The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Special thanks to Veronica Simonetti and Erin Laetz at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season. Special thanks also to Evan Johnson who played Mr. Morton and also coordinated the actors of the Junior Acting Troupe who play the students in the intros this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Sponsor information:Dashlane is a password management app that keeps all your online information safe, secure, and easy to access. Check out www.dashlane.com/flashforward to get Dashlane FREE on your first device. As a special offer for Flash Forward fans, they’re even offering a 30-day FREE trial of Dashlane Premium, including VPN, dark web monitoring, and more. If you like it, use code “flashforward” at checkout to save 10% on your Premium subscription.Shaker & Spoon is a subscription cocktail box that brings world-class cocktails into your kitchen once a month. Get $20 off your first box at http://shakerandspoon.com/flashforwardTab for a Cause is a browser extension that lets you raise money for charity by opening tabs. Grab the extension and start earning today at tabforacause.com/flashforward!

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CRIME: Moon Court Sep 10, 2019

On today’s episode we take everything we’ve learned so far about the future of crime, and take it to space.

Guests:Loren Grush — senior space reporter at The VergeMichelle Hanlon — associate director of the National Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi and co-founder of For All Moonkind.Erika Nesvold — astrophysicist and developer for Universe SandboxLucianne Walkowicz — astronomer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and co-founder of The JustSpace Alliance. Bianca I Laureano — educator, curriculum writer, and sexologist

Actors:Evan Johnson as Mr. MortonDavid Romero as DavidAsh Greenberg as AshSantos Flores as SantosCharlie Chalmers as CharlieGrace Nelligan as GraceAva Ausman as AvaSidney Perry-Thistle as SidneyArthur Benjamin as Arthur

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Veronica Simonetti and Erin Laetz at the Women’s Audio Mission, where all the intro scenes were recorded this season. Special thanks also to Evan Johnson who played Mr. Morton and also coordinated the actors of the Junior Acting Troupe who play the students in the intros this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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POWER: Time After Time Nov 12, 2019

Today we travel to a future where we can travel through time. Is it possible? Would you kill Hitler? Would it matter?

Guests:

Annalee Newitz, science journalist and author of The Future of Another Timeline
Bryan Méndez, astronomer at UC Berkeley
Donna Rose Addis, psychologist at the University of Toronto

Actors:

Tamara Krinsky as Dr. Catherine Moore (watch her show Tomorrow's World Today!)
Molly Woodstock as Dr. Brownlow (listen to Molly's podcast Gender Reveal!)
Jim Westrich as Dr. West

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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POWER: 1919 (Episode 100!) Nov 19, 2019

It’s the 100th episode!!!!!! To mix things up, today we’re traveling to the 1919 to see how three different events shaped the last 100 years, and will continue to shape the future.

🚨🚨🚨 New merch!!! 🚨🚨🚨

Guests:

Cathleen D. Cahill, professor of history at Penn State University
Adam Green, professor of history at the University of Chicago
Virginia Scharff, professor of history at the University of New Mexico

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Actors:

Monica Byrne (motor convoy)
Tamara Krinsky (suffrage)
James T. Green (prohibition)
Michael Resweber (Chicago riot)

Content Notes:

[27:00 - 38:53]: Discussion of racism and hate crimes

Music Notes:

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to everybody who’s ever listened to the show! And extra special thanks to Annalee Newitz, Robert Brenner, Quinn Heraty and Amanda McLaughlin.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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POWER: Weird Flux But OK Nov 26, 2019

Today’s episode is about nuclear fusion, a technology that might save us all or might be a complete waste of time and money.

Guests:

Charles Seife, professor at NYU and author of Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful Thinking
Sabina Griffith, communications officer at ITER
Nicholas Evans, professor of ethics at UMass Lowell
Michael Wahid Hanna, senior fellow at The Century Foundation

Actors:

Radio Host -- Brett Humphries (a Patron!)
Moses Blackman -- Eden Rohatensky
Dr. Amelia Brand -- Soleil Ho
Lawrence O’Donnell -- Tamara Krinsky

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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POWER: The Sleeping Lion Dec 03, 2019

Today’s episode is about a future in which China supplants the US as the dominant world superpower. Is it imminent? What does a China-led world look like? And why are so many people worried about it?

Guests:

Meredith Oyen, professor of history and director of Asian studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Gina Tam, professor of history at Trinity University
Linda Yueh, economist and author of The Great Economists
Lina Getachew Ayenew, author of The Complete Beginner’s Guide to China-Africa Relations
Michael Wahid Hanna, senior fellow at The Century Foundation

Actors:

Employee welcomer --Ewan Chung
New employee -- Tamara Krinsky

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Yutong Yuang who provided the translation into Mandarin and to Tony Chow for introducing me to Yutong.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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POWER: Mothers Against Digital Danger Dec 10, 2019

Today we travel to a future where a coalition of concerned mothers convinces the United States to shut off the Internet.

Guests:

Philip Elmer‑DeWitt, journalist
Chipo Dendere, assistant orofessor of Africana Studies, Wellesley College
Tim Maughan, author of Infinite Detail

Actors:

Billy’s mother -- Tamara Krinsky

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Content Notes

[2:20-6:00] [21:00-23:00] Suicide, onling bullying & mass shooting

[11:20-17:00] Pornography

[23:00-25:00] Drunk driving fatality

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Huge huge huge thanks to Tamara Krinsky who played Billy’s mom on this episode, and also (did you notice?) played a time traveler dipping in and out of all the futures this season.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Sponsor info:

Get two free months of Skillshare!

Paper referenced in the Skillshare Ad: Towards a definition of “hobby”: An empirical test of a proposed operational definition of the word hobby

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Flash Back to the Future: Mosquitoes, UBI, Coronavirus Feb 11, 2020

Today is a very special ~~surprise~~ episode! I’ve been thinking about how to revisit old episodes, and give you folks updates on things that have happened since we covered certain futures. Sometimes things warrant more than a social media post, but not quite a whole new episode. So here’s a little experiment! On this episode, we revisit three futures and you get some juicy, fresh updates. We talk about a mosquito experiment gone wrong, a UBI experiment gone right, and what the heck is going on with coronavirus.

If you like this, let me know? There are a few other episodes I think are worth an update (The census is this year! A DNA testing company we covered was bought out by a lab that works with law enforcement! People in Sweden are flying way less!) and if you like this I’ll definitely do another.

Sources:

Dr. Cameron Webb — mosquito expert, University of Sydney
Dr. Amy Castro Baker — assistant professor at University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Stacia Martin-West — assistant professor at University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Alexandra Phelan — Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro & outtro music for this episode are by Hussalonia.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Flash Back to the Future: Flight Shame, Genetic Genealogy, 2020 Census Mar 20, 2020

Hi again! I’m back with one more of these update episodes. Today we cover the growing “flight shame” movement, some interesting developments in the genetic genealogy space, and what’s going on with the 2020 Census.

New official, legit, Flash Forward episodes begin again on April 14th!

Sources:

Susanna Elfors: founder, Tagsemester
Peter Aldhous: reporter, BuzzFeed News
Hansi Lo Wang: reporter, NPR

Covid-19 Resources

Take the 2020 Census HERE

→ → → Further reading on today’s episode can be found here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music for this episode is by Hussalonia.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Doomsday 2000/2038/2100 Apr 14, 2020

Today we travel to a future where software engineers didn’t actually fix any of the Y2K bugs. What would have happened if we had ignored the problem? What lessons does Y2K have for us, and why are people worried about 2038 and 2100?

Guests:

Peter de Jager — author of “Doomsday 2000” and Y2K town crier.
Dr. Andy Michael — geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earthquake Science Center
John Feminella — software engineer at ThoughtWorks
Dr. Sara K. McBride — emergency management specialist with the U.S. Geological Survey

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Goodnight Night Apr 28, 2020

Today we travel to a future where darkness is a thing of the past. No more night, no more stars, no more deep inky black sky. What happens when we light everything up?

Guests:

Dr. John Barentine — director of public policy at the International Dark Sky Association
Rebecca Boyle — science journalist
Dr. Lucianne Walkowicz — astronomer at the Adler Planetarium
Dr. Sarah Pritchard— historian at Cornell University

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Special thanks to Thomas, Vera and Isaac Beckett who played the teacher and students in the intro this episode.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Find a promo code you heard on the episode.

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FIVE YEARS OF FLASH FORWARD! May 12, 2020

Today we celebrate the FIVE YEAR anniversary of the podcast. Whoa. To celebrate, I reached out to every single person who you’ve ever heard on the podcast — every expert, every voice actor, and even a few patrons — and asked them one question: what would you say to someone living 50 years from now? Here’s what they said.

Guests: Alice Wong, Amy Slaton, Angeli Fitch, Arielle Duhaime-Ross, Ashley Shew, Avery Trufelman, Calvin Gimpelevich, Carl Evers, Chris Dancy, Damien Patrick Williams, David Agranoff. Ernesto D. Morales, Gina Tam, Janelle Shane, Janet Stemwedel, Jared Dyer, Jon Christensen, Kathy Randall Bryant, Katie Gordon, Kelly & Zach Weinersmith, Lina Ayenew, Matt Lubchanksy, Meredith Talusan, Michelle Hanlon, Morgan Gorris, Naomi Baron, Natalia Petrzela, Sandeep Ravindran, Queer Futures Collective, Sav Schlauderaff, Shoshana Schlauderaff , Zia Puig, Zoe Schlanger

→ → → Full answers from every person here ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. Additional music this episode from Chad Crouch, Ketsa, Xylo-Ziko, and Loyalty Freak. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Welcome to Celebrityville May 26, 2020

Today we travel to a future where celebrities construct their own cities for you and I to live in.

Guests:

Jon Karas — President and Co-Founder at Akoin
Dr. Katherine P. Antonova — Associate Professor of Russian history at Queens College
Brittany Spanos — senior writer at Rolling Stone Magazine

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. The Lovechild tour guide was played by Gina Delvac. Episode suggested by Lux Alptraum.

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Heads Will Roll Jun 09, 2020

Today we travel to a future where you can plop your head onto a brand new body.

Guests:

Dr. Sergio Canavero — neurosurgeon & aspiring human head transplanter
Dr. Zaev Suskin — doctor & bioethicist
Dr. Paul Root Wolpe — director of the Center for Ethics at Emory University

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

How to get involved in the movement against police brutality.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Introducing: Advice For And From The Future ▹▹ Should I follow my partner to Mars? Jun 16, 2020

INTRODUCING: the newest show in the Flash Forward family — Advice For And From The Future.

What happens when your partner wants to flee this planet, and you want to stay? Is wanting to go to Mars basically saying you want to break up? Can you have a long, long, long distance relationship? Is a five-year date a terrible idea?

To answer this interplanetary conundrum, Rose calls up Andrea Silenzi, host and creator of the dating podcast Why Oh Why. Plus, an original song by the Song Salad team!

Advice For And From The Future is written, edited and performed by Rose Eveleth. The theme music is by Also, Also, Also. The logo is by Frank Okay. Additional music this episode provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

To get even more, you can become a Flash Forward Presents Time Traveler for access to behind the scenes exclusive content, early access to new shows, and other surprises & goodies.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW SHOW WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS! (please)

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One Child to Rule Them All Jun 23, 2020

If we really want to combat climate change, why not institute a serious cap on human population? It's a common question, and on today's episode we talk about a future in which there is a global one-child policy put in place, and why that might not actually be a very good, or just, idea.

Guests:

Dr. Jade Sasser — Associate professor of gender and sexuality studies at UC Riverside, author of On Infertile Ground, Population Control and Women’s Rights in the Era of Climate Change.
Dr. Leslie Wang — Assistant professor of sociology at UMass Boston and author of Outsourced Children: Orphanage Care and Adoption in Globalizing China
Meehan Crist — Writer-in-residence in Biological Sciences at Columbia University.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

〰️〰️〰️ For more about FLASH FORWARD PRESENTS head this way. 〰️〰️〰️

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. The voice of our future overlord was played by Brent Rose.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Should We Put Polar Bears In Antarctica? Jul 07, 2020

Today’s episode takes on a listener question: why not just move the polar bears to Antarctica? The idea might seem silly, but it’s actually got a name — assisted migrations — and the debates around what we should do to help conserve species as the climate warms is a really complicated and fascinating one.

Guests:

Jason McLachlan — associate professor of ecology at the University of Notre Dame
Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero — forest geneticist at Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo
Emma Marris — environmental writer, author of Rambunctious Garden
Tero Mustonen — biologist with the Snowchange Cooperative & head of the Kesälahti fish base

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

I'm hiring!! JOB DESCRIPTION & APPLICATION HERE.

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Episode Sponsors: MOVA Globes // Visit movaglobes.com/flashforward and use the code FLASHFORWARD, all one word, at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

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Dollars For Data Jul 21, 2020

Today we travel to a future where you can sell your personal data directly to a company, to get a better deal on a car or a house or a latte. What could go wrong?

Guests:

Richie Etwaru — CEO & Cofounder of Hu-manity.co
Sarah Jeong — journalist & lawyer
Abigail Echo-Hawk — Director of the Urban Indian Health Institute

Voice Actors:

Commercial voice: Brian Downs (Patron!)
Monica Pugh; Shara Kirby
Cop: Keith Houston, check out “This Eternal Afternoon” every Sunday at 4:30 PST on twitch.tv/rogerniner.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

MOVA Globes // Visit movaglobes.com/flashforward and use the code FLASHFORWARD, all one word, at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
PNAS Science Sessions // Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

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It's The End Of The World As We Know It Aug 04, 2020

Today we travel to a future where there is no future, because today we’re considering how the universe ends. Plus: how to cope with feeling freaked out by the end of the world, and what the last party ever should be like.

Guests:

Dr. Katie Mack — astrophysicist and author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)(also very good on Twitter!)
Dr. Jana Sadler— clinical psychologist based in Southern California
Jessie Char — conference organizer & party planner

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

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Game of Bones Aug 18, 2020

Today we travel to a future where archaeology accidentally runs out of bones.

Guests:

Dr. Keolu Fox — assistant professor at UC San Diego, Indigenous Futures Lab
Dr. Benjamin Vernot — postdoctoral scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Dr. Naomi Martisius — postdoctoral scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Voice Actors:

Dr. Pastrana — Ashley Kellem: Instagram, Website
Graudate Student — — Henry Alexander Kelly: Website, podcast La Lisa: A Latinx Podcast

Flash Forward is hosted by Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. The voices from the future this episode were played by Ashley Kellem and Henry Alexander Kelly.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Episode Sponsors:

PNAS Science Sessions: Short, in-depth conversations with the world’s top scientific researchers. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

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Shock And Awe Sep 01, 2020

Today we travel to a future where super-bandages can heal wounds really fast. Sound like science fiction? Well it might be closer than you think!

Guests:

Dr. Daniel Cohen — Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University
Dr. Keisha Ray — Assistant Professor, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston
Sylvan* — street medic in Portland (*pseudonym)

Voice Actors:

Emma Bracy: Website
Shara Kirby: Twitter
Tamara Krinsky: Website

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

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Episode Sponsors:

Invisible Forces: Hosted by Jefferies insiders Shannon Murphy and Erin Shea, Invisible Forces is a show about the unseen influences that are rapidly transforming our way of life and global economy. With surprising stories and expert interviews, we’re looking into the future at where we'll be living, how we'll be working, what we'll be buying … and why.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

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Halfway To Heaven Sep 15, 2020

Today we travel to a future where you can retire to a nursing home… in space.

Guests:

Anicca Harriot — PhD candidate at the University of Maryland School of medicine
Dustin Gibson — Access, Disability and Language Justice Coordinator at PeoplesHub
Dr. Tracie Prater — Aerospace Engineer at NASA

Voice Actors:

Tour Guide: Emma Bracy
Noah: Bretty Tubbs
Marco: Tamara Krinsky

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Into The Zone: Into the Zone is a podcast about opposites, and how borders are never as clear as we think.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

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Boss Bot Sep 29, 2020

🚨 Pre-order the Flash Forward book today! 🚨

Subscribe to Open World here

Today we travel to a future where you’re guaranteed a job, but there’s a catch: your job is assigned to you by an algorithm.

Guests:

Dr. Pavlina Tcherneva — professor of economics at Bard College, researcher at the Levy Economics Institute & author of The Case for a Job Guarantee.
Dr. Kira Lussier — historian at the University of Toronto.
Manish Raghavan — PhD candidate at Cornell University.
Dr. Chris Gilliard — privacy scholar & Professor of English at Macomb Community College.

Voice acting:

Echo: Elena Fernández Collins

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

PNAS Science Sessions: short, in-depth conversations with the world’s top scientific researchers. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Double Trouble Oct 13, 2020

Today we travel to a future where we all have digital replicas of ourselves to deploy at faculty meetings, doctors appointments, and even dates.

Guests:

Lars Buttler — CEO of the AI Foundation
Damien Patrick Williams — PhD candidate at Virginia Tech
Dr. Koen Bruynseels — researcher at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands
Christel De Maeyer — researcher based in Belgium
Dr. Robin Zebrowski — professor of cognitive science at Beloit college
Dr. Duncan Irschick — professor of biology at UMass Amherst and director of the Digital Life initiative

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

🤖 for AI only 🤖

🚨 Pre-order the Flash Forward book today! 🚨

✨ Subscribe to Open World here ✨

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with two free months of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Votes for All! Oct 27, 2020

Today we travel to a future where voting rights are extended to lots more people in the United States including non-citizens, 16-year-olds, and convicted felons.

Guests:

Dr. Ron Hayduk — professor of political science at San Francisco State University, and author of Democracy for All
Ashawn Dabney-Small — candidate for Boston City Council District 3 and Vice President for the National Youth Rights Association
Dr. Sylvia Kritzinger — a professor at the University of Vienna
Jennifer Taylor — senior attorney at the Equal Justice Initiative.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

✨ SUPPORT THE SHOW ✨

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

PNAS Science Sessions: short, in-depth conversations with the world’s top scientific researchers. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Give The Land Back? Nov 10, 2020

Today we travel to a future where the US and Canada give stolen land back to tribes & bands.

Guests:

Molly Swain — cohost of Métis in Space, studying in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.
Chelsea Vowel — cohost of Metis in Space, author of Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada.
Matthew Fletcher — law professor at Michigan State University
Graham Lee Brewer — associate editor at High Country News
Mike Gouldehawke — writer & activist

The intro scene was written & performed by Molly Swain and Chelsea Vowel, along with Johnnie Jae.

You can donate to Molly & Chelsea’s landback project here.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Sweet Home Nov 24, 2020

Today we travel to a future where housing is guaranteed and provided to everybody.

Guests:

Amanda Vail — Director of communications at Plymouth Housing
Dr. Sam Tsemberis — Founder of Pathways Housing First and author of Housing First Manual: The Pathways Model to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness and Addiction
Dr. Ivis Garcia Zambrana — Assistant Professor of City & Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah
Tara Raghuveer — Director of KC Tenants, director of the Homes Guarantee campaign at People’s Action
Dr. Daniel Aldana Cohen — Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania & co-author of A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green Deal
Carroll Fife — councilmember-elect for Oakland’s District 3, co-founder of Moms for Housing, director of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Oakland

Voice Actors:

Intro Phone Tree Voice — Brett Tubbs
Amy — Ashley Kellem: Instagram, Website
Maia — Shara Kirby

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox // Become a Time Traveler

Episode Sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Get fresh, pre-measured ingredients and mouthwatering seasonal recipes delivered right to your door. Go to HelloFresh.com/flashforward90 and use code flashforward90 to get $90 off including free shipping!
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!
The Listener:Get smart, surprising podcast recommendations in your inbox every day. Listeners to Flash Forward can get two extra months free at thelistener.co using the code flashforward20.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Anybody Out There? Dec 08, 2020

Today’s episode is all about contact. Have we really discovered alien life on Venus? How do you even look for life when you don't know what it will look like? What would happen if we did find it? Should we be sending messages out into the universe? Are aliens going to kill us? What would happen if they showed up?

Guests:

Dr. Clara Sousa — quantum astrochemist at Harvard University
Moiya McTier — astrophysicist at Columbia University and host of Exolore
Dr. Michael L. Wong — planetary scientist at the University of Washington and host of Strange New Worlds: A Science & Star Trek Podcast
Michael Oman Reagan — anthropologist & founding board member of the JustSpace Alliance
Dr. Kathryn Denning — anthropologist at York University
Jaime Green — writer & editor working on a book about aliens

Voice Actors

Dr. Jaad — Johnnie Jae
Alex Jenkins — Keith Houston
Radio reporter — Ashley Kellem
Alien 1 — Henry Alexander Kelly
Alien 2 — Brett Tubbs

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with two free months of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.
Hingston & Olsen Publishing: Projections is a deluxe box set of science-fiction stories that each in some way predicted life in the present day. Order your copy today from hingstonandolsen.com/projections, and save 10% off your purchase when you enter the promo code FLASHFORWARD at checkout.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!
The Listener:Get smart, surprising podcast recommendations in your inbox every day. Listeners to Flash Forward can get two extra months free at thelistener.co using the code flashforward20.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waste Not Want Not Dec 22, 2020

Today’s episode is all about trash. What if every country had to deal with its own garbage instead of shipping it elsewhere? Did you know what trash is bought and sold on a global market? What would happen if that market was shut down?

Guests:

Dr. Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood — lecturer in sustainable development at the University of St. Andrews.
Jim Puckett — founder and executive director of the Basel Action Network
Dr. Jenna Jambeck — professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia
Dr. Joshua Lepawsky — professor in the department of geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland
James Wakibia — environmental activist in Kenya
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali — vice president for environmental justice, climate and community revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation

Voice Actors:

New Plastic Commercial — Richelle Claireborn
Friend 1 — Henry Alexander Kelly
Friend 2 — Shara Kirby

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Hello Fresh: Get fresh, pre-measured ingredients and mouthwatering seasonal recipes delivered right to your door. Go to HelloFresh.com/flashforward80 and use code flashforward80 to get $80 off including free shipping!
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enter The Alternate Timeline (SEASON FINALE!) Jan 05, 2021

Today’s episode is the LAST OF THE SEASON! And we're getting weird. What if there wasn't just this one timeline, this one universe, but tons and tons of and tons of universes all around us all the time? Constantly splitting and forming? Well it turns out that there is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that says just that. And today we talk about alternate universes, many worlds, memory, and stories. Plus: what Flash Forward might be like in other timelines.

Guests:

Dr. Sean Carroll — professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology & host of the podcast Sean Carroll's Mindscape
Dr. Charan Ranganath — professor of psychology at UC Davis
Tom, Matt, and Nate — twins!
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone — co-authors of This Is How You Lose the Time War

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

PNAS Science Sessions: Science Sessions are short, in-depth conversations with the world’s top scientific researchers. Listen and subscribe to Science Sessions on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back To The Future: Robot Teachers, Drug Decriminalization, Anti-Trust Extravaganza Feb 02, 2021

Today we travel to three past futures, and update you on recent developments! How has COVID brought us closer to robot teachers? Why did Oregon vote to decriminalize all drugs? And what the heck is going on with the antitrust suits against Google and Facebook?

Guests:

Audrey Watters — ed-tech expert & author of The Monsters of Education Technology (2014), The Revenge of the Monsters of Education Technology (2015), The Curse of the Monsters of Education Technology (2016), and The Monsters of Education Technology 4 (2017)
Matt Sutton — Director, Media Relations Drug Policy Alliance
Rani Molla — reporter, Recode

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

PNAS Science Sessions: Science Sessions are short, in-depth conversations with the world’s top scientific researchers. Listen and subscribe to Science Sessions on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If You Could Be Immune To Everything? Mar 30, 2021

WELCOME BACK TO FLASH FORWARD! Today we travel to a future where we become immune to every poison, venom and toxin in the world. What happens next?

Guests:

Dr. Bryan Fry — biochemist and molecular biologist at the University of Queensland
Dr. Christie Wilcox — science writer & author of Venomous: How Earth’s Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry
Dr. Karin Broberg — geneticist at the Karolinska Institute
Dr. Trysh Travis — cultural historian at the University of Florida
Dr. Mark Bonta — cultural geographer

Voice Actors:

Pharmaceutical Ad Narrator — Shara Kirby

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

✨✨GET THE FLASH FORWARD BOOK HERE!! ✨✨

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Backblaze: Get peace of mind knowing your files are backed up securely in the cloud with Backblaze. Get a fully-featured 15-day free trial at: Backblaze.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If We Could Never Touch Again? Apr 13, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future without touch.

Guests:

Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist currently working at the Georgetown Center for Global Health, Science and Securitybut soon to be head of her own lab up at the University of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Catherine Cudlick, a historian and the Director or the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University.
Dr. Tiffany Field, the director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Dr. David Parisi, a professor at the college of Charleton the author of a book called Archaeologies of Touch: Interfacing with Haptics from Electricity to Computing.

Voice Actors:

Naomi Jackson — Shara Kirby
Dr. Sandra Bowles — Richelle Claiborne
Advertisement Voices — Rachel Lara, Jake & Rory Terracina, and Kathryn Dollens

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with two free months of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.

Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If Our Cities Were Smart? Apr 27, 2021

Today’s episode is all about the future of cities. Do we want them to be smart? What does that even mean?

Guests:

Ben Passmore, a comic artist and contributor to the Flash Forward book!
Annalee Newitz, a science journalist, science fiction writer, and author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age.
Dr. Jathan Sadowski, author of Too Smart: How Digital Capitalism is Extracting Data, Controlling our Lives, and Taking Over the Worldand cohost of a podcast called This Machine Kills.
Dr. Brenda McPhail, director of the Privacy, Technology, and Surveillance Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Dr. Jarah Moesch, a multidisciplinary artist and professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Voice Actor: Smart City Cop — Brett Tubbs

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can You Mine An Asteroid? May 11, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where we (try to) mine asteroids for resources.

Guests:

Atossa Abrahamian, a journalist who’s written about space mining and is working on a new book about “places in the world where the rules don’t (fully) apply.”
Dr. Andreas Hein, a space systems engineer and executive director of the Initiative for Interstellar Studies.
Dr. Ram Jakhu, a professor at the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law and editor of Global Space Governance: An International Study.
Dr. Erika Nesvold, an astrophysicist, co-founder of the JustSpace Alliance, and host of the podcast Making New Worlds.
Dr. Jim Schwartz, a professor of philosophy at Wichita State University who writes about space ethics.

Voice Actors:

Receptionist/Robot: Ashley Kellem
Gabby: Anjali Kunapaneni
Melissa: Chelsey B. Coombs
Mark: Henry Alexander Kelly

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could We All Live Underground? May 25, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where humans decide to live underground.

Guests:

Dr. Brian Toon, an atmospheric scientist and professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder
Jason Wright, a tour guide and resident of Coober Pedy, Australia
Dr. Youqin Huang, a professor at Albany State University who studies housing and migration in China
Dr. Eun Hee Lee, an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia who’s researched the psychology of underground spaces
Finbarr Fallon, a designer and visual artist based in Singapore
Rob van Son, a researcher based in Singapore who leads the Digital Underground project
Dr. Michael Doyle, an assistant professor of architecture at Laval University
Julio Amezcua, an architect based in Mexico City

Voice Actors:

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Dipsea: An audio app full of short, sexy stories designed to turn you on. Get an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/flashforward.
Memory Lane:From the writer behind the hit series Pretty Little Liars, Memory Lane is a psychological thriller about mothers, daughters, and the dangers of memory. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Is The Future Of Flash Forward? Jun 08, 2021

Today we do a bit of spelunking into the history of Flash Forward, revisit last year’s anniversary, and talk about how the future sausage gets made.

Things I talked about on today's episode.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with two free months of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Mind Control End Crime? Jul 06, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where we try to control crime with brain implants.

Guests:

Stephen Kinzer, a journalist and author of Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control.
Dr. Shaun Patel, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Steph Griffiths and Dr. Jarkko Jalava, co-authors of The Myth of The Born Criminal: Psychopathy, Neurobiology, and the Creation of the Modern Degenerate.
Dr. Liat Ben-Moshe, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and author of Decarcerating Disability: Deinstitutionalization and Prison Abolition.
Dr. Hank Greely, director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University.
Dr. Apryl Alexander, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Denver.
Elliott Fukui, a community organizer and facilitator.
Dhruv Mehrotra, a data reporter at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting.

Voice Actors:

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Dipsea: An audio app full of short, sexy stories designed to turn you on. Get an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/flashforward.
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Realm: Part podcast studio, part magical refuge, realm is the audio entertainment company that creates original fiction podcasts, including official continuations of popular franchises like Orphan Black. Check out Elixer, a Prohibition-inspired fantasy, wherever you get your podcasts.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Humans Become Nocturnal? Jul 20, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where humans get weird with sleep. First, what if we tried to take shifts all day, every day? Second, what if we tried to become nocturnal?

Guests:

Dr. Matthew Wolf-Meyer, an associate professor of anthropology at Binghamton University and author of The Slumbering Masses: Sleep, Medicine, and Modern American Life.
Sarah Kaplan, a science reporter at the Washington Post who’s worked the night shift.
Dr. Bala Koritala, a researcher at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Alexandra Mariani, a listener who works the night shift at a hospital.
Kelton Minor, a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science.
Dr. Kaitlyn Gaynor, a researcher at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.

Voice Actors:

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

REALM: Part podcast studio, part magical refuge. One of their most recent series is Spider King. After taking the rap for a crime he didn’t commit, an incarcerated Black man makes a dangerous bargain to earn his freedom. For fans of Jordan Peele and Lovecraft Country, this poignant and intimate body-horror narrative eviscerates the prison industrial complex while exploring the traumas that arise as a result of it.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants! \

More about ads and data privacy on Flash Forward here (scroll to the bottom).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Could A Better Economy Look Like? Aug 18, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where the economy revolves around gifts, instead of money.

Guests:

Ilana Strauss, a journalist and producer at National Geographic’s podcast, “Overheard.”
Dr. Niels Thygesen, an associate professor at the Copenhagen Business School.
Dr. James Parisot, a researcher at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and author of How America Became Capitalist: Imperial Expansion and the Conquest of the West.
Dr. Anna Grear, a professor of law at Cardiff University and author of The Great Awakening: New Modes of Life Amidst Capitalist Ruins.
Ricardo Nuñez, the director of economic democracy at the Sustainable Economies Law Center.
Dr. Sara Nelson, an economic policy fellow at the University of British Columbia.
Dean Spade, an activist, professor at Seattle University School of Law, and author of Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next).
Dr. Hyunseok Hwang, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Houston.
Monica Byrne, a novelist, playwright, and author of The Actual Star.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Threatened: A new podcast from Bird Note about stories from around the world about people who are taking action on behalf of our fragile ecosystems and the birds that depend on them.
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with two free months of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can We Conquer Fire? Sep 01, 2021

Today’s episode is all about fire: how does it work? Why is it so dangerous? And could we ever make it safe? And it's an extra special episode because it's hosted by Julia Llinas Goodman!

Guests:

John Lentini, a certified fire investigator who has served as an expert witness in over 200 legal cases.
Dr. Lynn Hulse, a psychologist with the University of Greenwich’s Fire Safety Engineering Group.
Nisha Baliga, the co-executive director of urban planning nonprofit Hester Street, and Jimena Veloz, a senior project manager at Hester Street.
Dr. Frank Lake, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service who has family in the Karuk Tribe and the Yurok Tribe.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Dipsea: An audio app full of short, sexy stories designed to turn you on. Get an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/flashforward.
NordVPN: Get secure and private access to the Internet. Get 74% off NordPass at https://nordpass.com/flashforward. Plus, you get 4 additional months for FREE!
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Is The Future Of Gender? Sep 22, 2021

Today we revisit an episode from way back in season one, and ask: what even is gender in the first place? How could it be different? Why does science fiction like playing with gender? And what would happen if we removed it from our legal identities?

Guests:

Os Keyes, a PhD student at the University of Washington who studies gender, disability, and technology.
Dr. Flora Renz, co-director of the Centre for Sexuality, Race and Gender Justice at Kent Law School.
Tuck Woodstock, a professional gender detective and host of the podcast Gender Reveal.
Dr. Oliver Haimson, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Information.
Blue Delliquanti, a contributor to the Flash Forward book and author of the forthcoming graphic novel Across A Field Of Starlight.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky. Our ads and sponsorships are handled by Multitude.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Bird Note: Stories about the enduring connections between birds, people and landscapes.
The World As You'll Know It: Technology is at an inflection point. Can we harness it to make life better...or will it harness us? Join Kurt Andersen as he and a world-class selection of thinkers explore this question as it pertains to our brains, our personal lives, our laws and our government.
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can You Find This Human? Sep 28, 2021

Today we travel to a future where your face is findable no matter where you go.

Guests:

Scott Myers — former editor of the Perplex City Wiki
Laura E. Hall — game designer and author of Planning Your Escape
Tom-Lucas Säger — technologist & Satoshi finder
Stan Alcorn — senior reporter at Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting
Erin — long lost camp friend
Dr. Kate Klonick — assistant professor of law at St. John’s University School of Law

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BirdNote Daily: BirdNote Daily is a short, two-minute podcast that answers all of your burning bird-related questions — like, how do birds stay perched in a tree when they’re asleep? What's the difference between a raven and crow? What’s the biggest bird that’s ever lived?
The World As You'll Know It: a podcast about the forces shaping our future.
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd.
Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward.
Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.
Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If We Could Shrink Technology? Oct 13, 2021

Today’s episode is all about making our technologies and medicines tiny. Like, super tiny.

Guests:

Ainissa Ramirez -- scientist, speaker, author of The Alchemy of Us
Eun Ji Chung -- biomedical engineer at the University of Southern California
Inge Hermann -- chemical engineer at ETH Zürich
Raj Bawa -- biotechnologist at Bawa Biotech
Richard Handy -- environmental toxicologist at University of Plymouth
Lisa Yaszek -- professor of science fiction studies at Georgia Tech

Voice Actors:

Harry Purvis -- Brett Tubbs
Parvis Tech -- Chelsey B. Coombs

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Music provided by Jay_You and Ketsa.

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BirdNote Daily: BirdNote Daily is a short, two-minute podcast that answers all of your burning bird-related questions — like, how do birds stay perched in a tree when they’re asleep? What's the difference between a raven and crow? What’s the biggest bird that’s ever lived?
The World As You'll Know It: a podcast about the forces shaping our future.
Skillshare: Skillshare is an online learning community where millions come together to take the next step in their creative journey, with thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. Start with a free month of Premium Membership, and explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What If We Could Shrink Humans? Oct 27, 2021

Today’s episode is about a future where humans learn how to shrink ourselves. What are the ethics of making someone smaller against their will? Would we keep all our fingers and toes? Would we even be considered humans anymore?

Guests:

Dr. Fei Chen, an assistant professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard.
Dr. Jonathan Payne, a professor of geological sciences at Stanford.
Dr. Sebastian Alvarado, an assistant professor of biology at Queens College, CUNY.
Dr. Joyce Lee, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Michigan.
Silvia Yee, a senior staff attorney at the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund.
Micah Perks, an author and director of creative writing at UC Santa Cruz.

Voice Actors:

Parvus Employee #1: Henry Alexander Kelly
Parvus Employee #2: Ashley Kellem
Harry Purvis — Brett Tubbs
Parvis Tour Guide — Chelsey B. Coombs

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward
BirdNote Daily: BirdNote Daily is a short, two-minute podcast that answers all of your burning bird-related questions — like, how do birds stay perched in a tree when they’re asleep? What’s the difference between a raven and crow? What’s the biggest bird that’s ever lived? Find our on Bird Note Daily, wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe to American Hysteria on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ROBOTS: Will Robots Ever Defeat Human Athletes? Nov 10, 2021

Today’s episode is part one in our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. We’re going out with a robotic bang: four episodes about four different ways that robots might impact your life in the future, starting with sports. Also, you'll hear a special announcement about the future of the show.

For more about that go here.

Guests:

Joe Choong, gold medalist in the Tokyo Olympic games in modern pentathlon.
Dr. Peter Stone, a professor of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin, and president of the International RoboCup Federation.
Jessica Luther and Dr. Brenda Elsey, two of the co-hosts of sports podcast Burn it All Down.
Dr. Rayvon Fouché, a professor of American studies at Purdue University.
Dr. Josh Siegel, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering at Michigan State University.
Brent Verdialez, founder and CEO of STRYK.

Voice Actors:

Rachael Deckard: Richelle Claiborne
Alex: Aiya Islam
Amanda: Emma Bracy
Chad: Brett Tubbs
Lina: Ashley Kellem
Brad: Brent Rose
Halimah: Zahra Noorbakhsh
Malik: Henry Alexander Kelly
Summer: Shara Kirby
Ashoka: Anjali Kunapaneni
Eliza: Chelsey B Coombs
Dorothy Levitt: Tamara Krinsky
John Dee: Keith Houston
Pierre Balck: Jarrett Sleeper

Music by Ilan Blanck.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ROBOTS: Should A Robot Be Allowed To Kill? Nov 24, 2021

Today we travel to a future where militaries employ killer robots. Should a robot be allowed to take a human life? Is the speed of war increasing too quickly? What does a tech worker do when they find out their work is being used for war?

Guests:

Kelsey Atherton, a reporter who covers military technology.
Ryan Calo, a professor of law at the University of Washington.
Dr. Ryan Jenkins, an associate professor of philosophy at California Polytechnic State University.
Liz O’Sullivan, the CEO of Parity.
Dr. Lucy Suchman, a professor emerita of sociology at Lancaster University.
Dr. Jesse Kirkpatrick, an assistant professor of philosophy at George Mason University.
Dr. Carlotta Berry, chair of the electrical and computer engineering department at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Kate Conger, a technology reporter at the New York Times.

Voice Actors:

Rachael Deckard: Richelle Claiborne
Chad: Brett Tubbs
Lina: Ashley Kellem
Brad: Brent Rose
Halimah: Zahra Noorbakhsh
Malik: Henry Alexander Kelly
Summer: Shara Kirby
Ashoka: Anjali Kunapaneni
Eliza: Chelsey B Coombs
Dorothy Levitt: Tamara Krinsky
John Dee: Keith Houston
Seargent William Walter: Jarrett Sleeper

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

The Long Time Academy: A new podcast about time, and how we think about time.
Bird Note Daily: A short, 2-minute daily dose of bird -- from wacky facts, to hard science, and even poetry.
Nature: The leading international journal of science. Get 50% off your yearly subscription when you subscribe at go.nature.com/flashforward.
BetterHelp: Making professional therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient. Visit betterhelp.com/flashforward and get 10% off your first month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ROBOTS: Would You Date A Robot? Dec 14, 2021

Today we travel to a future where we can take a robot home for a good time, or a long time, depending on what you’re into.

Content note: today’s episode discusses sex and includes explicit language. This one is more “mature” than most episodes, so proceed accordingly.

✨ REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE WRAP PARTY HERE! ✨

Guests:

Tina Horn: author of SFSX (Volume 2 out now) and host of Why Are People Into That?
Danielle Blunt: dominatrix and community organizer with Hacking//Hustling
Samantha Floreani: Program Lead at Digital Rights Watch
Ingrid Burrington: journalist and host of RIP Corp
Dr. Debbie Chachra: professor of engineering at Olin College
Render Man: hacker & founder of the Internet of Dongs

Voice Actors:

Rachael Deckard: Richelle Claiborne
Brad: Brent Rose
Halimah: Zahra Noorbakhsh
Malik: Henry Alexander Kelly
Summer: Shara Kirby
Ashoka: Anjali Kunapaneni
Eliza: Chelsey B Coombs
Dorothy Levitt: Tamara Krinsky
John Dee: Keith Houston
Dr. Marcia Eckers: Andrea Silenzi

Original X Marks the Bot theme music by Ilan Blanck.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Skillshare: an online learning community that offers membership with meaning. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/flashforward and get a one month free trial of Premium Membership.
BirdNote: BirdNote Daily, you get a short, 2-minute daily dose of bird -- from wacky facts, to hard science, and even poetry. And now is the perfect time to catch up on BirdNote’s longform podcasts: Threatened and Bring Birds Back. Find them all in your podcast listening app or at BirdNote.org.
Nature: Want to stay up-to-date on the latest in global science and research? Subscribe today to Nature, the leading international journal of science. Get 50% off your yearly subscription when you subscribe at go.nature.com/flashforward.
The Long Time Academy: a new podcast about time, and how we think about time. Life is short. Time is long. The Long Time Academy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ROBOTS: Could Robots Replace Animals? Dec 22, 2021

Today’s episode is the last of our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. This week we’re headed to a future where humans share our robotic knowledge with the rest of the animal kingdom—for better, and for worse.

✨✨ TAKE THE LISTENER SURVEY HERE ✨✨

⭐⭐ SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER HERE ⭐⭐

Guests:

Dr. Kate Darling, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab and author of The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots.
Emma Marris, a journalist and author of a book called Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.
Dr. Giovanni Polverino, an animal behavior researcher at The University of Western Australia.
Dr. Rae Wynn Grant, a wildlife ecologist and host of the podcast Going Wild.

Voice Actors:

Rachael Deckard: Richelle Claiborne
Malik: Henry Alexander Kelly
Summer: Shara Kirby
Ashoka: Anjali Kunapaneni
Eliza: Chelsey B Coombs
Dorothy Levitt: Tamara Krinsky
John Dee: Keith Houston
Dr. Jane de Vaucanson: Jeffrey Nils Gardner

X Marks the Bot theme song written by Ilan Blanck.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

BirdNote: BirdNote Daily, you get a short, 2-minute daily dose of bird — from wacky facts, to hard science, and even poetry. And now is the perfect time to catch up on BirdNote’s longform podcasts: Threatened and Bring Birds Back. Find them all in your podcast listening app or at BirdNote.org.
Nature: The leading international journal of science. Get 50% off your yearly subscription when you subscribe at go.nature.com/flashforward. And here is the video of the ancient crocodile robot I mentioned.
Dipsea: An audio app full of short, sexy stories designed to turn you on. Get an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/flashforward.
BetterHelp: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. Flash Forward listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/flashforward

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can You Be Sued By A River? Jun 28, 2022

Can you be sued by nature? In some places, the answer is already yes.

Guests:

Evelyn Bellanger -- White Earth Band of Ojibwe elder
Frank Bibeau -- tribal attorney and a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe
Nico Albert -- member of the Cherokee Nation and the executive chef of Burning Cedar Indigneous Foods
Jacinta Ruru -- professor of Law at the University of Otago in New Zealand
Thomas Linzey -- Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights
Teresa Vicente Gimenez — professor of philosophy of law at the University of Murcia.
Philomena Kebec -- Indian law expert

LISTEN TO THE 99 PERCENT INVISIBLE EPISODE HERE

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COMING SOON: Welcome to Vanguard Estates Oct 27, 2022

Oh, hello there. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I know this feed has been pretty quiet this year, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been working on things. In fact, next week, we’re going to drop a big project called Welcome to Vanguard Estates. It’s a fiction project, that is formatted as a choose your own path story with 14 different endings. So you’ll get a bunch of opportunities to actually pick what happens in the story.

The piece is about aging, and tech, and surveillance, and parents, and all that complicated, stressful, emotionally dense stuff.

Next week you’re going to get the whole story all at once, next week. So this is your warning, when you suddenly see 30 new episodes of Flash Forward all at once, that’s what that is.

After that (starting November 7th) we’re going to do some follow up episodes where we talk to experts about the real stuff that inspired the story. We'll cover everything from the neuroscience of aging, to research misconduct in Alzheimer's treatment, to robots that can put your clothes on, to the (dire) economics of care, to whether we should have nursing homes at all.

So gird your podcast loins, friends, because it’s going to be… something. I’m really excited for you to hear it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Welcome to Vanguard Estates Oct 31, 2022

If you want to leave him there, go to episode 2: Stay at Vanguard.

If you want to take your dad home, go to episode 3: Bring Him Home.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. Stay at Vanguard Oct 31, 2022

If you want to keep checking in on him with Drop In, go to episode 6: Use Drop-In.

If you want to disable Drop In, go to episode 7: Disable Drop-In.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3. Bring Him Home Oct 31, 2022

If you want to get in a home robot, go to episode 4: Buy A Home Robot.

If you want to try to go without the robot, go to episode 5: Call Him More.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4. Buy A Home Robot Oct 31, 2022

If you want to fully explain how Missy works, go to episode 8: Explain Missy.

If you want to keep things vague go to episode 9: Don’t Explain Missy.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5. Call Him More Oct 31, 2022

If you want to install cameras in his house go to episode 10: Install Cameras.

If you want to move him into your house, go to episode 11: Move Him In.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6. Use Drop-In Oct 31, 2022

If you want to stay quiet, go to episode 12: Don’t Tell Him.

If you want to say something and tell him about the stove, go to episode 13: Tell Him.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7. Disable Drop-In Oct 31, 2022

If you want to install a robot to bathe him, go to episode 14. Robot Baths.

If you want to hire a human, go to episode 15. Human Baths.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8. Explain Missy Oct 31, 2022

If you want to see if you can take him to Manila, go to episode 16: Go To Manila.

If you want to put your foot down and refuse, go to episode 17: Don’t Go To Manila.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9. Don’t Explain Missy Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10. Install Cameras Oct 31, 2022

If you want to handle the car and then work from there, go to episode 18: Handle it Yourself.

If you want to hire someone, go to episode 19: Pay for Help.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11. Move Him In Oct 31, 2022

If you want to drop your masters and shift things around, go to episode 20: Drop Out of School.

If you want to go for the loan, go to episode 21: Take Out a Loan.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12. Don't Tell Him Oct 31, 2022

If you want to step in and protest, go to episode 22: Stop the Robot.

If you want to let it go and let them run the show, go to episode 23: Trust the Robot

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13. Tell Him Oct 31, 2022

If you want to let it go, go to episode 24: Keep His Secret.

If you want to say something to the robots, go to episode 25: Report Him.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14. Robot Baths Oct 31, 2022

If you want to explain the hack to him, go to episode 26: Break the News.

If you want to keep the news from him, go to episode 27: Keep Quiet.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15. Human Baths Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16. Go To Manila Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17. Don’t Go To Manila Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18. Handle it Yourself Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19. Pay for Help Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20. Drop Out of School Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21. Take Out a Loan Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22. Stop the Robot Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23. Trust the Robot Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24. Keep His Secret Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25. Report Him Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26. Break the News Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27. Keep Quiet Oct 31, 2022

The End.

Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.

The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are:

Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston
Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby
Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem
Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs
Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam
Missy -- Anjali Kunapaneni
Robot # 2 -- Brett Tubbs
NPR Host -- Sandhya Dirks

An earlier version of Vanguard Estates was originally performed live for Pop-Up Magazine.

You can also play through a web version of the story at flashforwardpod.com/vanguard, which features really cool illustrations by Mattie Lubchansky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HOW TO LISTEN: Welcome To Vanguard Estates Oct 31, 2022

Hi friends, it’s Rose and I’m back with a new series from Flash Forward. It’s called Welcome to Vanguard Estates, and it’s in your feeds … now! The gist is simple, but I wanted to offer up this little explanation in case you’re like “what the heck why are there thirty new episodes of Flash Forward all of a sudden???”

So here’s the deal. Welcome to Vanguard Estates is a choose your own path story. Each episode has a number, and a short title, and at the end of every episode you’ll be presented with a choice. All you have to do is follow the numbers, or titles, whichever works best for your brain, and you’ll be on your way. Simple, yeah?

I personally think that this story is best experienced in audio — we worked really hard to score and sound design this thing and have some amazing voice actors along for the ride. But if you’d rather read the story, you can go to flashforwardpod.com/vanguard to play through online.

Starting next week, you’ll get a series of explainer episodes, where we talk to experts about all the things that inspired this story. We'll cover everything from the neuroscience of aging, to potential image tampering in Alzheimer's research, to robots that can put your clothes on, to the dire economics of care, to whether we should have nursing homes at all.

But for now, head to episode one, and begin your journey into the not so distant future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanguard Estates: Living With Dementia Nov 07, 2022

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: what it’s really like living with dementia, and caring for someone who has it?

Remember, listen to Welcome to Vanguard Estates first!

Guests:

Kate Swaffer: activist & author
Nikki: care partner & founder of A Log Cabin in Brooklyn

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Shaker and Spoon — A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/flashforward.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanguard Estates: The Future of the Aging Brain Nov 14, 2022

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: what even is dementia, and why can’t we cure it?

Guests:

Dr. Malú Gámez Tansey — professor of neuroscience and neurology at the University of Florida, and the co-director of the Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease
Dr. Tia Powell — psychiatrist and the director of the Center for Bioethics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, author of the book Dementia Reimagined: Building a Life of Joy and Dignity from Beginning to End.
Charles Piller — investigative reporter at Science magazine
Dr. Tanisha Hill-Jarrett — neuropsychologist and postdoctoral fellow at UCSF
Dr. Margot Kushel — professor of medicine at UCSF and the director of the Center for Vulnerable Populations and the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
Kate Swaffer: activist & author, co-founder of Dementia Alliance International
Nikki: care partner & founder of A Log Cabin in Brooklyn

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants!
Knowable: Learn today’s most in-demand skills with actionable, podcast-style lessons from top experts. Download the Knowable app or visit Knowable.fyi and use the code FLASHFORWARD for an additional 20% off.

The proceeds from ads on this episode will be donated to Moms 4 Housing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanguard Estates: Can Robots Really Help the Aging? Nov 21, 2022

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: can robots really help the aging? What are the pros and cons of these devices, and how do you evaluate their safety?

Guests:

Victor Wang: CEO of care.coach
Dr. Amanda Lazar: assistant professor at the University of Maryland College of Information Studies
Dr. Clara Berridge: associate professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work
Laurie Orlov: founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch
Kate Swaffer: activist & author, co-founder of Dementia Alliance International
Nikki: care partner & founder of A Log Cabin in Brooklyn
Dr. Tia Powell: psychiatrist and the director of the Center for Bioethics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, author of the book Dementia Reimagined: Building a Life of Joy and Dignity from Beginning to End.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanguard Estates: The True Cost of Care Nov 28, 2022

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today we’re digging into the economics of senior care — both for the families and individuals who need care, and those who provide it.

Guests:

Laurie Orlov: founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch
Dyvonne Body: community development specialist for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, lead author of The True Cost of Caregiving report.
Nikki: care partner & founder of A Log Cabin in Brooklyn
Dr. Alana Lee Glaser: assistant professor of anthropology at Saint John's University
Kate Swaffer: activist & author, co-founder of Dementia Alliance International
Dr. Clara Berridge: associate professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work
Victor Wang: CEO of care.coach

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanguard Estates: Where Do You Want to Grow Old? Dec 05, 2022

Today we wrap up out Vanguard Estates series with the ultimate question: where do you want to grow old? The answer is probably not in a nursing home. And yet, millions of people live in places whose general crappiness is a punchline in sitcoms and cartoons. Why? Can nursing homes be redeemed? What are our alternatives? And what could the future of aging look like, if we learned to care for one another better?

Guests:

Sarah Luterman: caregiving reporter at The 19th
Kate Swaffer: activist & author, co-founder of Dementia Alliance International
Dr. Alana Lee Glaser: assistant professor of anthropology at Saint John’s University
Jannette Spiering: Senior managing Advisor of The Hogeweyk

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

MORE ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT FOR FLASH FORWARD

Play the interactive version of Welcome to Vanguard Estates

Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // info@flashforwardpod.com

Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox

Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify

Episode Sponsors:

Volante Designs: If you’re looking for gear that makes you feel just as badass in real life as you do when you get a triple-S combo kill in game, look no further than Volante Design. Ethically sourced and manufactured, Volante jackets are made for quality and will last you for years to come. Just go to volantedesign.us and use code flashforward for 10% off your entire order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. HOPE Dec 27, 2022

Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the first episode in our three-part show finale!! As I say goodbye to Flash Forward, I wanted to leave you all with a rumination on how to think about the future. How do you stay hopeful? How do we imagine better futures? How do we actually GET those better futures? This is my three-part love letter to you all, and to tomorrow.

✨ BECOME A TIME TRAVELER ✨

Guests:

Jack Shepherd — former editorial director BuzzFeed, author of On Words and Up Words newsletter, co-host of Strange Bedfellows podcast
Dr. Adam Mastroianni — postdoctoral research scholar at Columbia Business School and author of Experimental History newsletter
Liz Neeley — science communicator and founder of Liminal
Dr. Ruha Benjamin — professor of African American studies at Princeton University and author of Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

This episode of Flash Forward was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Avery Trufelman; produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman and sound designed by Ariana Martinez. Much of the music in this episode is by Ilan Blanck. The outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Special thanks to Libby Larsen, who read Plates by Ethan Leos Verne; Emily C, who read Nailbunny’s post; Afi Yellow Duke who read “Sorrow is Not My Name” by Ross Gay; and Marge Piercy who read her poem “To be of use.”

Poems Credits

2. PRECIPICE Dec 27, 2022

Why does it always feel like we’re on the verge of something — great or terrible? And how do we resist the pull, the lull, and the stress of the void?

Guests:

Dr. Matt Connelly — historian at Columbia and author of the book The Declassification Engine
Dr. Susan Hough — seismologist at the US Geological Survey
Liz Neeley — science communicator and founder of Liminal
Eva Hagberg — architectural historian and the author of When Eero Met His Match.

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

✨ BECOME A TIME TRAVELER ✨

Poem Credits:

“Future Memories” by Mario Melendez translated by Eloisa Amezcua, Poetry Magazine, 2017, Reprinted by permission of author.

This episode of Flash Forward was written by me, Rose Eveleth, edited by Avery Trufelman, produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman and sound designed by Ariana Martinez. Much of the music in this episode is by Ilan Blanck. The outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky. The incredible beat that dropped at the end is by Lazerbeak.

Special thanks to Julia Furlan, who hit the streets of New York City to ask people about aliens for us. Thanks also to everybody who sent in voice memos around that question we couldn’t use them all and wow there were so many good ones. Thanks also to Ed Yong who read a passage from A hundred years hence : the expectations of an optimist; to Tracy K. Smith who read her poem Sci-Fi, and to Stanford University for letting us use that audio; to Jeffrey Nils Gardner who read Storming Toward a Precipice By Simon J. Ortiz; and to Elena Fernández Collins who called to the void for us and read Future Memories by Mario Melendez in both Spanish and English.

3. PUPATION Dec 27, 2022

Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the very last episode of the show ever. And on it we tackle the big, BIG question: how do you change the world? How do you change yourself? How do you change tomorrow?

✨ BECOME A TIME TRAVELER ✨

Guests:

Dr. Jessica Ware -- associate curator of invertebrates at the American Museum of Natural History
Sabrina Imbler -- journalist and author of How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures.
Dean Spade -- law professor at Seattle University School of Law and author of Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next)
Dr. Ruha Benjamin — professor of African American studies at Princeton University and author of Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want
Liz Neeley — science communicator and founder of Liminal

→ → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←

This episode of Flash Forward was written by me, Rose Eveleth, edited by Avery Trufelman, produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman and sound designed by Ariana Martinez. Much of the music in this episode is by Ilan Blanck. The outro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Mattie Lubchansky.

Special thanks to Kendra Snyder at the Museum of Natural History; Cass Adair, who read Sonnet Against Entropy by John M. Ford; Elena Rivera, who read The Hermit Crab by Mary Oliver; and to Siona Petrous, who read our Octavia Butler quote.

That’s all for Flash Forward, go forth and make better futures, okay?

Poem Credits

Sonnet Against Entropy, by John M. Ford, published by Tor in 2011

“The Hermit Crab” by Mary Oliver. Read by the permission of The Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency as agent for the author. Copyright © 1990, 2006, 2008, 2017 by Mary Oliver with permission of Bill Reichblum

That is solemn we have ended,— (87), by Emily Dickinson (public domain)

INTRODUCING: Tested Jul 15, 2024

Oh hey! It's me, Rose. And I'm here to share with you the first episode of my new show, Tested. This is a passion project of mine, and one that I've been trying to make a reality for many years. I really hope you listen, and enjoy!

You can find the rest of Tested anywhere you get your podcasts. Or here.
More at the Tested website.

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