Future Tense

Latest Episodes:

Emotional Intelligence and the promise of a better workplace Jul 10, 2022

Show notes

It’s not enough to be smart. If you’re to avoid being automated out of a job in future, you’ll need to develop your Emotional Intelligence. New research suggests more and more companies see an organisational benefit in promoting such skills. But is the rhetoric being backed up with training? Also, a reality check on the “great resignation” - has the pandemic really spawned a new era of job mobility?

Algorithmic audiencing, bioluminescent lighting and the virtues of a circular city Jul 03, 2022

Show notes

We examine the role algorithms play in limiting free-speech; we hear about the development of bacteria-driven lighting in France; we explore how the shape of our cities can influence weather patterns; and we learn about new research that applies a chemical approach to the simulation of touch.

A non-proliferation treaty for fossil fuels Jun 26, 2022

Show notes

It’s time to attack the “supply side” of fossil fuels, activists argue. And the best way to do that is by establishing a fuel non-proliferation treaty similar to the one used for nuclear weapons. But what would it entail and could it ever work? Also, the sticky relationship between online personalisation and consent; and a call for CEOs to become the next target of automation.

Reembracing the spirit of public service Jun 19, 2022

Show notes

The Future is Public is a global campaign aimed at creating a new narrative around public service. It’s about curbing the dominance of Neoliberalism in public policy. While in Australia, there are expectations the new government in Canberra will decrease the use of external consultants and make changes to the way government departments and agencies operate.

Cities – the hot beds of evolution Jun 12, 2022

Show notes

Urban life has not only reshaped what it means to be human, cities are also changing animals. Rats in different parts of New York are evolving separately. Ecologist Rob Dunn describes cities as accelerators of evolution. Also in this episode, how city administrators compete for dominance using the same approach as social media influencers. And why house-flipping has gone algorithmic.

Disinformation and propaganda in a time of conflict Jun 05, 2022

Show notes

The crisis in Ukraine, like all wars, is a testing ground for new tactics and weapons. It’s also a conflict fought off the battlefield – on people’s computers, televisions and smartphones So, what have we learnt about the power of propaganda and disinformation during the current conflict? Also, the urge to shut-down – why governments of varying persuasions keep pulling the plug on their own internet services.

The Earth BioGenome Project; the church of women; and what do we really think about facial recognition technology? May 29, 2022

Show notes

In this program we explore an ambitious science project aimed at to documenting the genomes of all known creatures; we'll hear why the future of the Anglican church is female; and explore the latest research into public perceptions of facial recognition technology.

The population conundrum May 22, 2022

Show notes

Concerns that we'll soon have too many people on the Earth sit alongside apprehension that we are facing a looming demographic crisis. So how do we address both issues without further damaging the planet?

Does data science need a Hippocratic oath? May 15, 2022

Show notes

The use and misuse of our data can have enormous personal and societal consequences, so what ethical constraints are there on data scientists?

Cliodynamics, the Hinge of History and why all history is revisionist May 08, 2022

Show notes

The idea that history is circular is called Cliodynamics and it’s currently in vogue with many commentators on international affairs. But do such theories help or hinder our understanding of history and its predictive powers?

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