Future Tense

Latest Episodes:

Fashion’s fast future Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

Fashion is getting even faster, but there are also efforts underway to rein-in the waste and make fabrics from more environmentally-friendly materials.

Space pollution, stunted high-rise and the joy of missing out Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

As Earth’s upper atmosphere becomes more congested, it’s also becoming more polluted, and the impact could be dire. Also, why doing without could make for a fuller future; and what’s behind China’s ban on really tall buildings?

The opportunity costs of global pollution Feb 06, 2022

Show notes

Pollution has long been seen as a health problem, but increasingly its being redefined as an opportunity cost to both individuals and society - and as a burden on future generations.

Rare Earths and the difficulties of supply Jan 30, 2022

Show notes

Rare Earths are essential to modern life, but their extraction comes at a price. So, how do we clean-up mining efforts & build a diverse network of suppliers without destroying the environment?

Is dumbness our destiny? Jan 23, 2022

Show notes

Most of us are healthier, wealthier and better educated than ever before. We have greater access to knowledge and expertise than any previous generation. So, why do humans keep doing stupid things? And why is the world awash with conspiracy? Have we already passed “peak intelligence”? And if so, what can we do to ensure a smarter future?

Litigating our way out of climate change Jan 16, 2022

Show notes

Responses to climate change are often marked by frustration as much as fear. Those seeking to end our fossil-fuel dependency are increasingly turning to litigation to force the hands of companies and governments - often on human rights grounds. But do the courts have a legitimate role to play in leading the way? Or is this a form of judicial activism?

The power of storytelling – a cautionary tale Jan 09, 2022

Show notes

Stories like opinions have become a necessity of modern life. Everybody is encouraged to have an opinion and everybody – in the vernacular of countless motivation speakers – is encouraged to be the “hero of their own story”. But are we in danger of making too much of them? If the story becomes the central device for much of our communication, do we risk losing our sense of objective reality?

Is the process of ageing inevitable? Jan 02, 2022

Show notes

Some animals, like sea sponges, can live for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. They also never get cancer. Understanding why that’s the case has led scientists to question conventional notions of ageing. The idea that future humans may never grow old now seems theoretically possible.

Rewilding to safeguard biodiversity Dec 26, 2021

Show notes

Rewilding is a conservation approach based on the reintroduction of lost animal species to their natural habitats. Its original manifestation was controversial because it centred on apex predators like wolves. But the approach has matured and advocates believe it now has a crucial role to play in securing future biodiversity levels.

Social media: harm and transformative justice Dec 19, 2021

Show notes

Despite increased safety features, policies and content moderation practices, social media platforms continue to be sites where people perpetrate and experience harm. A new approach to platform governance called Transformative and Restorative Justice could help address the underlying causes of harmful behaviour and promote safer and more inclusive digital communities.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Future Tense

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6