The World Transformed

Latest Episodes:

The $2500 Car, Best of TWT Feb 24, 2017

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[This show first aired January 13, 2008.] The topics: Adding hours to the day. Can we do without sleep?The $2,500 carBIG NEWS! Sirtris has completed their human trials of a life extension drug with positive results. They are hopeful that this drug can be brought to the market by 2012. If so, then Stephen's 2004 prediction that the first generation of life extension drugs would arrive by 2014 will be correct.MRI mind reading.We got into a discussion of the new Terminator television series: Sarah Connor Chronicles.Review of "Water Horse."The Pillars of the Earth.

New Space Race Plus Pizza-Delivering and Tax-Paying Robots Feb 23, 2017

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Phil and Stephen review a grab-bag of future-facing news. Uber CEO predicts humanoid robots will deliver pizza, AI chatbots to be in self-driving cars Trump administration investigating the large scale development of space with Spacex and Blue Origin likely big winners Bill Gates: the robot that takes your job should pay taxes McDonald's Re-Engineers Straw Using Fibonacci Formula To Let You Enjoy Shamrock Shake More WT 269-578

Tobias Buckell and Sly Mongoose, Best of TWT Feb 22, 2017

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[This show first aired January 4 2008.] The topics: Tobis discusses his new novel, which has a very intriguing settingWe talked about the creative process in writing Sci-Fi, blogging, and in making movies.Zubrin's ideas from Energy Victory have made their way onto the national stage.A completely new way to get energy from the sun.If you haven't read Tobias Buckell, take his novels out for a test drive! The first 1/3 of his novels are available for free at his website.

The Hackable Human: Frontiers of Human Augmentation Feb 21, 2017

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Phil and Stephen review current news indicating that the age of the hackable human is upon us. New Alzheimer’s Treatment Fully Restores Memory Function Australian researchers have come up with a non-invasive ultrasound technology that clears the brain of neurotoxic amyloid plaques - structures that are responsible for memory loss and a decline in cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. This Technology Could Finally Make Brain Implants Practical Outlawing microchipping humans not so far-fetched, Nevada senator says Senate Bill 109 would make it a Class C felony to require someone to be implanted with a radio frequency identifier, such as microchips placed in pets. George Church indicates reversal of aging will be a reality within ten years Join us WT 268-577

Basic Power: An Alternative to Basic Income? Feb 18, 2017

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Brian Wang outlines a new idea that can accelerate the end of poverty worldwide. Brian's Basic Power plan would bring inexpensive, off-the-grid electricity to the world's poorest people, bringing obvious economic benefits to them and perhaps less obvious economic benefits to the world as a whole. About Our Guest: Brian Wang (MBA) is a business oriented futurist and writer of over 20000 articles on nextbigfuture.com. Where he has provided in-depth coverage and analysis of emerging and disruptive technology and trends. * He has provided annual reviews of developments in nanotechnology to Singularity University * He has worked with the Institute for the Future to help advise the city of Hong Kong on their future development * He has given a TEDx lecture on Energy. He has also advised and lectured at large corporations on Artificial Intelligence and automation and robotics. Plus he is a contributor to our new book: Visions for a World Transformed WT 268-577

The Difference Ten Years Makes, Best of TWT Feb 17, 2017

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[This show originall aired January 31, 2007. My how things have changed! Check out this year in review from the end of FastForward Radio's first year if operation on Blogtalk Radio -- Actually we had only been up and running for about three months at this point Phil Bowermaster, PJ Manney, and Stephen Gordon discussed the technological developments of 2007 and their hopes for 2008 and beyond. What does a year in review show froma decade ago have to tell us about the way thiongs are now, and about the future? You might be surprised.

World Transformed Book Update (at Last!) Feb 16, 2017

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Big news: The World Transformed Book is finished and will be available soon as a kindle eBook via Amazon. Phil and Stephen discuss What’s the book? How it started New title: Visions for a World Transformed What took so long? (Phil explains.) What’s in it? PLUS Phil and Stephen discuss interesting scenarios from the book, including: An explanation of why humanity needs to stop getting used to things sucking(Related:Thoughts on why everybody needs to lighten up,)How amusement parks can play a critical role in settling the moonHow self-driving cars will kill a lot of people – and why we should switch to them as soon as possibleWhy we need prizes for acceleration ALSO: Big plans for the book? We've got some! AND... a special Wednesday edition of OTHER GEEK! Join us WT 267-576

James Hughes on Democracy and Transhumanism, Best of TWT Feb 15, 2017

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[This show originally aired 12/24/2007.] James Hughes' first appearance on FastForward Radio. Topics: James' workwith the World Transhumanist Association and the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies.How "sexy" became a tag line for James' radio show, Change Surfer Radio.We talked some about the disagreement that Hughes has had with Eliezer Yudkowsky. Hughes is less enthusiastic about friendly AI (Eliezer's primary interest) than human enhancement.Why transhumanists should be pro-democracy.How, in one sense, AI has been around for thousands of years. These ancient meta-intelligences might have something to say about how new AI's and transhumans develop.How Dr. Hughes takes issue with "The Army of Davids" approach from Glenn Reynolds. He argues, in essence, that we have the Davids, but not the army.How bio-conservatives on both the left and right are beginning to unite against transhumanism.How transhumanism differs around the world.What transhumanists may have in common with bio-conservatives.How mere environmentalism is not going to fix global warming - we should fix what we broke.

Drop Everything and Work on Artificial Intelligence Feb 14, 2017

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Phil and Stephen discuss the coming of artificial general intelligence and what it could mean to each of us. Drop Everything and Work on Artificial Intelligence A panel discussion froma recent Foresight Insttitute event which included the following panelists David Yanofksy Steve Omohundro Osh Agabi Monica Anderson Peter Voss Michael Andregg Nothing: What Will Remain Uniquely Human In An Age Of AI AIs will become better and faster than unenhanced homo sapiens at nearly everything. Why imitate humans when we're so fraught with faults? Can't AI do better? It’s Already Too Late to Stop the Singularity Let’s just go ahead and address the question on everyone’s mind: will AI kill us? What is the negative potential of transhuman superintelligence? WT 266-575

Preventing the Economic Robot Apocalypse Feb 11, 2017

Show notes

Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon discuss the economic consequences of rampant utomation Chinese factory replaces 90% of human workers with robots. Production rises by 250%, defects drop by 80% According to Monetary Watch, the Changying Precision Technology Company focuses on the production of mobile phones and uses automated production lines. The factory used to be run by 650 employees, but now just 60 people get the entire job done... SHOP-POCALYPSE Amazon planning to open robotic supermarket staffed by just THREE humans, sources claim If you’re a robot stealing somebody’s job, it’s best to stay hidden. These 23 Principles Could Help Us Avoid an AI Apocalypse Relevant to our discussion: 10) Value Alignment 11) Human Values 14) Shared Benefit 15) Shared Prosperity OTHER GEEK What's on Netflix? WT 265-574

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