The World Transformed

Latest Episodes:

Mission to Pluto: Planet or Not, Here We Come! Jul 10, 2015

Show notes

First it was a planet that wasn't there. Then it was a planet. Then it got demoted. Some people were okay with that; some were kind of ticked. But whatever it is -- planet, dwarf planet, planetoid, round rocky thing out there past Neptune -- the New Horizons’ Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) is closing in on Pluto, giving us our first up-close glimpse of this distant and mysterious body. We've already learned that Pluto has a great big heart (see images above.) What other secrets is it about to reveal? Tune in and explore as hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon discuss our mission to Pluto and other futuristically delicious topics: Diesel from Air Swapping Minds Connecting Animal Brains Hacking Gut Bacteria Waves Adding Power to the Grid Breakthroughs of 2015 (so far)

You Want the Truth? You Can't Handle the Truth! Jun 26, 2015

Show notes

My own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. J. B. S. Haldane Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon take you on a ride through time to a future that you weren't expecting and probably won't believe. How weird can it get? (And how fast?) Plus -- how can we possibly know the future when our knowledge of the world as it exists is so woefully inadequate? Join us for a look into the world of today -- which is stranger than we imagine -- and the world of tomorrow -- which is very likely stranger than we can imagine. Referenced: Our Quantum Problem Unbelievable facts about the universe Little Known Scientific Facts

Latest News from the Neighborhood Jun 19, 2015

Show notes

Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon discuss a wide range of future-impacting topics all originating right here in our own neighborhood. Topics include: Tiny probes going to Mars -- No they aren't "Nano" probes, but they still might have something inteersting to tell us about the future of space travel. Hybrid Airships -- Coming to a big field near you? More oil on Titan than on Earth -- Peak oil solved at last! "Brain-to_Text" system converts speech brainwave patterns to text -- That much closer to mind-reading computers. Does a black hole create a hologram copy of anything that touches it? -- And, if so, how I can use that to get rich? Plus loads of other futuristically fun topics. Join us. WT 118

(R)evolution with PJ Manney Jun 02, 2015

Show notes

Author PJ Manney discusses her new techno-thriller (R)evolution with hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon. Bioengineer Peter Bernhardt has dedicated his life to nanotechnology, the science of manipulating matter on the atomic scale. As the founder of Biogineers, he is on the cusp of revolutionizing brain therapies with microscopic nanorobots that will make certain degenerative diseases a thing of the past. But after his research is stolen by an unknown enemy, seventy thousand people die in Las Vegas in one abominable moment. This catastrophe sets in motion events that will forever change not only his life but also the course of human evolution. Desperate, Peter turns to an old friend, who introduces him to the Phoenix Club, a cabal of the most powerful men in the world. To make himself more valuable to his new colleagues, Peter infuses his brain with experimental technology, exponentially upgrading his mental prowess and transforming him irrevocably. As he’s exposed to unimaginable wealth and influence, Peter’s sense of reality begins to unravel. Do the club members want to help him, or do they just want to claim his technology? What will they do to him once they have their prize? And while he’s already evolved beyond mere humanity, is he advanced enough to take on such formidable enemies and win? PJ Manney is a former chairperson of Humanity+, the author of "Empathy in the Time of Technology: How Storytelling is the Key to Empathy," and a frequent guest host and guest on The World Transformed. She has worked in motion-picture PR at Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures, story development and production for independent film production companies (Hook, Universal Soldier, It Could Happen to You), and writing for television (Hercules--The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess).

Make Everything Free (Starting with this Show) May 22, 2015

Show notes

Some pundits are saying that a complete reset of the the economy is in order or is perhaps even inevitable. Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon argue that nobody is thinking nearly big enough, or long-term enough about re-setting the economy. Accordingly, they present a modest proposal for changing the economy: MAKE EVERYTHING FREE. How do we go about making everything free? We start with some of the big stuff: FREE GOVERNMENT FREE MONEY FREE ENERGY FREE HEALTHCARE FREE STUFF FREE PAYCHECK / FREE OWNERSHIP Your hosts discuss how all these ideas can work together, and why FREE DIRT might be a deciding factor. Join us! (WT 116)

How to Worry Wisely: And What Not to Worry About May 15, 2015

Show notes

Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon explore future-related developments beginning with a piece from the Economist on why we should move forward (cautiously) with artificial intelligence. If you want a quick lesson in how much the world has changed in recent years, get your head around these ideas: 1. It's an article on aritificial general intelligence in the Economist 2. It takes the idea of AI seriously and points out the risks 3. It says we should go ahead with it. Welcome to the future, folks! Other topics: Tesla's home battery business goes viral NASA's Impossible Drive IBM's Watson supercomputer to speed up cancer care Cars without Windows? Join us! WT 115

Past Performance: Why Failed Ideas Succeed Later May 02, 2015

Show notes

A decade and a half ago, WebVan, a same-day grocery delivery service, crashed and burned in what was probably the most spectacular failure of the original dot-com bust. Many lessons were learned from the Webvan story, but were they the right lessons? Today Amazon, Wal-Mart and others are scaling up same-day delivery while a company like Deliv might just be the next Uber. What happened? What changed? Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon explore some of the possible differences between the world of WebVan and our world by looking at some interesting current news items: Consider Pitching A “Virtual Startup” To Your Boss How successful people work less—and get more done Nest CEO Tony Fadell on the Future of the Internet In 2025, IKEA Thinks Your Kitchen Will Include Drones Wait, what does any of this have to do with same-day delivery? Tune in and explore. (WT 114)

10 Things You Don't Know About the Future Apr 24, 2015

Show notes

Think you know the future? Well, think again. Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon present a list of 10 potentially startling, mystifying, and some downright shocking things that are in your future, or the world's future, that you may have not thought of or even heard about before. So, granted, it should probably be called "10 things you PROBABLY" don't know about the future." But if you don't know even one of them...let's just say that any one item on the list has the potential to change everything. Join us.

Look Out! Robots Are Everywhere! Apr 17, 2015

Show notes

Robots Are Everywhere Yes it is our second robot-themed show in as many weeks. But there's no keeping up with them. We could do a robot-themed show every day and we still wouldn't be able to keep up. Where are the robots now? They are in our kitchens.They are in our workplaces.They are running hotels (or will be soon)The are on the battlefield (or will be soon)They are on the scene in disaster sites where no human could survive.They are swarming in the air.And very soon -- they are headed for the great beyond? Are you ready for a world that is ARATT (all robots, all the time?) Tune in and explore.

Robots That Won't Kill You (and Other Things to Look Forward to) Apr 10, 2015

Show notes

Hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon present a grab-bag of future-related topics, including: Efforts to turn the corner in human / robot relations. How do we go from seeing robots as a threat to working collaboratively with them?The lost "miracle material" that could have saved the world?New entrants in private space exploration and development. Why is competition so important?Closing in on the truly affordable vat-grown burger.Who is up for a trip to Europa? Lots of water up there. What might we find if we go there?In the future everything will be a coffeeshop. Especially college. A full hour of futurifically good discussion. Join us!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected