The World Transformed

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FastForward Radio -- Dude, You're Harshing my Mellow! Jan 27, 2011

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Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome futurists Michael Anissimov and PJ Manney to discuss the importance of bleak scenarios for the future, even in the face of criticism that one is being "too negative." Maybe being an optimist isn't enough -- maybe the important thing is what KIND of optimist you are.

FastForward Archives #10 -- with Guest PJ Manney Jan 25, 2011

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This program, which first aired December 2, 2007, is the first ever appearance of our good friend P J Manney on FastForward Radio. This is a fun, but serious, discussion of the importance of empathy and the role of geeks in making the future happen. Original Description Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome author and futurist PJ Manney to the show. PJ is a novelist who also wrote screenplays for the Hercules and Xena shows. And she's an opinionated and thoughtful futurist. Don't miss it!

WT Archives: Acceleration, Convergence, and Human Destiny Jan 23, 2011

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This program, which first aired August 25, 2009 features part 1 of our interview with futurist John Smart. Original Description The World Transformed, Part 10 Our landmark 10-part series concludes with an exploration of two key driving forces behind the amazing era of transformation in which we find ourselves: acceleration and convergence. Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome futurist John Smart to discuss how these forces are shaping the future of humanity, and what our ultimate destiny might be. About our guest: John Smart is a futures scholar and systems theorist who studies science and technological culture with an emphasis on accelerating change, evolutionary development, computational autonomy (human-independent machine learning) and the technological singularity. He is the founder and president of the Acceleration Studies Foundation.

FastForward Radio - "The Grand Design" Jan 20, 2011

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Phil and Stephen discuss Stephen Hawking's book, The Grand Design. Does Hawking finally explain everything about everything? (High time someone did!) Does this book disprove the existence of God? Plus, what is the Speculist view on whether or not our universe is the product of a "design?" Tune in and find out!

FastForward Archives #9 -- with Dave Gobel Jan 19, 2011

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This show as first broadcast November 25, 2007. It features an interview with Methuselah Mouse Prize co-founder Dave Gobel. Original Description Phil and Stephen are back with an interview of Dave Gobel. Dave cofounded with Aubrey de Grey the Methuselah Mouse Prize - a prize for proving life extension technologies in mice. This interview explains why developing life extension matters more, fundamentally, that almost anything else we can put our efforts into.

WT Archives: The Technological Singularity Jan 16, 2011

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Ray Kurzweil on FastForward Radio Originally broadcast August 18, 2009, this edition of The World Transformed features best-selling author and world-renowned inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil. Original description: The World Transformed, Part 9 What is the Singularity? Is it the biggest transformation of all or wishful thinking on the part of nerds looking to have their very own "geek rapture?" Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome futurist and entrepreneur Ray Kurzweil to discuss how accelerating technological change will soon alter our world beyond recognition...and why that's a good thing! Ray Kurzweil has been described as “the restless genius” by the Wall Street Journal, and “the ultimate thinking machine” by Forbes magazine. Inc. magazine ranked him #8 among entrepreneurs in the United States, calling him the “rightful heir to Thomas Edison.” He is a man who wears many hats -- businessman, inventor, artist, visionary, and bestselling author. With his book The Singularity Is Near he has probably done more than anyone else to alert the the public as to the amazing period of transformation in which we now live.

Give Me the Bad News First Jan 13, 2011

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Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon discuss the sometimes odd relationship between good news and bad news, with examples from the economy, technology, family life, and FastForward Radio. PLUS: the 10 diseases that will be treatable within the next 20 years.

WT Archives: The End of Scarcity and the Age of Abundance Jan 09, 2011

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Part 8 of The World Transformed features an exploration of how massive technological change can bring about a new kind of economy. Original Description The World Transformed, Part 8 What would life be like in a world without poverty? How about a world in which everyone is, essentially, rich? The answer may be just around the corner. Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome a panel of futurists to discuss how the end of scarcity will revolutionize society, the economy, and life as we know it. About Our Guests Paul Fernhout writes essays about future-oriented themes (including Post-Scarcity Princeton and The Lion and the Butterfly), does free and open source software development, and shares homeschooling duties with his wife, Cynthia Kurtz. Joseph Jackson is a philosopher and social entrepreneur. A graduate of Harvard College AB (Government 2004) and the London School of Economics Msc (Philosophy of Science 2005), he leads the Network for Open Scientific Innovation, a 501(c)3 organization seeking to promote the emergence of Open Source models in the life sciences. Sally Morem writes essays on science, science fiction, political philosophy, and the future of technology, including The Problems with Linear Projections of the Future,Yes, the World is Round, Nanotechnology Explained, and The Magic Universe of George Lucas.

FastForward Radio -- Everything in an Instant Jan 06, 2011

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Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon discuss the rapid access to information and communication which make this the age of instant everything -- instant success, instant failure, instant expertise, instant cliches, and much more.

FastForward Archives #8 -- Brian Wang on Human Enhancement Jan 04, 2011

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This program first aired November 18, 2007. Brian Wang's first appearance on FastForward Radio! Original description: Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon welcome nanotechnologist Brian Wang to the show. We talked about the crappy beta versions of human enhancement that some people are experimenting with today, often to their detriment. When will better enhancements be available? Click here for the show notes. If the link doesn't work, click "More" below and try the link again.

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