Exploring Possibilities

Reality Sandwich

Phil and Stephen discuss the Hard Problem of Reality. Our notion of what’s real is increasingly being challenged by new technologies like AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) as well as algorithm-driven social sites […]

Exploring Possibilities

Foresight Visions, Part 1 — Existential Hope

Phil, Stephen, and PJ welcome Christine Peterson and Allison Duettmann for a two-part discussion on what’s new with the Foresight Institute and what’s going to be happening at the upcoming Foresight Vision Weekend  December 2-3. […]

Fast Forward

The Nanotech Debate Is Over

In this edition of Fast Forward, Christine Peterson, co-founder of the Foresight Institute, talks with our hosts Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon about her ongoing work exploring and educating the public about coming powerful technologies, […]

Exploring Possibilities

Visitors and Messages from the Stars

Phil and Stephen discuss remarkable recent discoveries related to space. Citizen scientist spots comet tails streaking past distant star Citizen scientist Thomas Jacobs was the first to spot tell-tale signs that a comet was orbiting […]

Exploring Possibilities

IQ 10,000

Following up on Monday’s show, Phil and Stephen explore the possibilities embedded in this recent prediction: Billionaire CEO of SoftBank: Robots will have an IQ of 10,000 in 30 years https://goo.gl/D5xeSS In about 30 years, […]

Accelerating Tech

Citizen Robot

Phil and Stephen review recent developments related to robotics and artificial intelligence. Meet the first-ever robot citizen — a humanoid named Sophia that once said it would ‘destroy humans’ https://goo.gl/qHBNXS Sophia the robot might not […]

Exploring Possibilities

Better than You Think? Part 2: Healthcare

Continuing their discussion of unexpected and often unnoticed positive change, Phil and Stephen, discuss recent encouraging developments related to health care. The starting point for this series is a recent article by Peter Diamandis: Why […]

Accelerating Tech

DIY Gene Editing and Other Health News

Phil and Stephen discuss surprising medical developments.   After 15 Years in a Vegetative State, Nerve Stimulation Restores Consciousness Researchers have been able to restore consciousness to a patient who has been in a vegetative […]

Data Technology

The Sentient Enterprise

How can businesses stay agile and competitive in the face of massive data volumes and a growing need for real-time answers, decisions, and responses? In his new book The Sentient Enterprise, data management executive Oliver Ratzesberger, […]

Exploring Possibilities

Cities of the Future

Futurist Thomas Frey joins Stephen Gordon in a discussion of the future of cities. Topics include: The technologies, social forces, and economic drivers that are transforming cities and the way we live in them. The […]

Accelerating Tech

Peak Electricity and the Future of Power

Futurist Thomas Frey joins Stephen Gordon in a discussion of issues related to the future of power. We seem to consuming less electricity than we were before. Will the trend hold up? And where will […]

Exploring Possibilities

The Future for Better or Worse

Phil and Stephen add a positive spin to some otherwise gloomy future scenarios. Richard Dawkins: A.I. Might Run the World Better Than Humans Do Will A.I. take us over, and one day look back on […]

Accelerating Tech

Unexpected (and Amazing) Breakthroughs

Phil and Stephen review some truly surprising developments in science and technology. Google Brain chief: AI tops humans in computer vision, and healthcare will never be the same “In 2011 their error rate was 26 […]

Entertainment

Don’t Fear Technology

We conclude our three-part interview with novelist and futurist PJ Manney discussing her new book, (ID)entity. Here’s part 1. Here’s part 2. Topics include: Why a fearful approach is the worst approach to take — […]

Entertainment

Attack of the Fembots!

Phil and Stephen continue their discussion with bestselling author PJ Manney about her new book (ID)entity. (Listen to Part 1 here.) Topics include: Equifax and security Would anyone believe this story if it were fiction? What consideration […]

Entertainment

PJ Manney and (ID)entity

Bestselling author PJ Manney joins Phil and Stephen for part one of a three-part interview discussing her new novel (ID)entity. In the guise of political revolutionary Thomas Paine, bioengineer Peter Bernhardt brought down the corrupt and […]

Exploring Possibilities

Older Than the Universe: Mysteries Big and Small

Phil and Stephen discuss mysteries both cosmic and small-scale. The Greatest Cosmic Puzzle: Astronomers Find Stars That Appear Older Than The Universe The oldest stars we’ve found in the Universe are nearly pristine, where almost […]