Flash Forward artwork

Flash Forward

194 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 1.5K ratings

Flash Forward is a show about possible (and not so possible) future scenarios. What would the warranty on a sex robot look like? How would diplomacy work if we couldn’t lie? Could there ever be a fecal transplant black market? (Complicated, it wouldn’t, and yes, respectively, in case you’re curious.) Hosted and produced by award winning science journalist Rose Eveleth, each episode combines audio drama and journalism to go deep on potential tomorrows, and uncovers what those futures might really be like. The future is going to be weird, so let's get ready for it together.

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Episodes

3. PUPATION

December 27, 2022 03:01 - 28 minutes - 43.4 MB

Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the very last episode of the show ever. And on it we tackle the big, BIG question: how do you change the world? How do you change yourself? How do you change tomorrow? ✨ BECOME A TIME TRAVELER ✨ Guests: Dr. Jessica Ware -- associate curator of invertebrates at the American Museum of Natural History Sabrina Imbler -- journalist and author of How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures. Dean Spade -- law professor at Seattle...

2. PRECIPICE

December 27, 2022 03:00 - 39 minutes - 56.4 MB

Why does it always feel like we’re on the verge of something — great or terrible? And how do we resist the pull, the lull, and the stress of the void?   Guests: Dr. Matt Connelly — historian at Columbia and author of the book The Declassification Engine Dr. Susan Hough — seismologist at the US Geological Survey Liz Neeley — science communicator and founder of Liminal  Eva Hagberg — architectural historian and the author of When Eero Met His Match.  → → →  Further reading & res...

1. HOPE

December 27, 2022 00:00 - 35 minutes - 59.9 MB

Welcome to the end of Flash Forward. This is the first episode in our three-part show finale!! As I say goodbye to Flash Forward, I wanted to leave you all with a rumination on how to think about the future. How do you stay hopeful? How do we imagine better futures? How do we actually GET those better futures? This is my three-part love letter to you all, and to tomorrow.  ✨ BECOME A TIME TRAVELER ✨ Guests: Jack Shepherd — former editorial director BuzzFeed, author of On Words an...

Vanguard Estates: Where Do You Want to Grow Old?

December 05, 2022 20:22 - 40 minutes - 46.9 MB

Today we wrap up out Vanguard Estates series with the ultimate question: where do you want to grow old? The answer is probably not in a nursing home. And yet, millions of people live in places whose general crappiness is a punchline in sitcoms and cartoons. Why? Can nursing homes be redeemed? What are our alternatives? And what could the future of aging look like, if we learned to care for one another better?  Guests: Sarah Luterman: caregiving reporter at The 19th Kate Swaffer: ...

Vanguard Estates: The True Cost of Care

November 28, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 49.2 MB

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today we’re digging into the economics of senior care — both for the families and individuals who need care, and those who provide it.  Guests: Laurie Orlov: founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch Dyvonne Body: community development specialist for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, lead author of The True Cost of Caregiving repo...

Vanguard Estates: Can Robots Really Help the Aging?

November 21, 2022 18:32 - 36 minutes - 41.7 MB

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: can robots really help the aging? What are the pros and cons of these devices, and how do you evaluate their safety?  Guests: Victor Wang: CEO of care.coach Dr. Amanda Lazar: assistant professor at the University of Maryland College of Information Studies Dr. Clara Berridge: associate professor at the University of Washington Sch...

Vanguard Estates: The Future of the Aging Brain

November 14, 2022 18:40 - 46 minutes - 53 MB

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: what even is dementia, and why can’t we cure it?   Guests: Dr. Malú Gámez Tansey — professor of neuroscience and neurology at the University of Florida, and the co-director of the Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease Dr. Tia Powell — psychiatrist and the director of the Center for Bioethics at Albert Eins...

Vanguard Estates: Living With Dementia

November 07, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 42.9 MB

In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the real science, policy, economics, law and ethics that inspired the events of Vanguard Estates. Today: what it’s really like living with dementia, and caring for someone who has it?  Remember, listen to Welcome to Vanguard Estates first! Guests: Kate Swaffer: activist & author  Nikki: care partner & founder of A Log Cabin in Brooklyn  → → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ←  Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and pro...

HOW TO LISTEN: Welcome To Vanguard Estates

October 31, 2022 14:27 - 1 minute - 2.82 MB

Hi friends, it’s Rose and I’m back with a new series from Flash Forward. It’s called Welcome to Vanguard Estates, and it’s in your feeds … now! The gist is simple, but I wanted to offer up this little explanation in case you’re like “what the heck why are there thirty new episodes of Flash Forward all of a sudden???”  So here’s the deal. Welcome to Vanguard Estates is a choose your own path story. Each episode has a number, and a short title, and at the end of every episode you’ll ...

27. Keep Quiet

October 31, 2022 14:26 - 2 minutes - 5.08 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

26. Break the News

October 31, 2022 14:25 - 2 minutes - 6.07 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

25. Report Him

October 31, 2022 14:24 - 4 minutes - 10.9 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

24. Keep His Secret

October 31, 2022 14:23 - 5 minutes - 12.2 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

23. Trust the Robot

October 31, 2022 14:22 - 6 minutes - 15.1 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

22. Stop the Robot

October 31, 2022 14:21 - 4 minutes - 11.4 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

21. Take Out a Loan

October 31, 2022 14:20 - 5 minutes - 12.7 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

20. Drop Out of School

October 31, 2022 14:19 - 5 minutes - 13.2 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

19. Pay for Help

October 31, 2022 14:18 - 3 minutes - 7.02 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

18. Handle it Yourself

October 31, 2022 14:17 - 3 minutes - 7.29 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

17. Don’t Go To Manila

October 31, 2022 14:16 - 4 minutes - 9.66 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

16. Go To Manila

October 31, 2022 14:15 - 4 minutes - 6.6 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

15. Human Baths

October 31, 2022 14:14 - 4 minutes - 10 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

14. Robot Baths

October 31, 2022 14:13 - 5 minutes - 12.3 MB

If you want to explain the hack to him, go to episode 26: Break the News. If you want to keep the news from him, go to episode 27: Keep Quiet. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani ...

13. Tell Him

October 31, 2022 14:12 - 6 minutes - 14.1 MB

If you want to let it go, go to episode 24: Keep His Secret. If you want to say something to the robots, go to episode 25: Report Him. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones --...

12. Don't Tell Him

October 31, 2022 14:11 - 2 minutes - 6.3 MB

If you want to step in and protest, go to episode 22: Stop the Robot. If you want to let it go and let them run the show, go to episode 23: Trust the Robot Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Ho...

11. Move Him In

October 31, 2022 14:10 - 5 minutes - 11.6 MB

If you want to drop your masters and shift things around, go to episode 20: Drop Out of School. If you want to go for the loan, go to episode 21: Take Out a Loan. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- K...

10. Install Cameras

October 31, 2022 14:09 - 3 minutes - 8.85 MB

If you want to handle the car and then work from there, go to episode 18: Handle it Yourself. If you want to hire someone, go to episode 19: Pay for Help. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Hou...

9. Don’t Explain Missy

October 31, 2022 14:08 - 4 minutes - 11.3 MB

The End. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -- Shara Kirby  Robot #1 -- Ashley Kellem Amy -- Chelsey B Coombs  Vanguard Estates Representative -- Aiya Islam  Missy -- An...

8. Explain Missy

October 31, 2022 14:07 - 5 minutes - 12.6 MB

If you want to see if you can take him to Manila, go to episode 16: Go To Manila. If you want to put your foot down and refuse, go to episode 17: Don’t Go To Manila. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -...

7. Disable Drop-In

October 31, 2022 14:06 - 4 minutes - 10.8 MB

If you want to install a robot to bathe him, go to episode 14. Robot Baths. If you want to hire a human, go to episode 15. Human Baths. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones -...

6. Use Drop-In

October 31, 2022 14:05 - 3 minutes - 5.04 MB

If you want to stay quiet, go to episode 12: Don’t Tell Him. If you want to say something and tell him about the stove, go to episode 13: Tell Him. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston I...

5. Call Him More

October 31, 2022 14:04 - 4 minutes - 9.46 MB

If you want to install cameras in his house go to episode 10: Install Cameras. If you want to move him into your house, go to episode 11: Move Him In. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston...

4. Buy A Home Robot

October 31, 2022 14:03 - 3 minutes - 7.29 MB

If you want to fully explain how Missy works, go to episode 8: Explain Missy. If you want to keep things vague go to episode 9: Don’t Explain Missy. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston ...

3. Bring Him Home

October 31, 2022 14:02 - 3 minutes - 8.28 MB

If you want to get in a home robot, go to episode 4: Buy A Home Robot. If you want to try to go without the robot, go to episode 5: Call Him More. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Im...

2. Stay at Vanguard

October 31, 2022 14:01 - 3 minutes - 7.25 MB

If you want to keep checking in on him with Drop In, go to episode 6: Use Drop-In. If you want to disable Drop In, go to episode 7: Disable Drop-In. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston ...

1. Welcome to Vanguard Estates

October 31, 2022 14:00 - 8 minutes - 19.8 MB

If you want to leave him there, go to episode 2: Stay at Vanguard. If you want to take your dad home, go to episode 3: Bring Him Home. Vanguard Estates is a production of Flash Forward. The story was written by me, Rose Eveleth; edited by Ace Tilton Radcliffe and Georgia Wyatt; and produced by Ozzy Llinas Goodman. The sound design is by Mischa Stanton and music is by Ilan Blanck.  The voice actors for Welcome to Vanguard Estates are: Marcus Jones -- Keith Houston Imani Jones --...

COMING SOON: Welcome to Vanguard Estates

October 27, 2022 17:12 - 2 minutes - 3.69 MB

Oh, hello there. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I know this feed has been pretty quiet this year, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been working on things. In fact, next week, we’re going to drop a big project called Welcome to Vanguard Estates. It’s a fiction project, that is formatted as a choose your own path story with 14 different endings. So you’ll get a bunch of opportunities to actually pick what happens in the story.  The piece is about aging, and tech, and surveillance, and...

Can You Be Sued By A River?

June 28, 2022 07:00 - 54 minutes - 74.9 MB

Can you be sued by nature? In some places, the answer is already yes.  Guests: Evelyn Bellanger -- White Earth Band of Ojibwe elder Frank Bibeau -- tribal attorney and a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Nico Albert -- member of the Cherokee Nation and the executive chef of Burning Cedar Indigneous Foods Jacinta Ruru -- professor of Law at the University of Otago in New Zealand Thomas Linzey -- Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights ...

ROBOTS: Could Robots Replace Animals?

December 22, 2021 00:37 - 1 hour - 86.8 MB

Today’s episode is the last of our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. This week we’re headed to a future where humans share our robotic knowledge with the rest of the animal kingdom—for better, and for worse. ✨✨ TAKE THE LISTENER SURVEY HERE ✨✨ ⭐⭐ SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER HERE  ⭐⭐ Guests: Dr. Kate Darling, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab and author of The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots. Emma Marris, ...

FINAL EPISODE!! ROBOTS: Could Robots Replace Animals?

December 22, 2021 00:37 - 1 hour

Today’s episode is the last of our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. This week we’re headed to a future where humans share our robotic knowledge with the rest of the animal kingdom—for better, and for worse. ✨✨ TAKE THE LISTENER SURVEY HERE ✨✨ ⭐⭐ SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER HERE  ⭐⭐ Guests: Dr. Kate Darling, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab and author of The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots. Emma Marris, a journalist...

ROBOTS: Would You Date A Robot?

December 14, 2021 20:19 - 1 hour - 93.3 MB

Today we travel to a future where we can take a robot home for a good time, or a long time, depending on what you’re into. Content note: today’s episode discusses sex and includes explicit language. This one is more “mature” than most episodes, so proceed accordingly.  ✨ REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE WRAP PARTY HERE! ✨ Guests: Tina Horn: author of SFSX (Volume 2 out now) and host of Why Are People Into That?  Danielle Blunt: dominatrix and community organizer with Hacking//Hustli...

ROBOTS: Should A Robot Be Allowed To Kill?

November 24, 2021 19:20 - 1 hour - 82.2 MB

Today we travel to a future where militaries employ killer robots. Should a robot be allowed to take a human life? Is the speed of war increasing too quickly? What does a tech worker do when they find out their work is being used for war? Guests: Kelsey Atherton, a reporter who covers military technology. Ryan Calo, a professor of law at the University of Washington. Dr. Ryan Jenkins, an associate professor of philosophy at California Polytechnic State University. Liz O’Sulliva...

ROBOTS: Will Robots Ever Defeat Human Athletes?

November 10, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 72.9 MB

Today’s episode is part one in our FOUR PART MINI SEASON SERIES AND SHOW FINALE [airhorn noises]. We’re going out with a robotic bang: four episodes about four different ways that robots might impact your life in the future, starting with sports. Also, you'll hear a special announcement about the future of the show. For more about that go here. Guests: Joe Choong, gold medalist in the Tokyo Olympic games in modern pentathlon. Dr. Peter Stone, a professor of computer science at t...

What If We Could Shrink Humans?

October 27, 2021 17:01 - 51 minutes - 59.2 MB

Today’s episode is about a future where humans learn how to shrink ourselves. What are the ethics of making someone smaller against their will? Would we keep all our fingers and toes? Would we even be considered humans anymore? Guests: Dr. Fei Chen, an assistant professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard. Dr. Jonathan Payne, a professor of geological sciences at Stanford. Dr. Sebastian Alvarado, an assistant professor of biology at Queens College, CUNY. Dr. Joyc...

What If We Could Shrink Technology?

October 13, 2021 19:51 - 53 minutes - 61.3 MB

Today’s episode is all about making our technologies and medicines tiny. Like, super tiny.  Guests: Ainissa Ramirez -- scientist, speaker, author of The Alchemy of Us Eun Ji Chung -- biomedical engineer at the University of Southern California Inge Hermann -- chemical engineer at ETH Zürich Raj Bawa -- biotechnologist at Bawa Biotech  Richard Handy -- environmental toxicologist at University of Plymouth Lisa Yaszek -- professor of science fiction studies at Georgia Tech Voic...

Can You Find This Human?

September 28, 2021 22:00 - 54 minutes - 62.1 MB

Today we travel to a future where your face is findable no matter where you go.  Guests: Scott Myers — former editor of the Perplex City Wiki Laura E. Hall — game designer and author of Planning Your Escape Tom-Lucas Säger — technologist & Satoshi finder Stan Alcorn — senior reporter at Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting Erin — long lost camp friend Dr. Kate Klonick — assistant professor of law at St. John’s University School of Law → → → Further reading & re...

What Is The Future Of Gender?

September 22, 2021 13:30 - 53 minutes - 61.7 MB

Today we revisit an episode from way back in season one, and ask: what even is gender in the first place? How could it be different? Why does science fiction like playing with gender? And what would happen if we removed it from our legal identities? Guests: Os Keyes, a PhD student at the University of Washington who studies gender, disability, and technology. Dr. Flora Renz, co-director of the Centre for Sexuality, Race and Gender Justice at Kent Law School. Tuck Woodstock, a pr...

Can We Conquer Fire?

September 01, 2021 15:42 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MB

Today’s episode is all about fire: how does it work? Why is it so dangerous? And could we ever make it safe? And it's an extra special episode because it's hosted by Julia Llinas Goodman! Guests: John Lentini, a certified fire investigator who has served as an expert witness in over 200 legal cases. Dr. Lynn Hulse, a psychologist with the University of Greenwich’s Fire Safety Engineering Group. Nisha Baliga, the co-executive director of urban planning nonprofit Hester Street, an...

What Could A Better Economy Look Like?

August 18, 2021 02:05 - 52 minutes - 60.6 MB

Today’s episode is about a future where the economy revolves around gifts, instead of money. Guests: Ilana Strauss, a journalist and producer at National Geographic’s podcast, “Overheard.” Dr. Niels Thygesen, an associate professor at the Copenhagen Business School. Dr. James Parisot, a researcher at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and author of How America Became Capitalist: Imperial Expansion and the Conquest of the West. Dr. Anna Grear, a professor of law at Cardi...

Could Humans Become Nocturnal?

July 20, 2021 21:19 - 42 minutes - 48.7 MB

Today’s episode is about a future where humans get weird with sleep. First, what if we tried to take shifts all day, every day? Second, what if we tried to become nocturnal? Guests: Dr. Matthew Wolf-Meyer, an associate professor of anthropology at Binghamton University and author of The Slumbering Masses: Sleep, Medicine, and Modern American Life. Sarah Kaplan, a science reporter at the Washington Post who’s worked the night shift. Dr. Bala Koritala, a researcher at Cincinnati C...

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