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Future Tense

A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

society & culture tech news

All Episodes

0:29:08

Saying goodbye to ageism — the last “acceptable”...

Future Tense ·

2024/09/19

Could the realities of an aging population and a declining birth rate soon make our obsession with youth a thing of the past? It's not just an equity issue it also has implications for politics and economics, because the citizens and consumers of the future will inevitably be older. So, how do we reframe our perceptions of aging to make the most of a very different future workplace?GuestsAssistant Professor Sven Brodmerkel – Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications, Bond

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29:08

AI snake oil — its limits, risks, and its thirst for...

Future Tense ·

2024/09/12

Chat GPT pioneer, Sam Altman, reckons democratic countries will need to re-write their social contracts once AI reaches its full potential, such is its power to shape the future. But to quote a famous political aphorism: "he would say that, wouldn't he?" Princeton computer scientist, Arvind Narayanan, joins us to talk about the hype, the reality and the true limits of Artificial Intelligence. His new book is called "AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What it Can't,

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29:08

The "disruption nexus" and the power of a good crisis

Future Tense ·

2024/09/05

EEvery crisis, they say, presents an opportunity. But history tells us differently. Social philosopher, Roman Krznaric, spells out the vital elements needed to initiate rapid change – and why a better understanding of the way we respond to crises could help in the fight against climate change.GuestsDr Roman Krznaric – Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Oxford UniversityDr Stefan Peters – Senior Lecturer in Geospatial Science, University of South

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29:08

Rediscovering the essence of Liberalism could help in...

Future Tense ·

2024/08/29

Do we underestimate the value of Liberalism? Political philosopher, Alexandre Lefebvre, says liberalism underpins the modern Western world, even if we sometimes struggle to define it. And even when its brand is coopted by party-politics. Rediscovering its pure form, he argues, could be the key to a more tolerant and prosperous future. Also, is the European Union losing its taste for regulation, particularly where big tech is involved? GuestsDr Alexandre Lefebvre – Professor of

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29:08

Why in the 21st century are we still talking about...

Future Tense ·

2024/08/22

In a world where Donald Trump embraces anti free-trade protectionism and "leftish" governments are going heavy on law and order, do the old political labels of Left and Right really make sense? Is it time for a new way of thinking and talking about political difference? And how do ordinary voters actually choose their political positions? Are their decisions based on ideology or simple tribalism?GuestsDr Gregory Millard – Associate Professor, Department of Political Science,

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29:08

"Anthropocene" — why the fight about a name has real...

Future Tense ·

2024/08/15

The Anthropocene – the idea that we now live in a geological age shaped by human activity — is a controversial topic. It irritates those who reject the whole notion of adverse climate change — and it's also now causing a fight among geologists themselves. So, what's behind the scientific contention?Also, why some argue that textiles are the new "hidden" plastic plague.GuestsDr Erle Ellis – Professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of MarylandDr Francine McCarthy

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29:08

We're losing the dark sky and you can already feel...

Future Tense ·

2024/08/08

The night sky is getting brighter by about ten per cent each year — that's the scientific estimate. While new forms of lighting technology can reduce the amount of light pollution, the sheer impact of a global boom in artificial lighting is just too much. It threatens the health of both humans and other animals. Historically, darkness has been seen in a negative social and cultural context, so can we change our attitudes and learn to embrace the dark sky? In other words, see the

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29:08

Can we afford to continue to keep pets —...

Future Tense ·

2024/08/01

If we're genuinely concerned about the impact livestock can have on our environment, why aren't we equally worried about pets? The pet industry is booming and despite the many positive psychological and emotional benefits of pet ownership, concerns about global pet numbers and environmental sustainability are mounting. So, do we need to rethink how we live with domesticated animals? And how can we strike a balance between our seemingly insatiable desire for fur-babies and their

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29:08

Technology is revolutionising sport performance

Future Tense ·

2024/07/25

The rate of technological advancement in sport is unprecedented. From data analytics to robotic umpiring to smart equipment, technologies are reshaping what it means to achieve and compete. Even the International Olympic Committee has now developed an AI strategy. It's also big business with the sport industry conservatively estimated at around one per cent of global GDP.So, when does ingenious innovation become cheating? And if technology pushes us past the point of physical

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29:08

Are the big US media platforms swallowing our culture?

Future Tense ·

2024/07/18

Global media players now dominate the entertainment business and hold the whip-hand when it comes to accessing local news content. In this program we get an update on Meta's ban on Canadian news content, specifically how it's impacted production of serious news and what's been the public reaction. We also get a reality check on just how interested the giant US steaming services are in Australian content.GuestsAengus Bridgman – Director, Media Ecosystem Observatory (Canada)Matthew

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29:08

A new push in the search for alien life

Future Tense ·

2024/07/11

NASA's new telescope will revolutionise the search for non-Earth based life. It's to be called the Habitable Worlds Observatory and will be powerful enough to peer into the atmosphere of planets outside of our solar system.But if, or when, we do find evidence of a life form beyond our solar system what do we do next? And who should decide whether or even how we make contact? A new research hub at the University of Andrews is among those drawing up a plan.GuestsDr Megan Ansdell –

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29:08

Technology and language — a dynamic relationship

Future Tense ·

2024/07/04

While technology platforms increasingly dictate the way we write and converse, language is being modified to fight back, to subvert the platforms. In this show we examine the growth of "algospeak".And if you want to know how we'll all be communicating in the future, just listen to the way teenage girls speak, because young women lead the ongoing development of language.GuestsDr James Cohen – Assistant Professor, Media Studies, Queens College, City University of New YorkDr Sali

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29:08

Rethinking productivity and the pushback to...

Future Tense ·

2024/06/27

It's time to rethink what we mean by productivity, says work futurist, Dominic Price. What's important isn't output, but outcomes. And confusing the two, he says, is simply counter-productive! Also, benefit corporations — why many businesses are moving away from an obsession with profit at all cost; And why a compulsory savings model could help control inflation without raising interest rates.Original broadcast on August 20, 2023GuestsEd Chambliss – founder and CEO, Best Friend

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29:08

Limitarianism — could a cap on wealth reduce inequality?

Future Tense ·

2024/06/20

When a company CEO can be paid 1,000 times the average employee's salary it's probably time to take a long hard look at wealth inequality. And those calling for the rich to pay more aren't always the ones you'd expect – Patriotic Millionaires is a group of mega rich individuals demanding greater, not lesser taxation. Then there's the Dutch philosopher urging ordinary citizens to put a cap on their own personal wealth. She calls her approach Limitarianism. Also, Rewilding the

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29:08

Sucking CO2 from the air — a "Mammoth task"

Future Tense ·

2024/06/13

They've just unveiled the world's largest air purifier in Iceland. Christened "Mammoth" the machine can filter up to 36,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year. It's the biggest carbon capture device ever built – but is it mammoth enough? And do the economics stack up?Other scientists are using microbes to speed the process of mineralisation, the turning of CO2 into rock.And all the while the search for alternative energy sources continues with an Icelandic company even

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29:15

The truth about AI – garbage in, garbage out

Future Tense ·

2024/06/06

Exploring new ideas, new AI isn't magic, but many of us are accustomed to thinking and talking about it as if it was. It can't solve every problem and its application can sometimes make matters worse. To make the most of Artificial Intelligence we should follow the dictum often used by data scientists – garbage in, garbage out. In other words, AI is only as good as the person who deploys it. In this episode we explore several cautionary examples.GuestsDr Guillaume Desjardins –

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29:08

The best response to disasters: centralised strength...

Future Tense ·

2024/05/30

Australia's disaster response procedures are under review. The new reality requires us to deal with multiple natural disasters simultaneously — to tackle polycrises. While some suggest a more centralised approach, others are calling for something very different — a greater focus on strengthening local community resilience and prioritising mitigation over clean-up. The climate clock is ticking, so which direction promises the greatest return?GuestsDr Paul Barnes – Senior Research

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29:08

The greatest demographic shift in a century is being...

Future Tense ·

2024/05/23

Across the globe single household occupancy is skyrocketing. In some Western cities "singletons" make up almost fifty per cent. But it's a trend that's largely slipped under the radar. Policy makers are yet to catch up with the new social reality. The growing cohort has significant economic potential, but they continue to face stereotyping and discrimination.

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29:08

It's time to take the Influencer economy seriously

Future Tense ·

2024/05/16

Globally, around 300 million people consider themselves "influencers" or professional content creators. In the United States alone the number is approximately 13 million – that's roughly the same size of the US manufacturing sector. It's a precarious profession and the reasons for choosing to become an influencer are many and varied. So, what does their rise tell us about the modern workforce? Also, building islands to create offshore energy hubs; and a warning about the dangers of

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29:08

When good intentions fuel further environmental problems

Future Tense ·

2024/05/09

Many of us take actions to improve the environment and make for a better planet. But in a consumerist world where status is all, it can be hard to avoid making choices that negate your original intentions and send you back to square one. It happens in everyday life when picking a car or building a new house. And it happens on a large scale. For example where mass tree-planting occurs in habitats that were never meant to be forested. Shouldn't we know better?

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