Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Don't Panic! Douglas Adams' Guide to Tomorrow - with Arvind Ethan David

51 snips
Sep 26, 2025
Join Arvind Ethan David, the creative force behind the audiobook Douglas Adams: The Ends of the Earth, as he explores the life and legacy of the iconic writer. He reveals how Adams used wit to address pressing issues like AI and social media. Arvind shares his personal journey from a young fan to a mentee, delving into Adams' innovative take on technology and conservation efforts. Discover how Adams' insights about extinction and empathy shape our understanding of humanity today, reminding us that practical action, not panic, is essential.
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INSIGHT

The Puddle Parable Exposes Human Hubris

  • Douglas Adams' puddle parable exposes human arrogance in assuming the world was made for us.
  • That self-centered view blinds us to thermodynamic and environmental realities we cannot control.
ANECDOTE

School Play Won Douglas Adams' Approval

  • Arvind adapted Dirk Gently for a school play and Douglas Adams unexpectedly attended.
  • Adams initially made notes then laughed and later praised the changes as fixing the story.
INSIGHT

Comedy As Cautionary Forecasting

  • Adams used humour and absurdity to warn about real-world risks like bureaucracy and technology.
  • His fiction often functioned as a cautionary laboratory for modern crises.
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