a16z Podcast

Geo-engineering and the Power of Narrative

Feb 19, 2022

Ross Anderson, Senior Editor at The Atlantic, dives into the captivating world of geoengineering and the potential resurrection of woolly mammoths. He discusses the ecological implications of these ancient giants and the complex ethical landscape surrounding genetic engineering. The conversation also explores humanity's profound relationship with grass and how it has shaped civilization. Through humorous anecdotes and storytelling, Anderson highlights the importance of narrative in driving scientific innovation and garnering support for ambitious environmental projects.

31:31

Creator website

Episode guests

Ross Anderson

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Episode notes

Intro

5min

Reviving Woolly Mammoths: Science and Ethics

16min

The Intriguing Interplay Between Grass and Human Civilization

2min

Navigating Science, Society, and Time in Environmental Projects

5min

Navigating Humor and Tension in Storytelling

3min

original episode notes and transcript here:

https://future.a16z.com/podcasts/pleistocenepark-geoengineering-iceagebiome/

Longtime podcast showrunner (2014-2022), primary host, and editor Sonal Chokshi shares three best-of episodes as she shifts gears and the show goes on hiatus until relaunched with a new host.

The first of these three special rerun episodes is a conversation that originally took place in summer 2017, but both the work discussed in here – on making a really wild (quite literally wild;) geo-engineering idea at massive scale real – is still actively, relevant, and frequently discussed today (it’s on bringing back lab-grown woolly mammoths, which was also discussed in the 2020 documentary with Stewart Brand, We Are As Gods).

But it's also all about how we humans can and do use the power of narrative to drive great feats of change, including engineering. This has been a signature theme in forming the identity of the a16z Podcast, and the conversation that follows is one that takes place among three tech & science editors, including one of our former colleagues (who also was a host on this podcast for 4 years).

links:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/04/pleistocene-park/517779/
https://www.weareasgods.film/

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