Who will you be in 10 years? In 20 years? Envisioning how you will evolve is very hard. This hour, TED speakers share ideas on how to better plan for the future, while allowing for the unexpected. Guests include psychologist Hal Hershfield, journalist Shankar Vedantam, journalist Bina Venkataraman and philosopher Roman Krznaric.TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/tedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Psychologist, journalist, and philosopher discuss how to better plan for the future while allowing for the unexpected. Topics include perceiving the future self, planning for the future when hope seems dim, finding harmony between the present and the future, planning for an unpredictable future, consequences of failure in future planning, becoming good ancestors, and a philosopher's prescription for long-term thinking.

In a captivating discussion, social philosopher Roman Krznaric sheds light on the wisdom of past civilizations in facing modern crises. He explores 'temporal intelligence' to harness collective action and grassroots movements for a sustainable future. Krznaric highlights successful historical examples, such as Valencia's grassroots water court, to inspire new democratic models. He calls for ritualistic connections to ecology, innovative energy transitions, and rethinking corporate structures, emphasizing the power of community-driven solutions for planetary well-being.

Roman Krznaric, a social philosopher and Research Fellow at the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, discusses how our understanding of time impacts our actions today and for future generations. He emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and ancestral responsibility. Krznaric explores concepts like 'temporal intelligence' and critiques short-termism, urging listeners to consider their legacy. He also highlights the power of community and solidarity as essential tools for fostering a more connected and hopeful society.

Roman Krznaric, a prominent social philosopher at Oxford, teams up with Adam McCauley, a researcher focused on technology's societal impacts. They delve into how historical lessons can provide insights into tackling today's major challenges, like climate change and social intolerance. The conversation highlights the 'disruption nexus' of crises and activism, drawing parallels with 18th-century coffee houses as spaces for democratic discourse, and emphasizes the importance of collective action in fostering societal change while combating rising authoritarianism.