Gary Bengier, a Silicon Valley tech expert and science fiction author, explores the future in his novel, 'Journey to 2125'. He discusses the looming challenges of automation and labor displacement, alongside the societal implications of biotechnology. Bengier emphasizes the critical role of nuclear fission in addressing the global energy crisis. With his unique blend of philosophy and technology, he weaves a narrative that raises critical questions about humanity's trajectory while offering an optimistic lens on tackling pressing issues.

Vince Beiser, an award-winning journalist and author of Power Metal, joins the conversation to dissect our growing reliance on critical metals for technology and renewable energy. He unveils the environmental and social fallout from mining practices, particularly cobalt and lithium. The discussion highlights the 'right to repair' movement and ways to minimize e-waste. Beiser also advocates for urban planning that promotes car-free living as a sustainable alternative, presenting hopeful innovations for a greener future.

Ravi Bapna, co-author of 'Thrive: Maximizing Well-Being in the Age of AI' and chair of business analytics at the University of Minnesota, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about AI's societal impact. He highlights the need to balance AI's benefits and risks, delves into the importance of ethical data engineering, and explores job displacement versus retraining opportunities. Bapna also addresses how AI can enhance human connections in healthcare and other sectors, emphasizing the need for privacy and fair compensation in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of Inquiring Minds, Indre Viscontis sits down with Peter Godfrey-Smith, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney and author of Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World.Peter takes us on an enthralling journey through the evolution of culture and its impact on consciousness and society. Together they explore the crucial role culture plays in human development, especially how children absorb behaviors from their communities, the intriguing culture-like behaviors of non-human animals such as bowerbirds creating elaborate displays, and how various species, especially human behavior, shape their environments.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about how living beings influence the Earth's evolutionary history and how our evolutionary standing as humans should not dictate specific choices for the future.Links:Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringmindsSee https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy informationPeter Godfrey-Smith Website: https://petergodfreysmith.com/Peter Godfrey-Smith Book Living on Earth 

In this engaging discussion, Nicola Twilley, a science journalist and co-host of the award-winning Gastropod podcast, reveals the hidden truths about refrigeration's role in our food system. She highlights shocking facts, like how many apples can be nearly a year old by the time they hit the store. Twilley discusses the challenging working conditions in cold storage, explores the environmental impact of refrigeration, and advocates for sustainable alternatives. Prepare to rethink food freshness and its implications for your diet and the planet!

Noah Whiteman, an evolutionary biologist and UC Berkeley professor, dives into the fascinating world of nature's toxins. He discusses the monarch butterfly's adaptation to milkweed toxins, revealing the intricate relationship between plants and animals. Whiteman explores the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds and emphasizes the role of biodiversity. Additionally, he examines how plants defend themselves and the health implications of various toxins, including those in spices and chocolate, drawing connections between evolution, flavor, and human well-being.

In this intriguing episode, Indre chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and renowned author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Better, Faster, Charles Duhigg, to discuss his latest book “Supercommunicators”. Their conversation delves into he crucial role of effective communication in building meaningful relationships and enhancing quality of life. Duhigg shares insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, emphasizing the importance of close relationships for happiness and health as well as categorizes conversations into practical, emotional, and social types, explaining how understanding these can improve communication skills. Exploring further into the contents of Duhigg’s new book, they talk about the neuroscience behind communication and strategies for navigating difficult conversations. This episode is packed with practical advised and prize-winning insights and ideas for anyone who wants to learn how to improve their communication skills, build deeper relationships, and have more meaningful interactions with the people around them. Links: Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information

Sean Carroll, a physicist and host of Mindscape, discusses quantum mechanics and field theory in an accessible way. They explore the roles of quanta and fields in modern physics, making complex topics relatable. The discussion sheds light on how these theories impact our understanding of the universe's mysteries.

Neuroscientist Christof Koch discusses expanding consciousness, brain-brain interfaces, shared consciousness, unified empathy, free will, and collaboration in science with Indre. They explore merging minds, empathizing with diverse beings, decision-making, and the impact of profound experiences on personal transformations.

Global politics luminary Brian Klaas discusses the omnipresence of chance in personal lives, scientific research, and politics. He challenges the illusion of control fostered by historical data, prompting a reevaluation of randomness in AI, scientific methodologies, and political science.