Future Tense

We like to think that increases in efficiency lead to greater sustainability – to lower resource use. But from cars to computers to bitcoin, it seems the reverse is true – efficiency stimulates demand. It’s an oft forgotten rule of economics called the Jevons Paradox, and it might explain why the demand for almost everything keeps going up even while we simultaneously fret about over-consumption. Also, would you accept a parcel from a stranger, take it on the bus or train with you, and then deliver it to another stranger for a small fee?  It might sound dodgy when you put it like that, but it’s part of an emerging delivery trend call “crowdshipping”. And proponents say it’s about reducing the environmental impact of transport. GuestsDr Blair Fix – Political economist, York University (Canada) Dr Adam Dorr – Director of Research, Rethink Professor Lynette Cheah – Chair of Sustainable Transport, University of the Sunshine Coast  Further informationBlair Fix article - A Tour of the Jevons Paradox: How Energy Efficiency BackfiresAdam Dorr’s article - Rethinking the Jevons Paradox: why more clean energy efficiency is good for the environment

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, a former astrophysicist and current Managing Director at Alternity, discusses the transformative power of optimism and its role in driving humanity forward. He warns against the pitfalls of 'manifesting' without action. Joining him, Inanna Hamati-Ataya, a global relations expert, argues for the benefits of globalization, stating there are no pure cultures. Meanwhile, Laura D'Olimpio, an education philosopher, challenges the notion of manifesting as mere wishful thinking, emphasizing the need for community-oriented values.

Zena Assaad, a senior lecturer in human-machine relationships, Toby Walsh, a renowned AI expert, and Collin Jennings, a critical writer on the internet's evolution, dive deeply into AI's hidden labor forces. They discuss the often-overlooked data labelers in developing countries and their harsh working conditions. The conversation also ventures into the shift towards a linkless internet, questioning how AI-driven summaries affect the credibility and verification of online information, calling for a reevaluation of ethical responsibilities in tech.

Annalee Newitz, a journalist and author known for her incisive takes on futurism, joins Jonathan White, a politics professor at the London School of Economics specializing in far-right ideologies. They discuss the echoes of the early 20th-century Futurism movement in today's tech landscape. The conversation reveals how disruption narratives appeal during societal decline and draw parallels between tech moguls and historical fascism. They also dissect the contrasting political visions competing for the public's attention amidst rising authoritarianism.

Does modern economic thinking act as a roadblock to change? Economists Kate Raworth and Rainer Kattel certainly think so. The alternatives they propose involve acknowledging limits not just obsessing about growth. And a caution from design and management expert Raz Godelink – it always pays to be skeptical when big business puts on the sustainability suit. GuestsKate Raworth – Economist and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab Raz Godelnik – Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at the School of Design Strategies, Parson's School of Design Rainer Kattel – Deputy Director and Professor of Innovation and Public Governance, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London 

It certainly feels like a very shouty world. But have we really reached a new low point in civility? And, if so, where to from here?We examine what civility really entails and how it can help foster cooperation but also lead to the submission of minorities.And did you know that even the design of our urban spaces can shape and limit acts of civility? So, how can we make our cities more sociable?GuestsDr Eduardo Sadoval — Social Roboticist, UNSWDr Saara Liinamaa — Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph. Also, co-investigator, Sociable Cities ProjectRafi Kohan — US-based freelance writer and authorDr Keith Bybee — Professor of Law and Political Science, Syracuse UniversityFurther informationRafi Kohan - Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn’t Total GarbageKeith Bybee - How Civility WorksSociable Cities Project

Morris Pearl, Chair of the Board of Patriotic Millionaires, and Maria Farrell, a writer and technology thinker, dive into thought-provoking ideas about wealth and the internet. They discuss the extreme pay gaps between CEOs and workers, arguing for higher taxes on the wealthy to combat inequality. Pearl champions Limitarianism, advocating for individual wealth caps, while Farrell calls for rewilding the internet to disrupt monopolistic control. Their conversation sparks a debate about using excess wealth for social good and creating a healthier online ecosystem.

Are we really facing an attention crisis? Historian, Daniel Immerwahr, has his doubts. In fact, he says ours is an era of obsession as much as distraction and of zeal as much as indifference. Also, the paradox of certainty: we crave it, argues the University of Alberta's, Timothy Caulfield, even though it's so easy to fake.GuestsDaniel Immerwahr — author and Professor of History, Northwestern University and a contributing writer at The New YorkerTimothy Caulfield — author and Professor of law, University of AlbertaProfessor Gloria Mark — data scientist and psychologist, Department of Informatics, University of California, IrvineFurther informationTimothy Coulfield: The Certainty Illusion. What You Don't Know and Why It MattersDaniel Immerwahr's article on Attention

Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of the International Windship Association, advocates for wind-powered cargo vessels, highlighting their environmental benefits and cost savings. Paul Munro, an Associate Professor in Human Geography, discusses the challenges of off-grid solar solutions in developing countries, including high breakdown rates and e-waste issues. Both guests delve into the promising future of flow batteries, emphasizing their safety, scalability, and potential to transform renewable energy storage while exploring the resurgence of wind energy in maritime transport.

Tim Reeve, Deputy Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, discusses the groundbreaking open storeroom initiative, promoting transparency and public trust in museums. Dan Hicks, a Professor at Oxford, emphasizes the importance of accountability and restitution in museum practices. Kylie Message-Jones from ANU highlights the challenges facing museum studies programs and smaller institutions in a digital world. Together, they explore how museums can redefine their roles in society, fostering deeper connections while adapting to modern audience needs.