Babbage from The Economist (subscriber edition)

Loneliness and social isolation are connected to around 100 deaths every hour, according to the World Health Organisation. Feeling lonely has been linked to cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions and problems with the immune system. Developing better social connections could improve millions of peoples’ health, but doing so is not as simple as it sounds.Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guests: The Economist’s Ainslie Johnstone; Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University. Thanks to Patrick Abrahams, Helen Kingston and Caroline Blake in Frome, England. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Fancy taking a trip to outer space? Explore the most extraordinary corners of the universe with astronomer Mark McCaughrean as your tour guide. In this episode, he tells us about everything from the curious clouds and comets in our own solar system, to distant stellar nurseries and whether or not we should be worried that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is on a collision course with a neighbour, Andromeda.Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guest: Mark McCaughrean of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the author of “111 Places in Space That You Must Not Miss”.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Victor Crabbendam, project manager of the Vera Rubin Observatory, and Leanne Guy, physicist and associate director, delve into the groundbreaking capabilities of the observatory. They discuss the massive scale of the decade-long sky survey that aims to uncover mysteries of the universe. Highlights include the innovative 3.2 gigapixel camera and its ability to monitor transient events like supernovae and asteroids. The observatory promises to transform astronomy, shifting from data scarcity to a wealth of information, paving the way for unexpected discoveries.

Join Alex Hern, a tech journalist, as he explores the cyberpunk allure of 'Ghost in the Shell', questioning AI consciousness. Natasha Loder, a health editor, reflects on 'Blade Runner' and its profound ethical dilemmas surrounding replicants. Ainslie Johnstone, a data correspondent, shares insights on 'The Martian', celebrating scientific problem-solving. Tom Standage, a deputy editor, defends the eccentric brilliance of the 1984 'Dune', while Jan Piotrowski discusses 'Tenet's' intriguing philosophical take on time. A perfect blend of analysis and nostalgia!

Join Slavea Chankova, Healthcare correspondent, as she reveals the dark truths about sugar's impact on health and offers festive food strategies. Benjamin Sutherland, Science correspondent, dives into the science of hangovers, explaining why they worsen with age and providing tips for mitigating drinking-related damage. Tim Cross, Senior science writer, discusses the societal benefits of moderate drinking and shares tactics for a successful holiday party experience. It's a blend of science, health, and holiday cheer!

Vlatko Vedral, a Professor of quantum information science at the University of Oxford and author of "Portals to a New Reality," shares his insights on the perplexing boundary between quantum and classical physics. He critiques the Copenhagen Interpretation's arbitrary limits and emphasizes the need for a unified understanding. Vlatko explores how advances in quantum technology can probe the quantum-classical transition and even considers extending quantum mechanics to biological systems. He presents revolutionary ideas on measurement, proposing that it's a process of entanglement rather than collapse.

Join theoretical physicist Paul Davies, renowned for his work in quantum gravity, as he delves into the fascinating world of quantum physics. He discusses its revolutionary impact on technology, from lasers to smartphones. Learn how quantum indeterminacy contrasts with classical determinism and the implications of Schrödinger's wave equation. Davies also explores the potential of a quantum internet and the synergies between quantum computing and AI, while pondering if a post-quantum theory might be on the horizon.

Blaise Agüera y Arcas, Google’s CTO for Technology & Society and author of 'What is Intelligence?', tackles the complex interplay between AI and true intelligence. He proposes that intelligence, akin to life, is rooted in computation. Agüera y Arcas discusses AI's rapid advancements, arguing it could be more revolutionary than the internet. He also explores the concept of AI as a creative partner, the philosophical definition of life, and the future of human-AI symbiosis, highlighting cooperation over competition in evolving technology.

Geothermal energy has long been neglected—it currently provides less than 1% of the world’s electricity. That’s because very few places on Earth have the right conditions to enable geothermal plants to work. But that’s changing, thanks to a new suite of technologies. Could geothermal soon rival nuclear power?Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guests: The Economist’s Vijay Vaitheeswaran; Jack Norbeck of Fervo Energy; James Benetatos of Quaise Energy; and Cindy Taff of Sage Geosystems. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

For decades, futurists have promised that robots will transform society, yet that still feels like a distant prospect. In this episode, recorded live at the “Web Summit” technology conference in Lisbon, our guests explain why a robotic revolution is closer than you think—and what they’re doing to make it a reality.Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guests: Robert Playter, the boss of Boston Dynamics; and Tye Brady, the chief technologist at Amazon Robotics. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.