Futur-ish

It used to be that the plastic blocks most teens might be interested in were multicoloured and used for stacking on top of each other. Now they’re transparent and vaguely-phone shaped, designed as addiction aids and symbols of protest. Add in to this the growing popularity of Luddite movements across university campuses and charities, signals of democratic legislation banning phones and a proliferation of AI-powered gizmos that seem to distance themselves from the economy and interactions of social media and Radha has an idea that she’s on to something new. Maybe this does mark a new phase in our digital economies but, truly, nothing is new, and everything has happened before..LInksPRX, The Teens Are Offline: https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/478234Exploring the Social Life of Urban Spaces through AI: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2424662122The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QkJkT3M-UsAskCatGPT, Social Experiments with Methaphones: https://www.tiktok.com/@askcatgpt/video/7504849538209860906Rabbit R1: https://www.rabbit.tech/rabbit-r1?srsltid=AfmBOopyARX2j2eXeBcZttRbOb7TyeQr00XRh8hzPQKfMuguf8TRyUfkHumane Inc.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humane_Inc.Terra Compass: https://modemworks.com/projects/terra/The Luddite Club: https://www.theludditeclub.org/about Lamp Club, a Luddite Group, Has Come to Free the ‘IPad Babies’, New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/style/lamp-club-luddites.html The Gnomes are Taking Over New York City, The Blue and White: https://www.theblueandwhite.org/post/the-gnomes-are-taking-over-new-york-cityAI is Reshaping Childhood in China, Rest of World: https://restofworld.org/2025/ai-china-childhood/Fighting the smartphone ‘invasion’: the French village that voted to ban scrolling in public, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/10/fighting-the-smartphone-invasion-the-french-village-that-voted-to-ban-scrolling-in-publicAustralia approves social media ban on under-16s, BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89vjj0lxx9oSilicon Valley parents are raising their kids tech-free — and it should be a red flag, The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/tech-free-silicon-valley-parents-raising-children-red-flag-a8256166.html TikTok’s enshitification, Pluralistic: https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys ‘It’s Hurting Like Hell’: AI Companion Users Are In Crisis, Reporting Sudden Sexual Rejection, VICE: https://www.vice.com/en/article/ai-companion-replika-erotic-roleplay-updates

The podcast explores how a tiny town in Middle England faces the threat of flooding and climate change. Historical insights reveal Tenbury Wells' rich past, from Roman origins to its spa era, now overshadowed by modern challenges. A discussion on rising flood defense costs highlights the town's uncertain future and potential abandonment. Comparisons to other towns lost to nature prompt reflections on cultural and ecological values in preservation decisions. Ultimately, it questions how national identity shapes our response to climate threats.

Virtual spaces are becoming the new political battlegrounds, with fandoms like the BTS ARMY wielding real-world influence. Keyboard squatting disrupts extremist messaging on social media, while video games like Animal Crossing and Fortnite host protests and political campaigns. In Nepal, Discord was the platform for youth organizing and electing a representative, showcasing how gaming roots foster political action. The discussion delves into the potential of online communities to act as new political entities and their implications for governance and citizenship.

Explore the intriguing connections between a costly F-35 jet program and a powerful rumor that triggered global political tensions. Delve into the reasons behind countries reconsidering their aircraft orders amidst doubts over reliability. Uncover how export controls impact AI chip distribution and the fascinating world of smuggling banned technology. Discover the concept of hyperstition and how imagined futures shape real policy decisions, revealing that history often repeats itself in unexpected ways.

Explore the allure of owning land and the concept of 'freedom cities' promoting deregulation. Delve into Prospera's controversial startup city and its clash with Honduras. Discover California Forever's stealth land grabs and their implications. Discuss the allure of micronations like Coffee Cay and their quest for autonomy. Unpack the parallels between historical company towns and today's tech-driven initiatives. Finally, consider whether current conditions will help these new sovereign ventures succeed.

In this engaging discussion, Nick Foster, a futures designer and former head of design at Google X, digs into the often-overlooked world of mundane technologies, like socks. He critiques the hype surrounding flashy futurism and emphasizes the economic significance of everyday products. Nick reveals surprising insights from his research, underscores the importance of practicality in design, and challenges the industry to focus on real-life implications rather than merely grand visions. Expect thoughtful insights that might just change how you see the future!

Explore the looming threat of space debris and the concept of Kessler syndrome, where cascading satellite collisions could spell disaster. Discover how recent mega-constellations are escalating the risks. Delve into the economic and technological chaos that could follow if our satellite infrastructure collapses. Debate the sufficiency of the Outer Space Treaty in the face of modern commercial activities, and ponder whether society should embrace continuous transformation in a rapidly changing world.

Explore the world of biohybrid robots powered by mycelium! Discover how these innovative creations could transform agriculture and food production. The conversation dives into the unique blend of technology and nature, critiquing traditional silicon-based approaches. Enjoy humorous anecdotes as the speaker reflects on academic experiences alongside insights into the intersection of tech funding and cultural narratives. The potential of fungi to energize robots opens up fascinating possibilities for the future!

Imagine a super yacht setting sail permanently in 2028, catering to the world's elite while the outside world falls apart. As affluent residents seek refuge from global uncertainties, the stark division between luxury and reality is revealed. The rise of floating residences presents both adventure and ecological potential, but highlights deep socio-economic disparities. With cruise ships becoming the new retirement homes, the podcast delves into community dynamics and the human desire for connection, all amidst maritime exclusivity.

Introducing Futur-ish