Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
37 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 34min
LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman on What Could Go Right with Our AI Future (Part One)
Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and an AI trailblazer, shares insights from his latest book, Super Agency. He argues for the immense potential of AI to revolutionize education with personalized tutors and discover life-saving cures. Hoffman emphasizes a proactive 'bloomer' mindset, focusing on AI's positive contributions despite prevalent fears. He advocates for responsible AI use and the necessity of regulating technology to enhance innovation while maintaining accountability. His optimistic outlook highlights how AI can empower individuals and improve societal outcomes.
Mar 24, 2025 • 42min
The Rise of Spotify, with Liz Pelly
Join music journalist Liz Pelly, known for her incisive work in outlets like The Guardian and NPR, as she explores the rise of Spotify and its profound effects on the music industry. Discover how Spotify's freemium model and personalized playlists influence listener habits and artist experiences. Pelly reveals the hidden costs of streaming, including the challenges faced by independent musicians and the ethics of algorithm-driven recommendations. This engaging conversation delves into a new music landscape shaped by technology and offers a reevaluation of distribution models.
Mar 23, 2025 • 41min
Kavita Puri and Sathnam Sanghera on War, Empire and the Untold Story of the Bengal Famine (Part Two)
Kavita Puri, an award-winning journalist noted for her work on Indian history, joins author Sathnam Sanghera to delve into the tragic narrative of the Bengal Famine. They discuss its obscurity in British and Indian history despite the millions who suffered. Puri highlights collective amnesia around this event and its ties to colonial legacies, prompting reflections on ancestral connections. The conversation emphasizes the crucial need to preserve survivors' stories and the famine's impact on nationalism and memory, linking past traumas to contemporary issues.
Mar 21, 2025 • 37min
Kavita Puri and Sathnam Sanghera on War, Empire and the Untold Story of the Bengal Famine (Part One)
Kavita Puri, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster focused on Indian history, teams up with Sathnam Sanghera, acclaimed author of "Empireland," to delve into the heartbreaking story of the Bengal Famine. They unpack this overlooked tragedy of World War II, which led to the deaths of millions and remains largely absent from British historical narratives. Puri highlights her extensive archival research uncovering personal stories and the colonial legacy behind the famine, while Sanghera provides critical insights on the complex socio-political issues that still resonate today.
Mar 19, 2025 • 31min
Earthling Ed: How to Argue with a Meat Eater (Part Two)
Earthling Ed, an activist and author of 'How to Argue with a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time),' shares how to engage effectively with meat eaters. He discusses the importance of empathy and logical reasoning in conversations about veganism. Ed tackles common myths, ethical concerns in animal agriculture, and the evolving dialogue on vegan issues. He emphasizes the urgent need for change while maintaining hope for a sustainable future. Listeners will gain valuable insights into fostering compassionate and productive discussions.
Mar 17, 2025 • 30min
Earthling Ed: How to Argue with a Meat Eater (Part One)
Earthling Ed, a vegan activist and educator with a massive online following, shares insights on persuasive communication regarding veganism. He discusses effective ways to engage in ethical conversations with those who oppose vegan principles. Ed tackles common misconceptions, offers strategies to debunk myths about veganism, and encourages critical thinking. He reflects on his decade-long journey in veganism and promotes a compassionate rethinking of humanity's relationship with animals, advocating for a more sustainable future.
14 snips
Mar 16, 2025 • 34min
The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Putin, with Catherine Belton (Part Two)
Catherine Belton, an acclaimed journalist and author of "Putin's People," shares insights on Vladimir Putin's strategic rise to power, fueled by a network of KGB affiliates and oligarchs. Alongside Arkady Ostrovsky, a Russian politics expert, they analyze the complex dynamics between Putin and Trump, revealing a shared disdain for liberal values. They also discuss the implications of European military roles in Ukraine and the moral justifications used to support Russia's actions, highlighting the intricate geopolitical landscape that affects us all.
14 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 35min
The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Putin, with Catherine Belton (Part One)
Catherine Belton, a Washington Post reporter and author of "Putin’s People," and Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor for The Economist, dive into Vladimir Putin's rise to power. They discuss how a network of KGB officers and oligarchs orchestrated his ascent. Belton reveals Putin's tactics of fear and corruption, while Ostrovsky analyzes his current ambitions, especially regarding Ukraine. They also explore the implications of Putin’s actions on global democracy and Western relations, highlighting the troubling trend of ‘strongman leadership’.
Mar 12, 2025 • 26min
George the Poet on Music, Memory, and the War on Blackness Art & Culture (Part Two)
George Mpanga, known as George the Poet, is a powerful voice in poetry and social commentary, acclaimed for his exploration of race and inequality in the UK. In this engaging discussion, he reflects on the impact of cultural environments on identity, sharing his journey from Uganda to Cambridge. He candidly addresses the challenges of artistic expression in a commercialized music industry, the legacy of Tupac, and the implications of neoliberalism on creativity. George also dives into the intricacies of balancing activism with commercial success in the arts.
7 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 26min
George the Poet on Music, Memory, and the War on Blackness (Part One)
George Mpanga, known as George the Poet, is a powerful voice in poetry and social commentary, addressing race and inequality in Britain. He discusses his memoir, touching on personal stories that reveal systemic oppression in today's society. The conversation highlights the transformative changes in London communities and the complexities of Black experiences. They delve into how individual success often overlooks systemic barriers and examine hip-hop's evolution, linking personal narratives to broader racial and societal issues.
