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
Apr 21, 2022 • 31min
How to Lead a Sustainable Business, with Alannah Weston and Andy Cato
Alannah Weston speaks with Andy Cato, a Grammy-nominated musician turned regenerative farmer and co-founder of Wildfarmed. They discuss Cato's transformative journey from music to sustainable agriculture, highlighting the environmental costs of industrial farming. The conversation delves into the importance of biodiversity, consumer education on food origins, and the role of livestock in sustainable ecosystems. Together, they advocate for informed food choices and systemic changes to foster a sustainable future for agriculture.
Apr 20, 2022 • 44min
A Delicate Game: Confronting Brain Injury in Sport, with Hana Walker-Brown
Hana Walker-Brown, a multi-award-winning audio documentary maker, explores the troubling relationship between sports and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). She shares powerful stories from athletes like former rugby star Steve Thompson, who suffers from memory loss, and delves into the dangers of concussions versus sub-concussive hits. The conversation addresses the urgent need for safety protocols, the cultural barriers around acknowledging brain injuries, and the evolving perspectives on masculinity and health in sports.
Apr 18, 2022 • 59min
Putin and The Age of The Strongman, with Gideon Rachman
Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Columnist for the Financial Times, explores the troubling rise of strongman leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping. He discusses how they wield nationalism and enemy narratives to gain power, often manipulating truth through social media. Rachman highlights the simplistic allure of authoritarian rhetoric and examines the dangerous alliance between China and Russia. The conversation delves into historical roots and the need for vigilance against these figures that threaten democracy in today's geopolitical landscape.
Apr 17, 2022 • 1h 7min
The Sunday Debate: The European Green Deal is Not Fit For Purpose
Franziska Brantner is a Member of the European Parliament and a spokesperson for the German Green Party, while Dr. Tadzio Müller is a climate activist with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. They dive into the European Green Deal, debating its practicality and effectiveness for climate action. They discuss whether economic growth can align with sustainability and explore the contentious concepts of growth versus degrowth. The conversation also touches on carbon policies, climate justice, and the important role of youth activism in shaping the future of environmental initiatives.
Apr 15, 2022 • 60min
The Journey of Humanity, with Oded Galor
Oded Galor, a Professor of Economics at Brown University and author of "The Journey of Humanity," discusses the optimistic narratives about wealth and inequality in human history. He reveals how significant historical shifts, like the industrial revolution, drastically changed living standards, albeit unevenly. Galor delves into the roots of global inequality, the interplay between cooperation and competition in human nature, and the critical role of education in fostering economic progress, urging tailored policies to address disparities.
Apr 13, 2022 • 58min
Debunking the Great Food Myths, with Tim Spector and Dan Saladino
Join the fascinating discussion on how much of our dietary advice is misleading. Tim Spector argues that our unique genetic makeup means we react differently to food, challenging one-size-fits-all myths. Dan Saladino highlights the urgency of protecting rare foods and biodiversity. Explore the impact of ultra-processed foods on health and the journey towards embracing whole foods. Dive into the importance of grain and microbial diversity for gut health, while discovering fun ways to experiment with your diet.
Apr 11, 2022 • 59min
Walking the Walk: How to Go Beyond Sustainable Storytelling
In this engaging discussion, Kavita Prakash Mani, CEO of Mandai Nature, Jane Madden, Global Managing Partner at FIN Partners, and Bjorn Low, co-founder of Edible Garden City, explore how the travel industry can tackle climate challenges. They highlight the need for genuine sustainability beyond mere storytelling, focusing on the critical link between tourism and wildlife conservation. The trio also delves into urban farming's role in community engagement and food security, advocating for responsible tourism that empowers local economies and fosters real-world impact.
Apr 10, 2022 • 1h 4min
The Sunday Debate: Blockchain, Quantum Leap Forward or Digital Snake Oil?
Springing into action, Primavera De Filippi, a legal expert on blockchain at Harvard, teams up with Vit Jedlička, President of Liberland, to envision a decentralized governance model. Jamie Bartlett dives into the social implications of blockchain, while skeptic David Gerard questions its financial promises. They explore the environmental costs of cryptocurrency, the challenges of regulation, and the potential for blockchain to revolutionize voting systems, all while debating whether it’s a groundbreaking innovation or merely tech hype.
27 snips
Apr 8, 2022 • 1h 7min
Is Liberalism Obsolete? With Francis Fukuyama and John Gray
Francis Fukuyama, the American political scientist famous for his 'end of history' thesis, debates with British philosopher John Gray, who challenges the notion of universal liberal progress. They discuss how liberalism faces significant threats from both political extremes and explore Russia's difficulties in becoming a democracy after the Cold War. The conversation dives into the implications of the Ukraine crisis, the risks of concentrated power in governance, and evolving challenges like nationalism and identity politics.
Apr 6, 2022 • 39min
The Mercenary River, with Nick Higham
Nick Higham, a renowned journalist and author, dives deep into the fascinating world of London's water supply and its historical significance. He discusses the intense competition for water resources and the transformative role of pioneers like Joseph Bazalgette in sanitation. Higham shares insights about the Thames River's pollution issues and the costly Thames Tideway Tunnel project. He also reflects on the broader implications of privatization and the literary significance of waterways, making listeners reconsider their everyday relationship with this precious resource.
