The Prospect Podcast

This discussion features Ed Miliband, the UK's climate minister and former Labour Party leader, alongside Bill McKibben, a prominent American environmentalist and author. They explore the promising shift towards electrification, emphasizing its potential for energy security and economic benefits. The conversation highlights successful examples like Australia’s free electricity initiatives and the need for clear communication on clean technologies. They also tackle geopolitics, the role of China in green tech, and the importance of addressing the public's climate concerns amidst rising populism.

Anglican priest Alice Goodman explains how clerics manage their Christmas “turnaround time’, while Gen Z-er Alice Garnett takes us behind the scenes on a comedy panel show. Vitali Vitaliev is reminded of his first life in Soviet Russia by a museum of banned books in Tallinn, while Sarah Collins cautions against the use of AI therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Rusbridger, veteran journalist and former editor of Prospect magazine, shares insights from his remarkable career. He emphasizes the importance of nuanced journalism in a polarizing world. The conversation pivots to how artificial intelligence can enhance journalistic practices, sparking optimism for the future. Other guests, including Slavoj Zizek and Mehdi Hasan, dissect the role of pessimism as a catalyst for action, while Robert Macfarlane and Yassmin Abdel-Magied highlight ecological revival and humanitarian resilience as sources of hope.

Join critics Kate Maltby, Laura Barton, and Lucy Scholes for a lively discussion on the year’s cultural highlights. Kate unpacks a captivating theatre moment that left audiences fainting, while Laura delves into the political undertones of Sydney Sweeney’s controversial ad, drawing parallels to Taylor Swift's evolving image. Lucy celebrates author Helen Garner's growing recognition, emphasizing her compelling prose. From K-pop demon hunters to the challenges of cultural exports, this conversation is packed with fresh insights and recommendations.

Seven MPs were suspended for rebelling on the two-child benefit limit last year. Now that the government has announced it will lift the policy, what will change? And why was this such a major focus for anti-poverty campaigners?Ellen and Alona are joined by two experts on the subject: journalist and campaigner Terri White and Ruth Patrick, professor in social and public policy at the University of Glasgow. They bust the myths and misconceptions around the policy, and analyse the negative response from the British media on its lifting. How much will it really cost the country?Terri and Ruth explore the policy’s real-life effects on families across the UK and how public discourse has been polluted with misogyny and Islamophobia. They also discuss the ways that communities can come together to implement local solutions—and examine the limit’s most controversial clause.Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh up a Christmassy banger or dud.To read Ruth’s writing on the two-child limit, click here.And to read Terri's piece from the archive ‘Where is your outrage over the two child limit?’, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, Anglican priest Alice Goodman explains why she has mixed feelings about pilgrimages, while Gen Z-er Alice Garnett despairs at the development of AI friends. Sarah Collins contracts a case of burnout, while Kiran Sidhu enters into correspondence with a stranger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cory Doctorow, a journalist and tech activist known for his work with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and his book 'Enshittification', discusses why digital platforms deteriorate over time. He highlights how financial incentives lead to user exploitation and the impact of AI on this decline. Cory connects policy choices to the current state of tech, advocating for stricter regulations and community preservation. He also shares insights on the importance of civic engagement and the potential for a more equitable digital future.

Palantir has acquired key UK government contracts, promising to make government more effective. But Peter Thiel’s controversial company has also worked with the US government and ICE on deportations and with Israel’s military during its war on Gaza. This week, investigative journalist Mark Wilding joins Ellen to explain how the tech giant has become embedded in the British state—and what it might mean for us in future.In the latest issue of Prospect, Mark traces how Palantir seized a moment of opportunity in the Covid-19 pandemic to get its “foot in the door” and multimillion-pound government contracts, culminating in its takeover of the Federated Data Platform—the new data backbone of the NHS. But what happens when a private tech corporation becomes essential national infrastructure?Mark also explains why even Palantir didn’t want to be associated with Labour’s plans for digital ID. Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss “Christmas creep”: banger or dud?To read Mark’s investigation ‘How Palantir infiltrated the state’, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/democracy/government/71511/how-palantir-infiltrated-the-state Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world of unpredictable strongman leaders, do nuclear weapons keep us safe or make us more vulnerable? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Serhii Plokhy, historian and author of The Nuclear Age, to discuss the threat of nuclear conflict.From Putin’s war in Ukraine to China’s expanding arsenal and new nuclear “threshold” states, Serhii discusses whether governments still hold to the idea of mutually assured destruction. He explains the role of fear in the origins of the nuclear bomb—and the importance of anti-nuclear civic action.Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss “scream clubs”: banger or dud?‘The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power, and Survival’ is available now. To read Prospect’s review, click here.You can listen to Serhii’s previous appearance on the Prospect Podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yanis Varoufakis, renowned economist and former Greek finance minister, discusses his latest book, highlighting themes of resistance and hope. He delves into the feminist history behind his writing, influenced by the stories of the women in his life. Varoufakis tackles pressing issues, such as the allure of the far right for young men, Ukraine's complexities amid current conflicts, and the dangers of increasing authoritarianism. He also shares insights on Zohran Mamdani's political ambitions and how to cultivate hope in today's turbulent political landscape.