The Prospect Podcast

The Astronomer Royal joins Prospect to ask: How much can humans hope to understand? Our minds are finite but the universe is impossibly vast and always expanding. Are there some physical facts that humanity will necessarily never comprehend? 

This is the terrain Martin Rees covers in Prospect’s new podcast.

Plus: Alex Dean on politics and Sameer Rahim on culture. Hosted by Tom Clark, produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China is heading for super-power status—but will it get there? George Magnus, one of Britain's leading China experts, sets out the deep social, economic and political challenges that Beijing now faces. If it overcomes them, the prize could be huge. How likely is that? And what if it fails? With Tom Clark, Sameer Rahim, Alex Dean and Timothy Garton Ash.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chess used to be the ultimate expression of brilliance and ingenuity—but nowadays, a Grandmaster would lose to the chess app on your smartphone. The philosopher David Edmonds discusses the triumph of computer power over humans, what it means for chess and for the world at large. Interview by Sameer Rahim. Presented by Tom Clark, with Steve Bloomfield and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it that when British politicians look in the mirror they see Winston Churchill—just as French politicians, such as Macron, see Charles de Gaulle? The Cambridge historian and former keeper of the Churchill archive Piers Brendon talks to Prospect's executive editor Jay Elwes about the distortions of history and how these can warp our view of the present day.Presented by Tom Clark with Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Alan Rusbridger. He used to edit the Guardian newspaper and now he helps to run Oxford University. A degree from Oxford is a huge advantage in life, but it's still full of pupils from private school—so how can Oxford solve its "posh problem"?Featuring Tom Clark, Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pakistan has endured decades of unsettled politics, extremist violence and war. But can a new generation of young political activists take the country in a new direction? Samira Shackle discusses her recent article for Prospect on the emerging voices in Pakistani politics which are challenging both the government and the army—a dangerous thing to do. With Steve Bloomfield, Tom Clark, Alex Dean and Sameer Rahim. Produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prospect speaks to Paul Collier, the Oxford economist, about Britain's London problem. The capital city attracts a huge amount amount of the country's economic activity and keeps the benefits for itself: how can Britain's smaller towns and cities get their fair share? Hosted by Tom Clark, with Steve Bloomfield and Alex Dean.Producer, Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour Shadow Chancellor is Jeremy Corbyn's oldest political ally, but is John McDonnell the hard-left bruiser that his image suggests? Kevin Maguire talks to Steve Bloomfield about the life and times of the man who would be Chancellor and how training for the priesthood, working in factories and running a care home have shaped his world view.Featuring Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prospect magazine talks to Clare Malone from FiveThirtyEight.com about America's new left. How far can people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez go? And how will Democratic Socialists like her affect the coming midterm elections?Plus, Stephanie Boland on rediscovering a great writer and Alex Dean on when politicians just won't take the blame.Hosted by Tom Clark, editor, Prospect.Prod. Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The historian, author and BBC commentator Mark Urban discusses his new book on the former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned in Salisbury, along with his daughter. Who was Skripal, who tried to kill him and why?Plus, Alex Dean on politics and Sameer Rahim on culture. Presented by Prospect's editor, Tom Clark.Produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.