FARSIGHT

For most of human history we believed that everything that could happen, had already happened, and would happen again – ad infinitum. The rise of novel media technologies would change that. From books to computers, the medium with which we record and process information grants us access to history's forking paths.Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the InstituteAuthor: Thomas MoynihanNarrator: Manya Lind (with ElevenLabs AI)Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

Kerstin Preuschoff and Ewa Lombard are neuroscientists at LUCID in Geneva, specializing in decision-making and uncertainty. They dive into how our brains envision the future and why some cultures handle uncertainty better than others. The duo discusses the emotional influences on decision-making and diverse cultural perspectives on time. They also explore the creative limitations of adults versus children, the impact of optimism on mental health, and the intriguing phenomenon of aphantasia, revealing the complexities of our cognitive processes.

The ‘carbon coin’, first proposed in 2019, then popularised through science fiction, is a proposal for making carbon capture and mitigation profitable – the carrot to carbon taxing’s stick. All it takes is getting the world’s governments and central banks on board. We spoke to Delton Chen, the Australian civil engineer and geo-hydrologist who first thought of the idea.Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the Institute.Author: Caroline ZielinskiNarration: August Leo Liljenberg (with ElevenLabs AI)Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

The discussion delves into the historical fears of technology undermining our cognitive abilities, from Socrates to today's concerns about AI. The growing reliance on generative AI is scrutinized for potentially dulling problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It also examines how this AI dependence compares to past technological shifts and its effects on memory retention. The conversation emphasizes the need for cognitive discipline and media literacy to navigate the information overload of our digital age.

Some problems are simply too big for nation states to solve. In this episode, we speak to historian and futurist Nils Gilman, co-author of Children of a Modest Star. Planetary challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, space junk, require radically reimagining governance - and Gilman talks to us about how this could be achieved.Nils Gilman is Executive Vice President of the Berggruen Institute and Deputy Editor of Noema Magazine.Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the Institute.Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

With AI, all the products of human creativity become malleable. Stories and images flow seamlessly across formats – in constant flux and open to reimagination. What does this all mean for the role of human creators? Creative Lead of GenMedia Resarch at Google DeepMind, Matthieu Lorrain, answers our questions and paints a picture of a future-that-might-be.Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the Institute.Author: Sofie HvitvedNarrator: August Leo Liljenberg (with ElevenLabs AI)Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.

Marietje Schaake, a Dutch politician and author, dives into the battle for digital sovereignty in Europe. She argues that a coup against democracy is underway, driven by tech giants gaining unprecedented influence. Schaake emphasizes the urgent need for effective regulation to prevent outsourcing vital societal functions to these companies. She also discusses how the EU can develop strong alternatives to American tech pressures, highlighting the importance of unifying responses to preserve talent and foster investment within Europe.

Karim Jebari, a futurist and philosopher at the Mimir Centre for Long-Term Futures Research, challenges conventional narratives surrounding futurism, claiming it has become reactionary. He explores the need for progressive Nordic values to counteract market-driven tech ideologies. The conversation dives into existential risks tied to technological evolution, scrutinizing the myths of space colonization and the limitations of current technologies. Jebari also emphasizes the role of governance and diverse scenarios in navigating climate challenges and the future of humanity.

Explore the fascinating history of dollar hegemony and the Bretton Woods Conference, where visions of global financial stability clashed. Delve into the decline of the gold standard and the rise of the yuan, fueled by geopolitical shifts like Saudi Arabia's oil transactions. Discover proposed reforms for a new international reserve currency amidst financial crises. The podcast navigates the complexities of international monetary policy and the ongoing debates surrounding the future of global economic dominance.

Dr. Anders Sandberg, a polymath and futurist with a PhD in computational neuroscience, dives into existential risks posed by AI and the current landscape of futures studies. He discusses the unique role of Swedish futurists and the synergy between generalists and specialists in knowledge discovery. The conversation touches on the decline of polymathy in academia and the future potential of cryopreservation, prompting thought on identity and evolution in an advanced society. Sandberg's insights intertwine philosophical and technological aspects, painting a compelling picture of our future.