

FARSIGHT
Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS)
Narrated articles and conversations with the world's foremost futures thinkers, delivered to you by FARSIGHT, a quarterly publication by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2025 • 11min
The Anything-to-Everything Future Is Here
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.

5 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 15min
The Tech Coup
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.

11 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 48min
Futurism Has Become Reactionary w/ Karim Jebari
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.

Feb 24, 2025 • 23min
Gold, Guns, and Greenbacks
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.

Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 15min
Visiting Sweden’s Superfuturist w/ Dr Anders Sandberg
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.

Jan 30, 2025 • 12min
Cash Out
As digital payments take over, cash is disappearing – but should we think twice? From privacy concerns to power dynamics, the push toward a cashless society raises questions about control, choice, and trust.
Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the Institute.
Author: Josh Sims
Narration: August Liljenberg (with ElevenLabs AI)
Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

Jan 13, 2025 • 15min
Wisdom in Wagers
The recent boom in prediction markets has breathed new life into an old debate: does the wisdom of the crowd combined with financial incentives produce the best forecasts of future events?
Subscribe to FARSIGHT by becoming a Futures Member at the Institute
Author: Casper Skovgaard Petersen
Narrator: August Leo Liljenberg (with ElevenLabs AI)
Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

Dec 23, 2024 • 13min
When Models Mislead
The discussion highlights the flaws in current climate models and their potential to mislead future decisions. It critically examines the Social Cost of Carbon and challenges in accurately measuring greenhouse gas impacts. Concerns about the economic implications of models favoring temperature increases are raised, emphasizing a need for precautionary approaches. The unpredictability of climate change complicates policy formulation, stressing the importance of adaptability and learning from past modeling errors.

Dec 3, 2024 • 15min
Bodiless Pleasures
In a thought-provoking conversation, Aella, a researcher and adult content creator, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of sexuality. She explores how technology, like OnlyFans, alters power dynamics in intimate relationships. Aella dives into the fascinating potential of artificial wombs and disembodied sex, pondering the implications for human connection. The discussion also highlights the unique distinctions between human and animal sexual behaviors, emphasizing pleasure and exploration as pivotal aspects of human sexuality.

Oct 28, 2024 • 14min
The Beauty Revolution
The ubiquity of smartphones and social media has turbocharged visual culture. With the addition of increasingly sophisticated and affordable cosmetic surgeries, beauty standards are pushed into strange new territories.
Caroline Zielinski
Narration: Manya Lind (with ElevenLabs AI)
Published by the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies