In this fun and festive Live! holiday special, Sean and Andrew are joined by the crew of ASU's Center for Science and the Imagination, Ed Finn, Ruth Wylie, and Bob Beard to have a go at a spontaneous lighting round of random futures-oriented questions. Great insights and a lot of laughs - recorded in front of a live studio audience.
In this lively and thought-provoking episode, Sean and Andrew team up with Ed Finn, Ruth Wylie, and Bob Beard from ASU’s Center for Science and the Imagination for a rapid-fire discussion on the future of humanity. Together, they explore themes like the values that will shape our future, the role of kindness in communities, AI's potential role in governance, and how humor evolves alongside technology.
The conversation delves into fascinating intersections between technology, nature, and human experience. Topics include plant communication, the Gaia hypothesis, the future of transportation and tourism, the evolution of universities, and the existential question: does the future need humanity? This engaging live discussion underscores the importance of balancing technological progress with a deeper connection to nature and community.
Links:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Being Human Initiative
02:40 Exploring Values in the Future
05:02 The Role of Kindness in Future Societies
12:50 AI, Politics, and the Future of Governance
19:23 The Future of Humor and AI
26:22 Interpreting Communication in Nature
27:38 Plant Communication and Intelligence
30:57 The Gaia Hypothesis and Planetary Awareness
33:41 Technology vs. Nature: A Double-Edged Sword
34:37 The Future of Transportation and Tourism
39:18 The Evolution of Universities in the Future
44:25 The Role of Kindness in Future Communities
48:25 Does the Future Need Us?