Big Think – Details, episodes & analysis

"If we did create beings that were more like non-human animals, we ought to treat them much better than we now treat non-human animals." What happens when AI becomes conscious? Philosopher Peter Singer explores the ethical dilemma that could follow the creation of sentient machines. If AI can feel pain or experience pleasure, do we have a moral obligation to protect it? Singer argues that governments, scientists, and ethicists must prepare now for the rights and protections conscious AI may require. 0:00 Will we create conscious AI? 1:30 The ethical dilemma of sentient AI 1:56 Does AI deserve rights? 2:48 How we treat sentient AI 3:42 Experts in AI ------------------------------------------------------------ About Peter Singer: Peter Singer has been described as the world’s most influential philosopher. Born in Melbourne in 1946, he has been professor of bioethics at Princeton University since 1999. His many books include Animal Liberation - often credited with triggering the modern animal rights movement - Practical Ethics, The Life You Can Save, The Most Good You Can Do, and Ethics in the Real World. In 2023, he published Animal Liberation Now, a fully revised and updated version of the 1975 original. Singer’s writings have also inspired the movement known as effective altruism, and he is the founder of the charity The Life You Can Save. In 2021 he was awarded the $1 million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, which he donated to nonprofit organizations working for the causes he supports. In 2023 he received the Frontiers of Knowledge Prize for the Humanities, from the Spanish BBVA Foundation. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes -----------------------07:42-16 ---------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"There is so much more uncertainty and volatility in a world that is moving fast with big countries that are more at odds with each other and with fewer rules of the road that leaders, companies, and societies are adhering to." Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, has been delivering his insightful Top Risks Report for 15 years. The primary objective? To systematically outline how we should approach the world's most significant threats and opportunities in any given year.Bremmer's Top Risks report stands in stark contrast to the clickbait and anger-inducing algorithmic news dominating social platforms. Rather than succumbing to sensationalism, the report serves as a rallying point for professionals and the wider public to focus on what truly matters for global success. It navigates the realm of reality, steering away from ideology and personal biases."The G-Zero world and America first are working together in lockstep, and that means more ungoverned spaces, more rogue actors, more geopolitical instability and more conflict. That's where we're heading in 2025." Here, Bremmer presents his top 10 risks demanding our attention and preparation in the year 2025. Chapters For Easier Navigation:00:00: Top 10 threats of 202500:48: Mexican standoff02:28: Ungoverned spaces04:56: AI unbound07:03: Beggar thy world08:40: Iran on the ropes10:34: Russia still rogue12:22: Trumponomics14:44: US-China breakdown16:51: Rule of Don19:45: The G-Zero winsAbout Ian Bremmer:Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm started in 1998. Today, the company has offices in New York, Washington, and London, as well as a network of experts and resources around the world. Bremmer has authored several books, including the national bestseller The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations? Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------------------------------------------07:42-16 ---------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If we're related to every living thing on the planet, do we not have a special responsibility for every living thing on this planet? They are really all our relatives." What does it truly mean to be alive? Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Paul Nurse answers biology’s most fundamental (and elusive) question in his full interview with Big Think. Drawing from decades of research, Nurse explores how five core ideas redefine life, from the hidden power of the cell to the bizarre machinery inside us all. Chapters: 00:00 Why title the book ‘What is Life'? 00:53 What is the current biological definition of "life"? 02:38 What is the cell, and why is it important for understanding life? 07:09 What is the connection between humans and yeast? 11:37 The genetic advantage of yeast 13:45 Genes, dna, and evolution 22:39 What exactly is cell division and how is it important for understanding life? 23:50 How important is natural selection? 26:29 What are the consequences of natural selection? 30:25 Our responsibility to steward nature 31:09 Life = Chemistry + Information 40:39 What is the basis of all life? -------------------------------------------------- About Paul Nurse: Paul Nurse, Ph.D, is a British biochemist. He was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Leland H. Hartwell and R. Timothy Hunt for their discoveries regarding cell cycle regulation by cyclin and cyclin dependent kinases. He became Rockefeller University's ninth president in 2003 -----------------------------------------------------10:15-14 ---------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We're now in the initial stages of the next revolution." Dr. Michio Kaku, the renowned theoretical physicist, walks through the evolutionary journey of quantum computing, from analog to digital to the quantum era. Quantum computers hold immense promise because of their ability to tap into parallel universes, which boosts their computational power exponentially. They could revolutionize agriculture, energy, and medicine, solving complex problems like creating efficient fertilizers, achieving fusion energy, and modeling diseases at the molecular level. The race between major tech companies and intelligence agencies to actualize this power is intense, as they could redefine industries and even global power structures if they succeed. The endeavor isn’t without challenges; we’ve yet to create a fully functional quantum computer. But Kaku envisions a future where quantum computers unravel complex equations, potentially shedding light on profound cosmic mysteries. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Dr. Michio Kaku Dr. Michio Kaku is the co-founder of string field theory, and is one of the most widely recognized scientists in the world today. He has written 4 New York Times Best Sellers, is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning and has hosted numerous science specials for BBC-TV, the Discovery/Science Channel. His radio show broadcasts to 100 radio stations every week. Dr. Kaku holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York (CUNY), where he has taught for over 25 years. He has also been a visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced Study as well as New York University (NYU). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------07:42-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sabine Hossenfelder investigates life's big questions through the lens of physics, particularly Einstein's theory of special relativity. She highlights the relativity of simultaneity, which states that the notion of "now" is subjective and dependent on the observer. This leads to the block universe concept, where past, present, and future all exist simultaneously, making the past just as real as the present. Hossenfelder also emphasizes that the fundamental laws of nature preserve information rather than destroy it. Although information about a deceased person disperses, it remains an integral part of the universe. This idea of timeless existence, derived from the study of fundamental physics, offers profound spiritual insights that can be difficult to internalize in our everyday lives. As a result, Hossenfelder encourages people to trust the scientific method and accept the profound implications of these discoveries, which may reshape our understanding of life and existence. As a physicist, Hossenfelder trusts the knowledge gained through the scientific method and acknowledges the challenge of integrating these deep insights into our daily experiences. By contemplating these profound concepts, we can potentially expand our understanding of reality and our place within it. 0:00 Is your dead grandma still alive? 1:25 Before Einstein… and after 2:53 Relativity of simultaneity, explained 5:14 Spacetime and the ‘block universe’ 6:10 Eternal existence: The conservation of quantum information 8:22 “I know it sounds crazy, but…” ----------------------------------------------------------07:42-16 ---------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Are you trapped in a narrative that isn’t really yours?** From childhood, we absorb beliefs about who we are—“the smart one,” “the creative one,” “the failure.” These labels, shaped by family and environment, become our **Perception Box**, limiting what we believe is possible. But neuroscience reveals that we can rewrite our stories. By recognizing negative thought patterns, questioning old identities, and celebrating small wins, we can **rewire our brains** and reshape our reality. **So, who do you really want to be?** Your brain is wired to repeat the familiar. Change this wiring, and it will change your life. Nicole Vignola, a neuroscientist and organizational psychologist, explains how deeply rooted beliefs can limit our potential and keep us trapped in patterns of thought. These perceptions, often shaped by our upbringing and environment, aren’t necessarily our own—but they can be changed.Nicole shares how the brain’s natural biases, like negativity bias and confirmation bias, reinforce these limiting beliefs. However, with the right approach, it’s possible to reshape our mental patterns. By practicing metacognition—observing and naming our thoughts—we can start to rewire our perception and create new, empowering narratives.Our brains are capable of change at any age. By focusing on small wins and challenging automatic thoughts, we can break free from old beliefs and begin using a mindset that better serves ourselves and our futures. About Nicole Vignola:Nicole Vignola is a neuroscientist, author and corporate consultant. With a BSc in Neuroscience and an MSc in Organizational Psychology, Nicole works with companies and individuals worldwide, educating them on the science of human optimisation, health and longevity, and how to enable employees to perform better in their daily lives and in turn, bring peak performance to the workplace. Recent clients include Lloyds Bank, Makers Mark and Smeg Ltd. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes -----------------------------------------------------07:42-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Nobody gets out of love alive. We all suffer. We all have disappointments. It’s such a powerful brain system.” Why do we fall in love with one person over another? The late biological anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher unpacks the evolutionary roots of romantic love, sex, and attachment. Using research derived from the ethnographies of hunter-gatherer societies and fMRI brain scans Fisher explains how love functions as a powerful survival mechanism. 00:00:00 A life shaped by love and curiosity 00:00:17 What was growing up like for you? 00:00:47 When did you first learn about sex? 00:03:30 What is the importance of sex in our lives? 00:06:13 How did your family life lead you to study the brain? 00:08:19 Is love supernatural? 00:09:23 Love is a drive, not a feeling 00:09:33 Why did humans evolve in a way other mammals did not? 00:17:18 How did you conduct your FMRI studies? 00:19:14 What did you find in your FMRI studies? 00:21:30 Did you think about the reviewer who called love “supernatural”? 00:21:54 Could you describe your next study? 00:24:15 How can this information be used? 00:26:12 How to make love last 00:28:25 How can we maintain a long-term relationship? 00:29:19 What is science doing to expand our understanding of love? 00:30:13 What work do you do with Match.com? 00:34:37 How is online dating affecting love? 00:37:22 What is “slow love"? 00:41:07 How are millennials approaching love? 00:43:31 Are men and women different? 00:53:59 Why are millennials different? 00:55:16 Does this change from city to city? 00:57:27 Does sex, love, and attachment always happen in that order? 01:05:04 What are the findings of your work? --------------------------------------------------------------------- About Helen Fisher: Helen E. Fisher, Ph.D. Biological anthropologist, was a Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, and a Member of the Center For Human Evolutionary Studies in the Department of Anthropology at Rutgers University. She wrote six books on the evolution, biology, and psychology of human sexuality, monogamy, adultery and divorce, gender differences in the brain, the neural chemistry of romantic love and attachment, human biologically-based personality styles, why we fall in love with one person rather than another, hooking up, friends with benefits, living together and other current trends, and the future of relationships — what she called: slow love. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------07:42-16 ---------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I want people to know that their lives matter and that their deaths ultimately will too.” How a journey to Cuba made Alua Arthur confront her own mortality, and ultimately led her to her career as a death doula. Alua Arthur, a death doula, never expected to find her calling in the space between life and death. Struggling with depression and a sense of not belonging, she was searching for meaning when a chance encounter in Cuba changed everything. After encountering death in her personal life, she began to confront her own mortality—and realize she wasn’t truly living. This moment, combined with the loss of her brother-in-law, set her on a path to becoming a death doula, someone who supports people through their final days. Now, she is an author, a (public speaker), and has dedicated her career to helping others embrace life by acknowledging its inevitable end. Alua Arthur, a death doula, shares her journey from feeling like an outsider to finding purpose in helping others face death with grace. She describes struggling with depression while working as a lawyer, feeling disconnected from life. A transformative conversation with a terminally ill woman in Cuba made her confront her own mortality and realize the importance of truly living. When her brother-in-law fell ill and passed away, it deepened her understanding of life and death. She then chose to become a death doula—providing emotional and logistical support to the dying and their loved ones. Through this work, she has learned to live with urgency, be fully present, and embrace herself as she is. Key Takeaways: Facing death helps clarify what truly matters in life. Living fully means embracing every moment without holding back. Supporting people in their final moments can be a deeply healing and meaningful role. About Alua Arthur: Alua Arthur is a death doula, end-of-life care expert, and founder of Going with Grace, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals navigate the final chapter of their lives. After struggling with depression and identity, Alua found purpose in guiding others through the dying process with compassion and dignity. She has dedicated her life to empowering people to face death with grace, offering support to both individuals and their families. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ---------------------------------------------07:42-16 ------ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How your biology and environment make your decisions for you, according to Dr. Robert Sapolsky. Robert Sapolsky, PhD is an author, researcher, and professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. In this interview with Big Think’s Editor-in-Chief, Robert Chapman Smith, Sapolsky discusses the content of his most recent book, “Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will.” Being held as a child, growing up in a collectivist culture, or experiencing any sort of brain trauma – among hundreds of other things – can shape your internal biases and ultimately influence the decisions you make. This, explains Sapolsky, means that free will is not – and never has been – real. Even physiological factors like hunger can discreetly influence decision making, as discovered in a study that found judges were more likely to grant parole after they had eaten. This insight is key for interpreting human behavior, helping not only scientists but those who aim to evolve education systems, mental health research, and even policy making. ----------------- About Robert Sapolsky: Robert M. Sapolsky holds degrees from Harvard and Rockefeller Universities and is currently a Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford University and a Research Associate with the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya. His books include New York Times bestseller, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst and Determined. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------------------------------------------07:42-16 ---------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three psychology and sociology experts, Robert Waldinger, Michael Slepian, and Richard Reeves come together in this compilation to discuss the psychology of loneliness and the way we can combat the “friendship recession.” It’s 2024. It’s harder than ever to foster deep connections with others. Everyone feels like they’re missing out on friendships, and every day of isolation makes it even harder to escape the rut. From keeping secrets to workism, these experts are unpacking why we feel lonely and suggesting the ways we can combat it. They encourage us to reach out, be vulnerable, and prioritize our relationships, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggle and that meaningful connections are within reach. By following their advice, we can transform our social lives and experience the joy and fulfillment that come from true companionship. Understanding the root causes of our loneliness and actively working to build and maintain connections can help us break free from isolation and create a more connected, fulfilling life. About Robert Waldinger: Robert Waldinger, MD is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a practicing psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and a Zen teacher and practitioner. For the last two decades, Waldinger has been the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. This study, conducted over more than 85 years, has analyzed the entire lives of 724 families to determine the activities, behaviors, and dynamics that enhance a person’s life-long well-being. Waldinger has dedicated his career to examining these elements and discovering what brings true fulfillment to human existence. He is the author of several books, including his most recent, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness About Michael Slepian: Michael Slepian is the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia University. A recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science, he is the leading expert on the psychology of secrets and author of The Secret Life of Secrets. Slepian has authored more than fifty articles on secrecy, truth, and deception. His research has been covered by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and more. About Richard Reeves: Richard V. Reeves is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he directs the Future of the Middle Class Initiative and co-directs the Center on Children and Families. His Brookings research focuses on the middle class, inequality and social mobility. Richard writes for a wide range of publications, including the New York Times, Guardian, National Affairs, The Atlantic, Democracy Journal, and Wall Street Journal. He is the author of Dream Hoarders (Brookings Institution Press, 2017), and John Stuart Mill – Victorian Firebrand (Atlantic Books, 2007), an intellectual biography of the British liberal philosopher and politician. Dream Hoarders was named a Book of the Year by The Economist, a Political Book of the Year by The Observer, and was shortlisted for the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice. In September 2017, Politico magazine named Richard one of the top 50 thinkers in the U.S. For his work on class and inequality. A Brit-American, Richard was director of strategy to the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2012. Other previous roles include director of Demos, the London-based political think-tank; social affairs editor of the Observer; principal policy advisor to the Minister for Welfare Reform, and research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Richard is also a former European Business Speaker of the Year and has a BA from Oxford University and a PhD from Warwick University. Folllow this Podcast for daily Episodes ----------------------------------------------------07:42-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices