Is The World F*cked?

#45 - Death by Selfie

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1100

Is narcissism on the rise? Are we all in danger if losing our souls behind a cloud of selfies and avocado-on-toast pics and ‘look at me’ TikTok dance videos? Yep, it’s only one of the biggest questions of our time, and today your fearless and dynamic duo of podcasting is diving in! PJ offers advice on how to spot a narcissist. Dr Bruce exhibits an unhealthy fixation with the Queen of Denmark. And at some stage we try to squeeze in some actual science (but we don't try very hard).
Oh and by the way, dear listener, did we sound amazing? Were we sexy and sophisticated? Did you like our cover pic? Did you share us with all your friends? Did you? Huh? Did you?
:-)

And for the gruesomely minded, here's that list of selfie-related injuries and deaths we talked about!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#44 - Blowing Up Hydrogen - Part 2

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1100

H2, what is it good for? After calling out the scam-artists and greenwashers and setting a match to just about every hydrogen project on the planet based on the sky-high energy-input requirements and appalling economics, we’re putting on our nice guy hats to look at where that fab little molecule makes sense. But you know us: fun is our name and irreverence is our game, so of course we also rake over a few more pet H2 projects sponsored by Big Gas before offering some gratuitous and entirety unsolicited advice to our good friends at Toyota!

And if you're looking for Bruce’s calculations referenced in the episode, you’ll find them in this article. And his interview with Michael Barnard on hydrogen and our energy future can be found here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#43 - Blowing Up Hydrogen - Part 1

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 13:00:00 +1100

Hydrogen projects are everywhere and hey, they’re green, right? Water at the tailpipe? No CO2 emissions? And Toyota has bet BIG so it’s gotta be good. What’s not to like?
Turns out, plenty … Your loveable rogues are kicking off 2024 with a BANG this episode by checking out the good, the bad and the ugly of the universe’s smallest and most plentiful atom, and as always, we’re not holding back! It’s planes, trains and Hindenbergs ladies and gentlemen, so fasten your seatbelts. What colour would you like your Hydrogen? Black, grey, blue or green?

And if you're looking for Bruce’s calculations referenced in the episode, you’ll find them in this article. And his interview with Michael Barnard on hydrogen and our energy future can be found here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#42 - Do BMW Drivers Share Their Bananas?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +1100

In this episode, we tackle the deepest of questions: "Are all BMW drivers assholes?” and needless to say, it’s all downhill from there!

After performing an irreverent dissection of driver behaviour and car brands with sordid marketing campaigns, the banter takes a surprising turn regarding wealth, privilege, and entitlement before unveiling a genuine university study aimed at answering the burning question, "Are BMW drivers assholes?"

We then investigate what a Mr/Ms LOMBARD is and which industry takes that term very seriously, before finding out what all of this has to do with bananas.

Tune in for the answers, but be warned—laughter is the main ingredient! And when the laughter subsides, why not spread the joy? We'd love you to share the episode, the ultimate Christmas gift, with your friends. It's free, and you'll know who to send it to first, based on the car they drive!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ITWF IN 2023!

Join us in 2024 as we delve into the realms of science, human behaviour, and all things weird and irreverent as we ask and answer the question, "Is the World F*cked?" (Hint: mostly, it's not :-)

PS: Next year we'll be launching our website and a public forum so you can get in on the action too with our ITWF community. Stay tuned.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#41 - Jurassic Park: Should We or Shouldn’t We?

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:00:00 +1100

Jurassic Park. It’s one of our all-time favorite movies. De-extinction, baby! Who wouldn’t want to watch a T-Rex chomping down on a goat … and, er, eyeing us through an upside-down car window ... Okay, okay, maybe not! Um, PJ, how about bringing me back a nice placid herbivore instead? How big, did you say? Cripes! How about one that can't stomp on my house?

Questions, questions! And here’s the thing, those questions matter, because we’re doing it. Through the power of gene-sequencing and editing, we ARE bringing back woolly mammoths and Tasmanian tigers and dodos, and we’re doing it SOON.

DON'T PANIC! You’ve come to the right podcast: Dr Bruce has been chatting to the world’s leading genomic scientist to get you all the answers you need. So button your safari jacket and grab your pith helmet (and keep a sharp eye on those dark woods over there, please, in case a sabre-tooth sneaks up on us) as we share the myths and realities and ask: what species would you like to bring back?

Trust us, we're experts ... “Hey PJ, pass the CRISPR please, and check out the claws on this velociraptor I made!”

You can explore more about de-extinction, the woolly mammoth project, and other head-spinning cutting-edge genomics projects (like age-reversal) in Dr Bruce's interview with George Church here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#40 - A One Shot Cure For Cholesterol

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:00:00 +1100

In this episode, we're diving into the world of cholesterol and, spoiler alert, it's a pretty big deal... especially if you have high LDL numbers despite training your arse off and running for miles (as per guess who - we heard you PJ :).

The World Health Federation dropped a bombshell recently, attributing nearly 8% of global deaths to high cholesterol every year. Shocking, right? But hold on to your butter and banana bread, because we've got some potentially game-changing news.

Imagine a ONE-SHOT TREATMENT that not only kicks 'bad' cholesterol to the curb but also slashes your risk of a heart attack by half—for life. One-shot and done!

Game-changer right?

No, this isn't science fiction; it's more over-the-horizon science as heard first on this podcast :). Join us as Dr. Bruce spills the beans on this revolutionary gene therapy he saw during his visit to Philadelphia, and heard straight from the brilliant mind behind it all. Get ready for a dose of groundbreaking science that could reshape our health landscape in a massive way and forever.

So let's get into it! Cheese and prawns anyone?

PS: You can find out more about this incredible gene therapy by listening to Dr Bruce’s original interview with Kiran Musunuru here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#39 - What's Life Like in the Amazon Algorithm

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +1100

Dr Bruce recently had the good fortune of venturing into the world of Amazon Fulfilment Centres - and what he found is insane.

As he walked through the unmanned doors, it hit him – he'd just stepped into the pulsating heart of an algorithmic wonderland. So today, we're peeling back the layers of this e-commerce onion to reveal the comedic gold that lies within. From the mesmerising dance of robots to the mind-boggling scale of it all, we're diving into the wild world of fulfillment – Amazon style.

Spoiler alert: it's not your average walk in the park; it's a stroll through a digital realm where packages move faster than you can say "free two-day shipping."

So, buckle up and join us as we navigate the labyrinth of boxes, algorithms, and unexpected hilarity that is an Amazon fulfilment centre in the USA - 24/7.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#38 - Wired Differently: Dr. Bruce's Amish Encounter

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +1100

Let's get rid of our phones. Our cars. Our laptops. Our kids?

Today we're unpacking a unique experience—Dr Bruce's visit to the Amish community in the USA a few weeks ago.

Bruce brings his first-hand experience among the rolling hills and red barns, as we delve into the Amish lifestyle, the good and bad, traditionally rooted in simplicity.

Famous for their aversion to modern conveniences, the Amish seem to have found a delicate balance. From horse-drawn buggies to solar-powered tools, they've embraced innovation selectively to try to preserve their cultural identity and tight social fabric.

It might all be a great lesson for our wider world as to how we adopt technology mindfully, maintain strong family ties, and nurture vibrant communities.

Good? Bad? Your cup of tea? See what you think.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#37 - Psychopathic AI

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:00:00 +1100

Ready for some darkness? All this year, senate committees and billionaires and scientists have been wrangling the question, ‘Is AI an existential threat to humanity?’ Yes, really. Dr Bruce and PJ wade into the arguments, for and against. So, how could it happen? What do we watch out for? Will our executioner be Skynet, The Terminator, HAL 9000 … or Siri! Remember that wrong turn off a bridge? Thant's one way Siri can kill you! Um, PJ? Your Roomba has an unblinking red eye, and it seems to be following me wherever I go …
Wanna dive deeper? Read Dr Bruce’s essay "Should We Worry About Skynet?”

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#36 - Suffocating In The Plastisphere

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +1100

How to tackle plastic pollution? Can we? We rip into the plastic polluters spewing their packaging across our landscapes and into our rivers and growing the monumental garbage-islands that are already blanketing our oceans. What can we do to stop these vandals? What can we do to trap the stuff earlier? Can we make recycling work? Are bio-plastics the answer? Warning: we’re angry, and we aren’t holding back!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#35 - Charge Stations. Who Needs ’Em?

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +1100

Solar roadways anyone?

So with all these EVs around, how can we charge them without relying on heavy dirty energy production? Well, we thought we'd find out by exploring the weird, whacky, and wonderful ways of charging vehicles.

Rollable solar panels you can keep in the trunk? How about wireless charging while you’re honking down the highway at full throttle? And what crazy scheme are they trialing on the highways of northern Germany that has Dr Bruce so excited?

Tune in and find out!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#34 - The EV is Dead! Long Live The EV!

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 07:00:00 +1100

Just when you thought you understood electric vehicles, along comes a company re-inventing them from the ground up! So now the question is: what do you do with your old redundant EV?

Well, we're not sure.

However, we are sure that the Solar EV, or SEV, is very real, and despite being currently challenged when it comes to commercialization, is sure to win that battle (just as Tesla did), to be here in a showroom near you soon. And when it does, the whole world changes - again.

So the questions are: How much extra range will you get when you leave it in the sun? How many months might you go without having to recharge your little battery (that's right - months!)? How much will you pay for one? When can you get one? And the most important question of all: will you look like a dork or a dude/dudess driving one?

PJ's ready to buy one now, although he may need a GoFundMe page to help, and he’s certainly keen to talk about them. Oh, and while we did, we discovered that maybe solar EVs are a roundabout way of solving the housing crisis. Listen to find out how we came to that conclusion!

We had some fun making this one... and we're still going! :)

PS: If you're really interested, check out these innovators for more info: https://lightyear.one/

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#33 - Pet Psychiatry and AI - Now That’s Depressing!

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +1100

What's that Rover? There's danger over that fence? Are you sure? Ohhhh, you mean you FEEL like there's danger over there. OK - no problem my beautiful fur baby. I'll grab my AI co-pilot so we can talk that through (and your puppy-hood), then let's get you to the vet shrink.. and sort that out for good.

OK - before we start. It's all fine ... we LOVE pets - especially the puppies (and yes PJ loves the pussy cats too). We're not against mind meds - obviously. BUT, for pets? And do they really want us to talk to them in their language? Yes, we are. This one has really snuck up on the world.

So we think it’s high time we had a quiet chat about the truckloads of anxiety meds we’re giving our dogs. Truckloads!!! Did we say quiet? Because one of us is angry! Barking mad! Guess who. Get the meds.

It's a free-wheeling discussion about the weird, the wacky, and the just plain ugly in pet healthcare, and we're not holding back! Know a vet? Maybe you could send this episode and ask them to explain what in the world is going on.

Or ... maybe you shouldn’t.

Because, we end up having Dr Bruce channel Dr Doolittle as we also take a quick look at how people are using AI to talk to the animals - poor animals. I guess at least congnitive-based therapy becomes an option then... whatever you prefer Spot.

Yeah, we had a LOT of fun making this episode. Woof!

PS: That whale project we talked about? It really is true! You and your pet can find out more about it here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#32 - You’ll Get a Charge Out Of This

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +1000

Wait - have you got a charger? I need a charger? Is there a powerpoint here somewhere? I need a powerpoint. Can I move this table? Can those people move aside? I think there's one behind there is all. I need that charger. I need it NOW!

You know the feeling. Lose the power - and it feels like you're disconnected from the world. Because in so many ways now - you are. So have a think - how important is battery technology to you and your world - and what does the future hold?

You want your phone to last a week. Your computer should at least last a full day right? Why is the solar on my house going to waste? We've got new laptops and new phones and new electric cars and new electric planes and new solar panels coming out the wazoo, so when will be getting some better batteries?

Yep, it’s a trillion dollar question, and who else to answer it than the charged-up dynamic duo from the future that you've come to love with Is The World F*cked? (Trust us, we research fakts).

Hey, did that battery just blow up? How did those cars burn? Why are batteries so expensive? And what’s that crackling sound coming from between your ears? Do I smell ozone? Batteries are on the move - finally. Listen to hear how.

Wanna know more? Listen to Dr Bruce’s 2022 interview with Dr George Crabtree at Argonne National Laboratory on the future of energy storage.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#31 - How Would You Like Your Cultured Cells Tonight Madam?

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +1000

The meat market (no not those old bars you hung out in - we mean the actual meat market) is on the move - are we F'ed or not? And we go beyond just plant-based alternatives - this gets bloody!

We’ve covered the massive global footprint of meat in a previous episode, now we’re sinking our teeth into possible solutions - both the plant-based and lab-grown variety. Yes, it's here.

That's right - we can grow your next dinner in the lab out the back. Almost. How do you like it? Rare, very rare, or squishy? Take a listen to find out just how far we've come in producing genuine meat from cells in a lab.

And what about those meat paddies made of plants. Are they really the future or is it all a dead end? And why can’t we do better than paddies? I want STEAK!

You might be surprised by where we go with this one - where we start - and more so - where we finish. We hope you have a strong stomach! Moooo!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#30 - This is Bigger Than Quantum Computing!

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:00:00 +1000

Computing power that we all use is about to change forever - and you heard it here first. The next generation of computer chips is on the way - and they are not as we know it... they're Neuromorphic! Neuro-what? Neuromorphic! Bio-inspired! More brain-like! Mimicking the eyes and ears and brains of flies, mice and -- yep -- humans.

Computing power is so - well... computer-like.... and that's old news. So forget all those old-hat computers we've been using since the 1950s. With exponential Artificial Intelligence growth now here, THIS is the future for computing power.

Dr Bruce has just come back from a leading lab in Australia where he’s poked and prodded all the cool new gadgets, and he’s busting to share.

Artificial eyes?

Wetware?

Brains in a dish?

Get ready for the mushy stuff! It's about to POWER YOUR WORLD!

Wanna learn more? Listen to the detail in Dr Bruce’s interview with Dr Alexandre Marcireau at the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#29 - The Sharemarket is Rigged! Pick Why!

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +1000

Bet that got your attention! If you day trade - or anything like it - you HAVE to listen to this episode - whether your financial advisor likes it or not. Oh yeah, because to hell with all that energy stuff we've been discussing for a while, today the boys are talking money! Mullah! Bacon! Coin!

BANK!!!!!

We're channelling our inner Gordon Gekkos and ripping into the stock market mafia you never hear about. Not the run-of-the-mill ostentatious Lamborghini-revving Wall Street rip-off merchants --- but the actual cheats.

The sophisticated types, the silent quants, the ones who write superfast algorithms, gain advantage with super short connections and build software black boxes to effectively print money continuously 365 days a year while taking on ZERO risk themselves.

We have a bunch of fun discussing their slick tricks and INSANE schemes (the ones we know about!) and where they go from here.

Is greed good? Are you a day trader? This is the episode for YOU.

Make sure to share it with all your friends and tell 'em in bold capital letters: THE STOCK MARKET IS RIGGED! (allegedly - hahaha).

Or ... maybe tell 'em it's all fine and dandy, nothing to see here, while you quietly fire-up your own algorithmic trading engine. I mean, if every other bloodsucker is doing it, why not you and us? Anything for an edge, baby! Kaaaaa-ching!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#28 - We Reckon This One Saves The World (Part 2)

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +1000

It's the second half of our Fusion love-fest. Having taken you on a tour of the International Thermonuclear Power Plant (ITER) in France, this time we’re flying you across the Atlantic to ogle yet another power plant under construction in Devens, Massachusetts.

Why does this one matter so much? We tap the secrets of the breakthrough design and talk cost efficiencies, because as we all know boys and girls, when it comes to energy, the almighty dollar matters!

And finally, after promising in the last episode, we talk timelines for igniting that first star here on Earth. How soon? How hot? And WHEN could we reasonably expect to have thousands of these babies pumping out clean, green, unlimited baseload electricity for the planet?

For Bruce's article on his conversation with Alex Creely spanning Commonwealth Fusion Systems and their SPARC and ARC protoypes, as well as Bruce's predicted timetable, see https://www.brucemccabe.com/futurebites/a-timeline-for-fusion .

For more on Commonwealth Fusion Systems see https://cfs.energy

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

# 27 - We Reckon This One Saves The World!

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +1000

Too much promise? Well... you listen and be the judge. We think firing up a human-made STAR right here on planet Earth is a great idea... BOLD, AUDACIOUS, MASSIVE, POWERFUL........... and SAFE.

Yep... don't believe it - take a listen and find out.

Completing our atomic tri-pod, this time we’re talking about that “other” atomic energy. That super-sexy, super-sultry version that beckons us away from our dark & dangerous dalliances with fission for sweet promises of clean, green, unlimited-fuel, baseload electricity.

That's right, it's fusion! And its safe even at 150 million degrees!!

You won't believe how it works. And stand back, because Dr Bruce is wetting himself to tell you about his visit to the world’s first full-scale power plant under construction in France. Yes, really, we're building one.

PJ keeps Bruce honest with a ton of sharp questions, and the guys rip into how it all works. Biggest magnets? Monster vacuum chambers? What could go wrong? How hard could it be? Will fusion save us? Don’t say we don’t tackle the big stuff!

Video of Bruce's tour of ITER, the world's first fusion power plant is at https://youtu.be/Vc6bWoA9uG0.

For more on ITER, visit www.iter.org.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#26 - In the End... Can Nuclear Save Us?

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +1000

After our Oppenheimer chinwag we thought we’d better talk about the ‘other’ nuke: nuclear power plants, that is. Fission, baby! Atom-splitting for energy!

It comes up constantly as a solution to climate change. It’s baseload, it comes with really cool chimneys, and it’s a place where people like Homer Simpson can work, so why not deploy a few thousand of those babies and kick greenhouse gases squarely in the nuts?

Well while we are wanting to see carbon emissions reduced fast - this may not be the answer - and the real reason may surprise you. Let's just say - as we so often do - follow the money!

After all - how many net new nuclear power stations do you think the world has now compared to a few decades ago? Is it practical or genius? Do the economics stack up?

Strap on your lead-lined underpants and grab your Geiger counter, we’re going reactor-diving to find out!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#25 - Oppenheimer and the Nukes. So are we?

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +1000

Time for an ITWF field trip so we scraped together all our podcast earnings and bought two tickets to “Oppenheimer,” and while we suck as movie reviewers we more than make up for it in enthusiasm!

After which we segue into some light-hearted topics such as, um, the necessity of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, the madness of Mutually Assured Destruction, the number of nukes currently locked and cocked and waiting to annihilate us, and those 'near misses' we keep having!

Dr Bruce confesses to an unhealthy fixation with visiting intercontinental ballistic missile silos and we try to rescue things with a happy (and true!) story of the Russian who saved the world.

“Where’s the doomsday clock set to?” Ten seconds closer to midnight, after they hear our podcast!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#24 - Now Every Microphone Is a Lie Detector

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the future, where hidden cameras capture your iris dilation and heartbeat and face flushes and breathing, and software listens to the stress patterns in your voice, all for the purpose of deciding whether or not you are telling the truth.

Except it’s not the future. It's now.

That's right, we're creeping into the dank dungeons of lie detection and predictive policing and pre-crime, and scaring ourselves rigid with what's already here. We explore whether that's OK. PJ, like so many people really, thinks sure - I'm not doing anything wrong... but take a listen to what Dr Bruce reveals - and then see what you think.

Won't you come with us? And while you're here, won't you answer a few questions?
Face that way, please. Don't worry about the light. Or the gun.

Do you love our podcast? Is it the very best ever? Have you shared it with ALL your friends? The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, please, OR WE'LL KNOW!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#23 - Can the Trees Save Us?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +1000

The hottest July (2023) in 120,000 years seems like a good time for a status check on emissions. We couldn't let it go... even the most skeptical out there would have to be interested in this result.

OK - so July 2023 broke all heat records in the air and in the ocean. And not just by a bit. We're talking about a massive effort result coming from where to mark the hottest month ever recorded globally by as much as a whopping 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit .

It was hotter last month than anything we’ve seen in the last 80 or so years, and scientists don’t think it stops there, with some experts using proxy measures to estimate it may have been the hottest month in the last 120,000 years.

So, we have found the time to talk about superheated oceans and the climate effects of changing currents, then Dr Bruce does a deep dive into deforestation. How fast? Where? Who’s cutting them down? Why? What about reforesting?

And the Big Question: is it possible, if we really set out minds to it, to plant our way out of the climate crisis? PJ and Bruce roll up their sleeves and talk about personal actions: and one thing we can all do to help improve our futures: (hint it's really easy) but are you bold enough to accept the challenge? Surprises galore in this episode!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#22 - Blowing Up The Planet To Save It

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 01:00:00 +1000

It doesn’t get scarier than this! After a listener request, we’re talking geoengineering schemes to solve climate change. You know, small things, like using nukes to knock planet Earth further away from the sun.

Dr Bruce divines the crazy from the casually insane, then details the schemes that serious scientists really are considering before going truly dark with the experiments people are conducting right now - without your permission.

Here are a few to get you thinking:

Space reflectors. Blocking a small proportion of sunlight before it reaches the Earth.
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. Grinding up, dispersing, and dissolving rocks such as limestone, silicates, or calcium hydroxide in the ocean to increase its ability to store carbon and directly ameliorate ocean acidification
Albedo enhancement. Increasing the reflectiveness of clouds or the land surface so that more of the Sun’s heat is reflected back into space.
Stratospheric aerosols. Introducing small, reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect some sunlight before it reaches the surface of the Earth.
Ocean Fertilisation. Adding nutrients to the ocean in selected locations to increase primary production which draws down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

WARNING: if this episode doesn’t scare you rigid, nothing will. Hey, has anyone still got some spare tickets to Mars?

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#21 - Mind Reading... But You Knew That Already. Right?!

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Fresh from presenting on the future of medicine, Dr Bruce is busting to talk about what he considers one of the most exciting frontiers right now -- reading and decoding directly off the brain (and writing to it too!).

Neuroethicists are split on whether a study that uses brain scans and AI to decode imagined thoughts poses a threat to mental privacy. But whatever you think - the advances are coming thick and fast, and we're already doing impossibly wonderful things like helping paraplegics walk again and catching criminals, with much, much more in the pipeline.

There's EEG, fNIRS [functional near-infrared spectroscopy], fMRI [functional magnetic resonance imaging], EMG, and other modalities that collect biological, electrophysiological, and other functions from the human brain. You can then use this data to identify particular patterns for the purpose of thought prediction and analysis. You can use it to make inferences based on brain states: are you tired, are you thinking about us, what are you thinking about, are you bored? are you telling the truth? what is your PIN number? what are the codes, and are you planning something terrible - like a crime?

Well, that is what could be in our future - especially when brain data is collected by consumer products or at retail outlets... so it's great - and not so great all at the same time - again.

And you guessed it - PJ’s evil side is already conjuring up darker, naughtier applications! Plug in your earbuds and dial 'em up to ten. This one will blow all your circuits! (although you probably already knew that!)

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#20 - Print Me A Kidney

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Hey doc? This heart’s ticking when it should be tocking – can you print me up a new one? That’s right, we’re wading knee-deep into the gooey world of bioprinting.

According to Grand View Research, the global 3D bioprinting market size was valued at $2B USD in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% as we move into the future to 2030.

This amazing growth is attributed to a limited number of organ donors, and an increasingly aging population with chronic respiratory diseases. Rising R&D investment, technological advancement, and increasing incidence of chronic diseases are other reasons ready to boost this incredible sector.

Can they print kidneys really? Can they print bladders, hearts, gallbladders, and even arms? Take a listen and find out.

Dr Bruce scrubs up and shares some eye-popping stories from one of his favorite lab visits, a place where they're learning how to manufacture all kinds of body parts for medical implantation.

So slip on the green gown and don't forget to tie those bows at the back (whoops), it’s another dose of medical optimism coming your way! Nitrous! Scalpel!

The world is becoming an incredibly fantastic place with this one.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#19 - Elon's World - Part 2

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1000

OK, it's true that PJ and I yabbered so much about Elon Musk in the past episode that we ran out of time – guilty! Although to some degree it's because Elon Musk has done so goddam much ... even we were surprised when we took a good look. Were you?

So we thought we'd do one of the most influential and divisive characters in the world today (as the same people who loved him for Tesla hate him for Twitter and so on... and yet he says he voted Democrat in the 2020 election, provides a satellite service for the Ukrainians to defend themselves against the Russian forces, and wants AI back in its box).

He's complex - like all of us... but a lot richer and more influential in your future life than most.

So now Part 2 is here. See what you think of him now.

We continue the march through Elon’s many ventures and adventures and have a good laugh as we unpack their respective impacts on the world, good and bad. Dr Bruce fires off a few unexpected salvos and PJ keeps the surprises coming, so watch out!

After we finish hyperventilating, and with our beer glasses drained to the suds, we try to sum up: has Elon delivered us a better future, or not? With Elon in the world - overall, are we f*cked, or are we better off? You can decide now you know everything he's done - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

UPDATE: Since recording this episode, Elon has rebranded Twitter to X.

Y?

What does that mean? We'll do an episode soon to explore it and let PJ's many years of branding work make some observations - and assessments... for you to decide for yourself.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#18 - Elon's World - Part 1

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1000

How many world-changing businesses can one human start, grow, manage and sell? What if you're Elon Musk? Let's see, there's Paypal, SpaceX, Starlink, Tesla, and a whole bunch more … plus that game he created and sold when he was just 12 years old. Yep. What were you doing at 12? If anyone deserves the title of ‘Future-Maker,’ (said with gusto, reverb, and echo) then it’s Mr Elon Musk. We dig into the man, the myths, the motives, and the accomplishments. And whether those superpowers indicate that he's an alien in disguise, or if he's just a naughty, naughty boy (thank you Monty Python).

But hang on .. what about the failures? What about the controversies? And spats with investors, the SEC, and cave divers in Thailand?

Stand by, there is ALOT to unpack! Loads of surprises too. So much in fact, that we had to make this Part 1 of 2.

We’ve been looking forward to recording this one for the history books!

Please feel free to share the episode with anyone you know who may have an opinion either way on Elon Musk - and whether because of him - we're f*cked, or not! We appreciate the share - and the opinion.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#17 - The Spy in Your Pocket

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Oh privacy, privacy, wherefore art thou privacy?

Our data is being pilfered in a zillion ways George Orwell could never have imagined, so we thought it high time we closed down TickTock and locked Alexa in the closet and kicked the Roomba out, and pull the batteries from your phones so we can have a confidential chat with you.

Is that OK? Are we letting our rights disappear one bit at a time - until almost now we have essentially no privacy.

Here are a few other ways you're being spied on every day: license plate readers as you drive around most cities, photos from space being taken by foreign satellites every day, every person watching a smart TV, every time your smartphone is near you, every time you use a card to purchase anything digitally, surfing the net, working with your webcam on, sending and receiving emails, downloading an ebook, and a whole bunch more.

Wait, did we forget something? And is that your shoe beeping? Listen to this one - and see what you think about being monitored all day long for someone else's advantage. We don't want o start a commune in the outback - but - let's at least all be aware - and leave those shoes in the back of the cupboard (not wait - they can still hear everything you say and do). Icarumba!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#16 - Lessons From Tokyo

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Konichiwa! For a change of pace we're sharing observations from one of our all-time favourite cities: quirky, crazy, tech-loving Tokyo - THE place for inspiring glimpses of what our future could be, and fresh thinking on how we embed technology into our city living lives.

Tokyo is an ultra-modern city, as per the famous always-bustling Shibuya Crossing. There's loads of fantastic eating, drinking, shopping, and entertainment to experience, such as the famous district of Harajuku. There's also plenty of history and culture such as the medieval Sensoji Temple or quirky museums such as the Ghibli Museum.

Tokyo's 2023 population is now estimated at 37,194,105. THAT'S BIG. And yet it operates like a well-oiled machine. How? Every day, approximately 2,400,000 people commute into the CBD of Tokyo - more than most total cities around the world in total. And with all this, the crime rate is one of the lowest in the world.

Tech is everywhere and drives most things - from vending machines with underpants through to the latest retina scanning security - and everything in between. It could be the future for us all - laid bare for us to see now.

So crack open an Asahi, sit back, and let the podcast flow like a haiku. Kampai!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#15 - Spraying Satellites Into the Sky

Tue, 30 May 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Hey - what's that flying around up there in the night sky? Smile - you're on satellite camera.

Private companies are spraying tens of thousands of satellites into orbit. What in blazes are they DOING up there? Who is operating them? Does anyone actually know? And – most importantly – why are all those orbiting cameras pointed at PJ’s house?

According to UNOOSA records, there are 8,261 satellites orbiting the Earth as at January 2022, of which only 4,852 satellites are active, confirmed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), who maintains the record of the operational satellites.

Hang on - concerned scientists? Um - why are they so concerned? Dust off your Space Force coveralls, pop in your earbuds, and find out!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#14 - Is the Moon F*cked?

Tue, 23 May 2023 01:00:00 +1000

3…2…1…BLAST OFF! Fly me to the Moon, baby!

With everyone hell-bent on sending humans back to our little grey buddy to take selfies and maybe mine the guts out of it, we tease out the good, the bad, and the ugly. And what about Mars and those mineral-laden asteroids? And, most importantly, what do PJ and Dr Bruce REALLY think of billionaire astronauts in cowboy hats? Strap in folks, and don't forget the oxygen!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#13 - Baby Won’t You Subscribe My Car?

Tue, 16 May 2023 01:00:00 +1000

You know those subscriptions that you forget to cancel? You ain't seen nothin' yet! First, it was monthly subscriptions to software, games, movies, (porn, for some of you!) and music. Well, now it's cars. Uh oh, what could go wrong? PJ and Dr Bruce take a look at what a car subscription is, why it's coming to a garage near you, and how manufacturers will get whacky and creative with the monetization strategies and in-car services powering our beloved ‘appliances on wheels.’ Upgrade to heated seats? Well sure, but winter surcharges apply. Fremium, anyone?

When we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#12 - Come Fly Away On a Battery-Powered Boeing!

Tue, 09 May 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Dr Bruce goes ga-ga over battery-powered airplanes – yes, they are very real right now! So you thought Electric Vehicles were cool - sit back, tray table up, and relax as we explore battery-powered aircraft, how they might help save the world, and the new meaning of "range anxiety" at 30,000 feet. Imagine flying with no noise but the wind on the wings that keep you up. Peaceful? PJ's definitely not sure. See what you think as you hear the facts plus a few nightmare travel stories to boot. Tea? Coffee? Thank you for flying "Is The World F*cked Airlines." (Mmmm, maybe not be the ideal aviation brand - battery-powered or not). Brace-position!

Want to know more, check out this story on Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/how-far-can-you-fly-a-battery-powered-jumbo-jet/

Alice, the World’s First All-Electric Passenger Jet, Just Aced Her Maiden Flight in the USA
https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/a41453056/eviation-electric-aircraft/

When we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#11 - The Deepfakes Are Here! The Deepfakes Are Here!

Tue, 02 May 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Welcome to "The Deepfake Zone" with Dr Bruce and PJ ... or so you think! We're diving headfirst into the terrifying world of deepfake technology and how it's already changed your life forever. You just don't realise it ... or do you?

It's a wild ride as Dr. Bruce outlines the frightening scenarios that take PJ from seeing it as a laugh, full of celebrity face-swaps and prank calls, to potentially the most dangerous new technology out there. Can you trust any call, voicemail, or video again? Will it send us back to the dark ages? Buckle up, hug a friend, make sure they're real, and get ready to question every digital encounter you have. This one's a warning to all. Trust us ... Or not!

Note: Less than a week after we recorded this episode in April 2023, it was announced that the 'Godfather of A.I.’ Geoffrey Hinton, left Google to be able to speak out and warn of the danger of AI. His immediate concern? That AI will flood the internet with so many false photos, videos, and text, that the average person will “not be able to know what is true anymore.” Read more at the link below:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/technology/ai-google-chatbot-engineer-quits-hinton.html

When we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#10 - Wanna Live Another 50 Years?

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Psst, wanna live another fifty years? Wanna smooth out those wrinkles? There’s a new industry out there that promises to do both. PJ and Dr Bruce poke fun at the charlatans and snake-oil salesman while smoking out the mind-blowing therapies which really are coming our way (message to industry: we’ll settle for a reversal of male pattern baldness). How far will you wind back your clock?

When we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#9 - Does Recycling Need a Reboot?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +1000

If recycling is so good and important, why do we do it so badly? We dumpster-dive into the disappointments and try to dig out a few kernels of hope for the future.

When we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#8 - Turning Babies Into X-Men

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Now we have a new fun toy -- the ability to edit the DNA in ALL forms of life. Will we modify crops to feed the starving, make franken-puppies, or do that "designer baby" thing and give our kids superpowers? Can we resist the temptations? Oh boy, you thought AI was big ... This is BIG!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#7 - Gen X Stole My House

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Is housing affordability f*cked - especially for the younger generations? Ask PJ (a Gen-Xer by the way) and then stand back for the answer. This is his passion-project: the right to own the roof over your head, and live "an adult life" unbeholden to real estate mongrels... um.. moguls.

Leave housing for people who live in houses - all of them.

Well, that's where we start. Then we spice it up with wealth-distribution, social engineering, corrputed tax policies, lazy economists, happiness indexes, depopulation and a dose of class warfare. If you had any doubts about our podcast being unscripted, this episode will dispel them!

Eat the rich, anybody? Let's find out!

PS: I have a feeling there'll be more conversation on this one. So listen to this and get in at the ground level now to follow our housing affordability journey - that PJ believes is f*cked in most places.. and wants to change. Starting today! :)

Check out the report that PJ quotes: Demographia International Housing Affordability report for 2023

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#6 - Can Solar Unf*ck Us?

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Bruce tries to inject a dose of positivity after our climate-change wrist-slasher in episode 3 by looking at how far we can go with solar if we really try. But are we installing it fast enough? And why is the gas man knocking on PJ's door at the exact moment we're criticising his product? True story. So slap on the sunscreen, slip on your shades, and let's find out!

Want to dig deeper? Bruce quotes insights from some of the leaders in the field, including from his one-on-one interview with Scientia Professor Martin Green from the University of NSW that you can listen to here, and see more here on Bruce's website.

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#5 - Putting the AI Genie Back in the Bottle

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +1000

Some bigwigs put out a letter calling for a 6-month moratorium on AI development, so we had to ask: is Bill Gates smoking what Elon smokes? And what genie would Dr Bruce rather have stuffed back in that bottle? Hint: it has to do with cringey celebrity endorsements, outrageous rip-off schemes and a planet-burning waste of electricity :-)

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#4 - Disappearing Up Your Own Metaverse

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 01:00:00 +1100

Will augmented reality, virtual reality and "meta" (whatever that means) suck us into a blue-pill hellscape of immersive advertising and haptic-assisted porn? And what about bringing back dead people? Strap on your goggles for this one!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#3 - Climate Weirdness and Vacuum Cleaning the Sky

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +1100

You knew we'd go there. That's right, we're tackling the biggest and baddest issue there is. And things get weird (oh my God, is PJ a climate sceptic or is he yanking my chain? Lucky we're mates!). We get real about what's going on, how fast things are moving, and what we can do from here, including crazy sh*t like sucking carbon back out of the sky. This one's a roller coaster, so strap in!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#2 - Smiley Robots That Kill You

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +1100

The robots are coming, the robots are coming! And PJ doesn't like it when they have arms and legs. It's weird. But we're going MUCH further in this episode than how they look (although you'll be amazed how they look). What happens when your tin-plated buddy is conscious and charming and carries a gun? Or have we got it all wrong and robots are here to save us?

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!

#1 - AI Sex and the Jobs Apocalypse

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:00:00 +1100

It's episode 1 baby, and we're diving right in. You thought ChatGPT was a head spin? You ain't seen nothin' yet! Today we're having a laugh tackling some of the things about AI that we really love, and really hate, and trying to decide if it's going to save us or screw us. Enjoy!

And for the record, when we're doing real work and not podcasting, you'll find Dr Bruce, The Global Futurist presenting here and PJ applying his digital marketing genius here. Enjoy!