Ep 76: Peter Ward on Life on Earth
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Release Date: 01/25/2024
Ep 92: Angela Hawken on Changing Government
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
All meaningful reform happens when there is one smooth pipeline from research to policy to execution. Angela Hawken joins Vasant Dhar in episode 92 of Brave New World to discuss her work as both a thinker in academia and a doer with government. Useful resources 1. . 2. Solly Angel's . 3. -- Angela Hawken and Mark Kleiman. 4. . 5. -- Constantine Kontokosta and Boyeong Hong. 6. . 7. . Check out on Substack. Subscription is free!
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Ep 91: Michael Levin on the New Frontiers of Biological Intelligence
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Memory, consciousness and the self aren't what you think they are. Michael Levin joins Vasant Dhar in episode 91 of Brave New World to explain why the distinction between machines and organisms will soon fall apart. Useful resources 1. Michael Levin at , , , and . 2. -- Joshua Bondard and Michael Levin. 3. -- Michael Levin. 4. -- Michael Levin. 5. -- Wesley Clawson and Michael Levin. 6. — Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed. 7. -- Episode 77 of Brave New World. 8. . 9. --...
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Ep 90: Sandeep Robert Datta on Smell and the Brain
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
We take it for granted -- but we shouldn't: smell is incredibly powerful and plays a critical role in our lives. Sandeep Robert Datta joins Vasant Dhar in episode 90 of Brave New World to discuss what neuroscience has taught him about the power of smell. Useful resources: 1. Sandeep Robert Datta at , , and . 2. -- Episode 81 of Brave New World. 3. -- Episode 62 of Brave New World. Check out on Substack. Subscription is free!
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Ep 89: Missy Cummings on Making AI Safe
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
There's always risk at the cutting edge of technology. Driverless cars are awesome -- but can we rely on the tech? Missy Cummings joins Vasant Dhar in episode 89 of Brave New World to share her insights on why we need to proceed with caution. Also check out: 1. Missy Cummings on , , and . 2. -- Justin Banner. 3. -- Henry Petroski. 4. -- Rachel Abrams & Annalyn Kurtz. Check out on Substack. Subscription is free!
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Ep 88: Raghu Sundaram on Building a Great University
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
He lifted The Stern School of Business up significantly in the rankings, and is now making NYU a major global player in higher education. Raghu Sundaram joins Vasant Dhar in episode 88 of Brave New World to share his learnings about higher education where so much is changing, and yet, some foundational truths persist. Useful resources: 1. Raghu Sundaram on , , and . 2. — Episode 15 of Brave New World. 3. — Episode 11 of Brave New World (w Michael S Roth). 4. — Caitlin Zaloom. 5. -- Episode...
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Ep 87: Andrew McAfee on the Geek Mindset
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
What does it mean to be geeky -- and how are geeks changing the world? Andrew McAfee joins Vasant Dhar in episode 87 of Brave New World to share his insights on how geeks have created a brave new innovation culture. Useful resources: 1. Andrew McAfee on , , , and . 2. -- Andrew McAfee. 3. -- Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee. 4. -- Walter Isaacson. 5. -- Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. 6. -- AnnaLee Saxenian. 7. -- AnnaLee Saxenian. 8. -- John Markoff. 9. ....
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Ep 86: Natalie Foster on the Guarantee
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Imagine an America where the government provides a floor for all our needs, from housing to health care to college to an income. Natalie Foster joins Vasant Dhar in episode 86 of Brave New World to argue that such a shift is possible -- and the time to make it is now. Useful resources: 1. Natalie Foster on , , , , and . 2. -- Natalie Foster. 3. . 4. and . 5. -- Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson. 6. — Episode 19 of Brave New World. 7. -- Episode 77 of Brave New World....
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Ep 85: Seth Shostak on Extraterrestrial Life
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Does life exist outside our planet? Are we alone in the universe? Seth Shostak joins Vasant Dhar in episode 85 of Brave New World to describe his search for the answers. Useful resources: 1. Seth Shostak at , , , and . 2. -- Jeffrey Bennett, Seth Shostak, Nicholas Schneider and Meredith MacGregor. 3. -- Seth Shostak. 4. -- Seth Shostak. 5. -- Thomas Kuhn. 6. -- Episode 76 of Brave New World. 7. -- Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee. 8. . 9. . 10. -- James Lovelock....
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Ep 84: Vlad Barbalat on Immigration, Insurance and America
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
He came to America as a ten-year old, and became invested in both the country and its world of finance. Vlad Barbalat joins Vasant Dhar in episode 84 of Brave New World to discuss his life and learnings. Useful resources: 1. Vlad Barbalat on and . 2. -- MK Gandhi. 3. -- Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. 4. -- Episode 11 of Brave New World (w Michael S Roth). Check out on Substack. Subscription is free!
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Ep 83: Shashi Verma on Transport in the 21st Century
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
He has been a driver of change at Transport for London, which has shown the way to the rest of the world. Shashi Verma joins Vasant Dhar in Episode 83 of Brave New World to share his learnings on urban transport -- and the governance structures that lead to the best results. Useful resources: 1. Shashi Verma on and . 2. — Episode 29 of Brave New World. 3. -- CD Foster and ME Beesley. 4. -- TV Barker and Michael Robbins. 5. -- Christian Wolmar. 6. -- Anthony J Venables. 7. --...
info_outlineLife on earth is a crazy accident. We have no idea how it arose or whether it will survive. Peter Ward joins Vasant Dhar in episode 76 of Brave New World to chat about the origins of our planet, the many extinctions and resurgences of life, and the future of our species.
2. Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe -- Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee.
3. A New History of Life -- Peter Ward and Joe Kirschvink.
4. The Medea Hypothesis -- Peter Ward.
5. The Flooded Earth -- Peter Ward.
6. Roy Chapman Andrews on Amazon.
7. Jason and the Golden Fleece -- Apollonius of Rhodes.
8. Hercules, My Shipmate -- Robert Graves.
9. The Gaia Hypothesis.
10. SETI Institute.
11. Rare Earth Hypothesis.
12. The Drake Equation.
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