Ep 95: Peter Ward On The Evolution Of Life
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Release Date: 05/08/2025
Ep 96: Deogratias Niyizonkiza, Healing a Nation, One Village at a Time
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Episode 96 of Brave New World features Deogratias Niyizonkiza in conversation with Vasant Dhar. From surviving the genocide in Burundi to rebuilding lives through healthcare and education, Deo’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience and purpose. Useful Resources:1. , Founder and CEO, . 2. - Tracy Kidder. 3. , Burundian Prince and Politician.4. , and , Ethnic Groups In Burundi. 5. . 6. Rwanda . 7. - Chinua Achebe. 8. . Check out on Substack. The subscription is free! Pre-order - Vasant Dhar.
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Ep 95: Peter Ward On The Evolution Of Life
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
In Episode 95 of Brave New World, Palaeontologist Peter Ward returns to explore life's evolutionary journey and examine compelling possibilities for its future direction. Useful Resources: 1. Peter Ward on and . 2. . 3. – Stephen Jay Gould. 4. . 5. . 6. . 7. – Nick Lane. 8. – Nick Lane. 9. David Catling on and the . 10. . 11. . 12. . 13. . 14. . 15. – Episode 77 Of Brave New World. 16. and . 17. . 18. – Peter Ward. 19. - Dougal Dixon. 20. with Alexis Rockman 21. – Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee. 22. – Episode 85 of Brave New World. 23. . 24. , . 25. . 26. ...
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Ep 94: Anil Seth On The Science of Consciousness
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Neuroscientist Anil Seth explores how the brain constructs our sense of self and reality in Episode 94 of Brave New World with Vasant Dhar, offering insights on the boundary between perception and consciousness. Useful Resources: 1. 2. – Anil Seth. 3. – Anil Seth. 4. 5. and Unconscious . 6. . 7. – Anil Seth. 8. . 9. – Steven Pinker. 10. . 11. . 12. and . 13. . 14. , Moderated By . 15. and the . 16. – Episode 77 Of Brave New World. 17. – RK Narayan. 18. – Episode 80 Of Brave New World. 19. 20. . 21. Robert Sapolsky on . 20. . 21. . 22. . 23. . 24. . Check out on...
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Ep 93: Uma Valeti on Cultivating Meat
Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
How do we get meat that is more nutritious, sustainable, and less cruel to animals? Dr Uma Valeti, a cardiologist turned CEO of Upside Foods, joins Vasant Dhar in episode 93 of Brave New World to discuss the future of cultivated meat. Useful Resources: 1. 2. - Paul Shapiro. 3. ‘ - Peter Singer. 4. 5. – Episode 44 of Brave New World. 6. – Episode 74 of Brave New World. 7. – Episode 54 of Brave New World. 8. , , and 9. , and 10. 11. . 12. . Check out on Substack. Subscription is free!
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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. ....
info_outlineIn Episode 95 of Brave New World, Palaeontologist Peter Ward returns to explore life's evolutionary journey and examine compelling possibilities for its future direction.
Useful Resources:
1. Peter Ward on Wikipedia and The University Of Washington.
2. Stephen Jay Gould.
3. Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and Nature Of History – Stephen Jay Gould.
4. Cambrian Explosion.
5. Burgess Shale.
6. Nick Lane.
7. Oxygen: The Molecule That Made The World – Nick Lane.
8. Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution – Nick Lane.
9. David Catling on Wikipedia and the University Of Washington.
10. Eukaryote.
11. Lynn Margulis.
12. Carl Sagan.
13. Chemoreceptors.
14. My Octopus Teacher.
15. Pippa Ehrlich On The Mysteries of The Sea – Episode 77 Of Brave New World.
16. Methuselah Foundation and Methuselah Mice.
17. CRISPR.
18. Future Evolution – Peter Ward.
19. After Man: A Zoology Of The Future - Dougal Dixon.
20. Future Evolution with Alexis Rockman
21. Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe – Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee.
22. Seth Shostak on Extraterrestrial Life – Episode 85 of Brave New World.
23. Drake Equation.
24. Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act.
25. Daniel J. Evans.
26. David Battisti
27. Edward O. Wilson
28. Biophilia – Edward O. Wilson
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