The Cynic and The Optimist Alex and Muna

Episode 28: What is the future of the human race? Does it even have one? Alex and Muna discuss the threats of nuclear war (past and present), climate change, AIDS, the power of fear and how it's used by media and politicians to give us a sense of impending doom, the almost-inevitable (to Alex) AI takeover, viruses in brain chips, overpopulation, declining sperm counts and a new perspective on Darwin's theory of evolution. Muna counters the gloom with some positive stories from around the world and a large dollop of empathy.

Episode 27: What and where is home? Why do some of us feel the urge to travel and live in other countries, or escape the city for the countryside? Conveniently, the German language has words for these drives but Muna and Alex discuss them in English. Anti-homesickness, travel, the difference between expats and immigrants (if there is one), wanderlust, forced hugging, farming in New Zealand, what expats miss out on, and how hard it is to ever go back. Plus Roger Whittaker and the country in which you have to wear make-up to put out the recycling.

Episode 26: Whistleblowers are people who reveal company or state secrets for the "greater good." However, sometimes the actions of whistleblowers can have unintended consequences, for society and for themselves. Here we discuss Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, the limits of secrecy contracts, the brief attention span of the general public, international spying, the changing behaviour of corporations as a result of whistleblowing, peaceful and violent protest, the magical 3.5 percent and, of course, power and money. Join us and listen to the two poles of discernment.

Episode 25: A deathly special for Hallowe'en! Half an hour of conversation on the topic of death, reincarnation, the meaning of existence (or lack thereof), cosmology, higher beings and a pregnant pope. With a spooky cackle from Muna, Alex's unconventional method of determining how his remains will be processed, and the almost obligatory mention of Muna's cottage-in-the-woods granny.

Episode 24: What is the metaverse? Or should that be: what are the metaverses? Web 3.0, immersive VR, massive online worlds, gamification, augmented reality or all of the above? But how does this affect the way we interact as people, and are such virtual worlds good for us as individuals and society? Muna and Alex don't necessarily think so. Join us for a critical look at metaverses in particular, simulations in general (including, possibly, our own) and much more. Topic suggested by Colin Green from Australia - thanks!

Episode 23: Online dating services and apps have changed romantic and sexual relationships completely - but for better or for worse? Muna and Alex discuss the changes that have occurred in the past decade or so, what the algorithms behind the apps might be doing, how (or if) the path of the human race is changing as a result, and what's likely to happen in the future. With honorable mentions of Incels, harems and the gamification of sexual and romantic attraction.