Future Tense

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  • 4.4 (61)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Future Tense

A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

  1. 3H AGO

    Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma

    South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could prove invaluable for other regional neighbours in responding to future economic and military aggression. Journalist Matt Smith has this special report… Guests Dr Troy Lee Brown — Research Fellow, Defense and Security Institute, University of Western Australia Professor Bec Strating — Director, La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University Dr Mike Bosack — Special Advisor for Government Relations, Yokosuka Council for Asia-Pacific Studies Dongkeun Lee — Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network Dr Duyeon Kim — Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security

    29 min

  2. JUL 10

    A turning point for the United Nations

    Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched a major internal reform programme, but there are questions about whether his approach will rescue the global body or just cause further damage. Guests Associate Professor Chris Ogden — Director of Global Studies, University of Auckland Eugene Chen — Senior Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University Richard Gowan — Director of UN Affairs, International Crisis Group Roland Rich — former Australian ambassador. Director of the United Nations and Global Policy Master of Arts program, Rutgers University

    29 min

  3. JUL 3

    The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life"

    Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if the cells can't be controlled. And that's prompted calls for a moratorium on the research. Guests Associate Professor Kate Adamala — Synthetic biologist and professor of genetics, University of Minnesota Professor Andrew Ellington — Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin Professor Heather Douglas — Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University Ajay Kshatriya — CEO Aizen Therapeutics

    29 min

  4. JUN 26

    The world after us!

    What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many predict? Guests Professor Sarah Gabbott — Paleobiologist, University of Leicester Joanna Thompson — Freelance science journalist based in New York Dr Christen Cornell — Research Fellow and Manager of Research Partnerships, Creative Australia Musical artists heard in this episode - Jim Beavis, The RandomiZZZed Experience Further information Listening In Research series

    29 min

  5. JUN 19

    How to start your own golden age

    History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg — author and historian. Senior Fellow, Cato institute in Washington DC Associate Professor Sarah Percy — Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland Dr James Banner — Historian and co-founder of the National Humanities Alliance

    29 min

  6. JUN 12

    Australia and Canada — Strategic partners, but near total strangers?

    Australia and Canada share much in common, politically, historically and socially. Why then do we know so little about each other? In a time of global uncertainty does it make sense for Canada and Australia to build a closer bond? If the two prosperous liberal middle powers worked together more closely, could they be a greater force for positive change in the world? Guests Dr Andrew Lilco — Economist and Executive Director and Principal, Europe Economics N. Leo Crabe — lecturer and independent researcher. Formerly with the Canadian High Commission in Canberra Wesley Nicol — The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University (Canada) Emeritus Professor Roy Green — Special Innovation Advisor, University of Technology Sydney Norman Hermant — Social Affairs Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

    29 min

  7. JUN 5

    Reassessing the laws of war; and why progress isn't always a straight line

    The International commitment to ban landmines is wavering. Several European countries are reversing their opposition to using them. The shift comes as disarmament negotiators struggle to regulate the spread of "killer robots" — AI-controlled autonomous weapons. So, is the future of weapons containment and control under threat? And are treaties signed in peace always likely to be vulnerable during times of war? Guests Professor Sean Watts — Co-director of the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare, West Point Dr Barry de Vries — Research fellow, Public International Law, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany) Professor Lee Funnell — University of Chicago Law School Professor Lee Fennell — University of Chicago Law School

    29 min

  8. MAY 29

    Beyond the cloud — storing data in space

    Researchers and corporations are already working to relocate data servers beyond the Earth's atmosphere — on satellites. Data servers are essential to the functioning of the modern world, but they're both power and water hungry. When they're built, they often meet with community concern and environmental protest. So, why not build data centres in space where solar energy is abundant? What could possibly go wrong? Finally, we discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the way we write by providing tools for editing, improving clarity, and suggesting new ideas. Guests Dr Domenico Vicinanza — Associate Professor of Intelligent Systems and Data Science, Anglia Ruskin University Damien Dumestier — Space system architect, Thales Alenia Space Dr Steven Freeland — Emeritus Professor, Western Sydney University and Professorial Fellow, Bond University Dr Daniel Murphy — Program Lead, Aerosol Properties and Processes, NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US) Associate Professor Ritesh Chugh — Information and Communication Technologies, CQ University

    29 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.4
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC listen
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2025
  • Episodes
    546
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Future Tense

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