The Coronavirus Effect

Samuel Webster Harris

This show was launched at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. We discussed the unprecedented changes caused by the coronavirus with various thought leaders and industry insiders. The show helped us understand and navigate the changes going on around us. These are all key elements for the direction of my new show - "How to Change the World" - The history and future of Innovation. On my new show I tell the chronological history of innovation: The world's greatest technology breakthroughs and their innovators.The frameworks, mental models and forces that create global disruption. If you want to journey through the creation of our modern society from tree dwelling apes to technology wielding sapiens, you can find the new show wherever you get your podcasts. Out now: Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠Apple - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - ⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠ HOST The host Samuel Webster Harris is a UK-born Biologist, Psychologist and entrepreneur. He is not related to the US-based philosopher Samuel Benjamin Harris and does not claim to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Humanity's First Invention that Changed our Species and the World - The Story of Fire

    AUG 25

    Humanity's First Invention that Changed our Species and the World - The Story of Fire

    How humans stopped relying on evolution and became the controllers of their own destiny. In this episode of 'How to Change the World,' Sam Webster Harris discusses the profound impact of fire on the evolution and societal development of humanity. From transforming our bodies and brains to influencing gender roles and social structures, fire has fundamentally reshaped our way of life. Harris delves into the historical, biological, and cultural significance of fire, exploring how it has served as a tool for cooking, safety, and community building. Tune in to discover how fire drove early human innovations and set the stage for future technological advancements. --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com ------- As we peer into the future, sometimes the best strategy is to look back into the past. The further and deeper we look, the more comprehensive our understanding of how technology and invention can shape the future. The world's greatest minds didn't just innovate by accident. They studied the great thinkers before them and built upon their work. If you want to achieve greatness or understand what's going on around us, this podcast is your guide. Chapters 00:00Introduction: Who is in control 03:51 The Role of Fire in Civilization 04:31 Fire's Impact on Predators and Prey 06:36 First Fire - 500 million years ago 10:00 Humans and fire - ~2 million years ago 12:12 The Discovery of Fire 13:44 When did we discover Fire 14:25 Stadium of Grandmothers 15:28 Fire's Influence on Human Biology 17:59 Fire and Human Digestion 20:18 Light and Campfires 22:27 Mealtimes 23:35 Fire's Role in Human Birth and Survival 25:26 Why Only Humans Mastered Fire 27:57 Fire, Social Structures & Gender Roles 29:00 Wrap up and subscribe to How to Change the World Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  2. How to Rank the Impact of an Innovation

    JUL 28

    How to Rank the Impact of an Innovation

    Is Brexit more important than Bitcoin? How do we rank Buddhism vs TikTok? The world changes, technology advances, but what really matters and how much? Sam explains the Innovation Richter Scale, a framework for understanding impact at every level of technology and what it means to society. --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com ------- As we peer into the future, sometimes the best strategy is to look back into the past. The further and deeper we look, the more comprehensive our understanding of how technology and invention can shape the future. The world's greatest minds didn't just innovate by accident. They studied the great thinkers before them and built upon their work. If you want to achieve greatness or understand what's going on around us, this podcast is your guide. Chapters 00:00 Innovation Richter Scale 01:47 Why create a Scale? 04:32 Earthquake Metaphor 06:54 Invention, Innovation, Technology 06:54 Ranking Magnitude not Morality 08:01 The Innovation Richter Scale - Level 1 - 10 08:04 Level 1 - Shower thoughts 08:23 Level 2 - Actioned Idea (In private) 08:42 Level 3 - Public ideas (Not popular) 10:10 Level 4 - Popular and commercial ideas 11:01 Level 5 - Defining Brand 12:31 Level 6 - Innovation of the year 15:53 Level 7 - Innovation of the Decade 18:12 Level 8 - Innovation of the Century 21:22 Level 9 - Innovation of the Era 23:46 Level 10 - Species Epoch 28:24 Wrap up + Where to find part 2! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  3. What Blocks Human Innovation and Progress?

    JUL 15

    What Blocks Human Innovation and Progress?

    Timeless lessons from the Stone Age and how to build innovation into our systems and solve global problems. For 97% of human history, we barely had any technology. Innovation moved at a snail's pace because of 5 invisible forces shaping our world. Learn about how these forces still exist and what really drives world change --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com ------- As we peer into the future, sometimes the best strategy is to look back into the past. The further and deeper we look, the more comprehensive our understanding of how technology and invention can shape the future. The world's greatest minds didn't just innovate by accident. They studied the great thinkers before them and built upon their work. If you want to achieve greatness or understand whats going on around us this podcast is your guide. Chapters 00:00 Coronavirus Effect - HTCW - 002 - 2 of 5 locks 01:52 The Hand Axe Conundrum 03:45 Episode Goals 05:01 #1 - SURVIVAL 05:40 Energy requirements 07:49 Time Scarcity 10:18 Risk and Psychological Safety 12:37 #2 - CULTURE 13:57 Culture in New Guinea 14:56 Results of trying ideas 16:41 The Grandmother Hypothesis 17:37 Widowhood statistics 19:02 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing 20:43 Catalhayuk - 1000 years of stasis 21:53 Wrap up and where to find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  4. A New Approach To Understanding How to Change The World

    JUN 30

    A New Approach To Understanding How to Change The World

    As we peer into the future, sometimes the best strategy is to look back into the past. The further and deeper we look, the more comprehensive our understanding of how technology and invention can shape the future. --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com ------- This episode covers the premise of the show. How it will work, why you should listen, and some timeless lessons on psychology and innovation. The world's greatest minds didn't just innovate by accident. They studied the great thinkers before them and built upon their work. If you want to achieve greatness or understand whats going on around us this podcast is your guide. Chapters 00:00 Coronavirus effect - HTCW 001 - Promo 01:09 Introduction: The Dawn of Human Influence 03:31 A Journey Through Time: 10 years ago 03:52 A Century Back: The 1920s 04:19 A Millennium Ago: Medieval Times 04:40 10,000 Years Ago: The Agricultural Revolution 05:08 100,000 Years Ago: Early Human Innovation 05:21 A Million Years Ago: The First Pioneers 06:03 The Epic of Human Potential 06:20 The Plan for the Podcast 08:17 What counts as an innovation 09:40 Release Schedule 10:50 Beyond a history podcast 12:03 Why this point in history 13:43 A map is not a blueprint 15:34 Why am I doing this? 18:44 Why should you listen? 19:54 Psychology and Innovation 20:25 Bias and Hindsight 21:02 Illusion of obviousness 21:59 The Myth of Stability 23:07 Mission and sign off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  5. 9. National Care Force

    05/21/2020

    9. National Care Force

    Charles ArmitageCharles Armitage is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Florence. Florence is a marketplace that connects care homes to nurses and care workers looking for extra shifts. Having started his career in the NHS, Charles entered the world of tech to help tackle some of the failures he witnessed. Charles loves sharing lessons from the frontline of building a platform business. DiscussionOther than Florence, Charles and his partners developed National Care Force - a nationwide network of care providers, healthcare workers and volunteers, ready to support our social care services in looking after the most vulnerable members of society With the covid-19 still looming, more and more citizens are greatly affected . In need of help and support, Florence and National Care Force is a response to the crisis with a commitment of helping care workers, health workers and volunteers reach out to vulnerable locals who depend on vital services. Charles encourages people to sign up on their platforms and reach out to those in their community who are in need due to coronavirus. Take HomesPeople are resilientResilience is defined as the ability – and tendency – to “bounce back.” The goal of resilience is to thrive in a highly stressful situation or crisis. People who are more resilient are capable of adapting to adversity. People who are resilient tends to be more aware of situations, their own emotional reactions and the behavior of those around them. In order to manage feelings, it is essential to understand what is causing them and why. By remaining aware, resilient people can maintain control of a situation and think of new ways to tackle problems. Technology connects us togetherTechnology helps us connect beyond the social media aspect. With Florence and National Care Force, these platforms makes reaching out to health care more convenient. It’s often said that technology drives us apart, but the reality is, technology has been keeping us all connected. With the recent crisis affecting our day-to-day activities, technology has been providing the solutions that allows us to live our "normal" lives. --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  6. 8. The Care Industry

    05/08/2020

    8. The Care Industry

    James Townsend, the co-founder of Mobilise, is on a mission to transform the way the UK's growing number of informal carers access support. James has over ten years of experience setting up and leading socially impactful organisations. He was formerly Teach First President, and set up the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership, facilitating 135,000 teachers, leaders and support staff into a learning community. DiscussionIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mobilise is an online platform where carers can meet for a chat over a “virtual cuppa” and access vital information about the outbreak from their homes. A number of unpaid carers are finding emotional support through the lockdown period by joining a new virtual community. At a time when we’re all worried about health, caring for someone you love is extremely stressful. James mentioned that he wants carers to know there is an online community available for them. It has undoubtedly become a time where caring is very important. With Mobilise, they make sure nobody has to learn how to be a carer on their own and gets the needed support to be a carer. Take HomesSupport those who provide supportIt can be hard to know what to do when supporting someone, especially in the current situation we are facing. Giving and receiving support from others is a basic human need. The goal of social support is to decrease stress. If you are looking to decrease stress by developing a support network, start with people who understands where you're coming from. Support comes in many forms, and it is helpful to have a variety of different resources to lean on. Helpful tips 1 Evaluate who may be helpful. 2 Join a book club. 3 Be willing to ask for help. 4 Let important people in your life know that you appreciate them. --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  7. 7. Where Is Technology Heading

    04/26/2020

    7. Where Is Technology Heading

    Eamonn Carey is the Managing Director of Techstars London. He's been an entrepreneur for most of his adult life - starting several companies in Europe and the Middle East - two successfully, others, less so. He's been an active angel investor in Europe, the US and Asia for the last five years - investing in everything from AI to food tech and from messaging to co-working spaces. He ran the Techstars Connection program in New York, works with the Zeroth AI accelerator in Hong Kong and sits on several boards - including Lingvist, Paranoid Fan, and Motivii. DiscussionWe cover the way the landscape has changed for investors, technology and entrepreneurs. With radical shifts in how we live there is a lot of current change but also a lot of things that will stay different after this. Eamonn explains the opportunities that are available for those willing to adapt quickly and how entrepreneurs can build new businesses that benefit the world. We outline the problems caused by uncertainty and how to deal with fear and act rationally. Take HomesAccept the Idea of ChangeChange is inevitable not only in life but in business too. As long as the people and the technology are progressing, so should the businesses around them. Businesses have to improve and develop new ideas that can be incorporated with their plan. They have to have a bird’s view of their business to understand what is going to happen next. This approach will help change the route in the shortest time if there is any unplanned change. Everybody should embrace change in their organization. If not, there will be a negative implication. Businesses that do not adapt to their environment tend to slow down and ultimately die or shutdown. Covenience is BoomingWith the impact of covid-19, “convenience” has taken on a whole new meaning. Companies offering convenience are taking over. This revolution is affecting all kinds of industries – not just retail – as some companies are developing new ways of doing business that make life easier for the customer. It is clear, no organization is free from the push toward higher convenience. Time to become ‘fast’ and ‘easy’! --- If you enjoy the episode and want more, Sam has launched his new show - "How to Change the World: The History of Innovation". Chronologically studying every world-changing event in order and how they build upon themselves up to today. Available on all podcast players: SPOTIFY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more - www.changetheworldpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
3.5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

This show was launched at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. We discussed the unprecedented changes caused by the coronavirus with various thought leaders and industry insiders. The show helped us understand and navigate the changes going on around us. These are all key elements for the direction of my new show - "How to Change the World" - The history and future of Innovation. On my new show I tell the chronological history of innovation: The world's greatest technology breakthroughs and their innovators.The frameworks, mental models and forces that create global disruption. If you want to journey through the creation of our modern society from tree dwelling apes to technology wielding sapiens, you can find the new show wherever you get your podcasts. Out now: Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠Apple - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - ⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠ HOST The host Samuel Webster Harris is a UK-born Biologist, Psychologist and entrepreneur. He is not related to the US-based philosopher Samuel Benjamin Harris and does not claim to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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