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What are the big ideas shaping our world now?Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Big ideas shaping the world • Pandemics • Science • Psychology • Economics • Technology • Philosophy • Society • Social issues • Neuroscience • Human behaviorThe podcast "The Big Idea" delves into the significant concepts and pressing issues shaping contemporary society through conversations with leading experts across diverse fields such as economics, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and anthropology. The show, hosted by David Edmonds, explores a range of topics that include health, society, technology, and human behavior.
A recurring theme is the examination of societal challenges like pandemics, addiction, and social inequality. The podcast scrutinizes how these issues are interconnected with human psychology and the broader sociopolitical landscape. Discussions often focus on how societal norms are transforming, such as the normalization of previously uncommon behaviors or the dynamics of living in cities.
Another focal area is the interplay between technology and modern life, tackling questions about artificial intelligence, future job landscapes, and the potential implications of super-intelligent machines. Additionally, the podcast addresses the ways in which technology affects human values and emotions, including discussions about digital trust and social media dynamics.
Deep dives into philosophical and scientific explorations are common, featuring topics like consciousness, sleep, laughter, and the nature of intelligence, not just in humans but in trees as well. The podcast frequently considers the implications of these topics for the future, probing the evolution of human understanding and societal adaptation.
Overall, "The Big Idea" serves as an intellectual exploration of the defining ideas affecting how we perceive and interact with the world, encouraging listeners to reflect on the foundational questions of existence and the factors that drive both individual and collective progress.
| Episodes: |
Fighting pandemics2020-Dec-19 11 minutes |
The science of addiction2020-Dec-12 11 minutes |
The new normal2020-Dec-05 11 minutes |
Do cities need rules?2020-Nov-28 9 minutes |
The science of sleep2020-Nov-21 14 minutes |
The importance of fairness2020-Nov-14 12 minutes |
How do we spot rogue cops?2020-Nov-07 11 minutes |
Understanding emotions: Should we follow our hearts?2020-Oct-31 12 minutes |
Ubernomics2020-Oct-24 15 minutes |
Why living in the city could make you happier2020-Oct-17 13 minutes |
Why do we find things disgusting?2020-Oct-10 13 minutes |
The fragility of choice2020-Oct-03 9 minutes |
The truth about marriage2020-Sep-26 10 minutes |
How to topple a dictator2020-Sep-19 9 minutes |
Why do we laugh?2020-Sep-12 10 minutes |
The Afterlife2018-Sep-23 9 minutes |
Why Are Some Nations Rich?2018-Sep-16 9 minutes |
How does language work?2018-Sep-09 10 minutes |
A Future Without Doctors?2018-Sep-02 8 minutes |
The Intelligent Tree2018-Aug-26 9 minutes |
Consciousness: A Strange Theory2018-Aug-19 10 minutes |
The Teenage Brain2018-Aug-12 10 minutes |
How To Stop Murder2018-Aug-05 9 minutes |
Democracy and Famine2018-Jul-29 9 minutes |
Dimensions of Discrimination2018-Jul-22 11 minutes |
Inequality Makes Us Anxious2018-Jul-15 10 minutes |
Are We All Racist?2018-Jul-08 11 minutes |
The New Distrust2018-Jul-01 10 minutes |
Contact Theory2018-Jun-24 9 minutes |
Economics and Mosquito Nets2018-Jun-17 10 minutes |
Memory Wars2018-Jun-10 10 minutes |
A World Without Livestock?2018-Jun-03 9 minutes |
Outrage and Moral Conscience2018-May-27 9 minutes |
Friends2018-May-20 9 minutes |
Baby Boffins2018-May-19 9 minutes |
Super-Intelligence2018-May-17 9 minutes |
Social Physics2018-May-16 9 minutes |
The Growth Mindset2018-May-15 9 minutes |
Epigenetics2018-May-14 9 minutes |
Future Gazing2018-May-13 9 minutes |
Monkey Money2018-May-12 10 minutes |
The Big Preview: The Big Idea2018-May-11 2 minutes |