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?GuestsProfessor Sarah Gabbott — Paleobiologist, University of LeicesterJoanna Thompson — Freelance science journalist based in New YorkDr Christen Cornell — Research Fellow and Manager of Research Partnerships, Creative AustraliaFurther informationListening In Research series
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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.GuestsJohan Norberg — author and historian. Senior Fellow, Cato institute in Washington DCAssociate Professor Sarah Percy — Political Science and International Studies, University of QueenslandDr James Banner — Historian and co-founder of the National Humanities Alliance
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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?GuestsDr Andrew Lilco — Economist and Executive Director and Principal, Europe EconomicsN. Leo Crabe — lecturer and independent researcher. Formerly with the Canadian High Commission in CanberraWesley Nicol — The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University (Canada)Emeritus Professor Roy Green — Special Innovation Advisor, University of Technology SydneyNorman Hermant — Social Affairs Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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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?GuestsProfessor Sean Watts — Co-director of the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare, West PointDr Barry de Vries — Research fellow, Public International Law, Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany) Professor Lee Funnell — University of Chicago Law SchoolProfessor Lee Fennell — University of Chicago Law School
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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.GuestsDr Domenico Vicinanza — Associate Professor of Intelligent Systems and Data Science, Anglia Ruskin UniversityDamien Dumestier — Space system architect, Thales Alenia SpaceDr Steven Freeland — Emeritus Professor, Western Sydney University and Professorial Fellow, Bond UniversityDr 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
UK