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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28:39
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
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29:10
Forgetting, not memory, moves us forward
Forgetting is the only safe response to the world's problems, from a geopolitical perspective, according to author and journalist David Rieff. Sometimes it’s too dangerous to remember. And forgetting is also a good thing in your personal life, say scientists. It moves us forward. The science of memory is giving way to the science of forgetting. Forgetting used to be seen as a failure of the brain, but new research suggests it’s a crucial part of the way our minds function. Original broadcast on March 27, 2022GuestsDr Scott Small – Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Columbia UniversityDr Oliver Hardt - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, McGill University (Canada) David Rieff – writer and journalistFurther informationScott Small – Forgetting: The Benefits of Not RememberingDavid Rieff – In Praise of Forgetting
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28:38
Bitcoin boom or digital deception?
Donald Trump is establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He wants it to rival the country's stockpile of gold. He boasts America will one day be the "Bitcoin superpower of the world", but what's his end game and what will it mean for future global finance? Questions are already being asked about why he's chosen to largely deregulate the cryptocurrency sector and whether his family's personal crypto interests are now driving US policy.GuestsAssociate Professor Larisa Yarovaya — Director of the Centre for Digital Finance, University of SouthamptonProfessor Robert Elliott — Professor of Economics, University of BirminghamDr John Hawkins — senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of CanberraMaximilian Brichta — Communications, University of Southern California
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28:38
Can the oceans solve our carbon removal problems?
There's been growing research and investment in projects that use the oceans to artificially remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such techniques involve both a biological and a chemical approach.To date, carbon removal technologies have been largely land-based, using giant air-purification machines, or planting trees to consume and store carbon. Those efforts have struggled to gain scale and acceptance. So, will a marine-based approach make any difference? It's a controversial idea and not without its difficulties.GuestsBrad Ack — CEO, Ocean VisionsJames Kerry — Senior Marine and Climate Scientist, OceanCare; Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at James Cook UniversityRomany Webb — Deputy Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law SchoolRachel Rose Jackson — Climate Campaign Director, Corporate Accountability
UK