Fw:Thinking

Will Earth Become Coruscant?

10 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In Star Wars, the capital of the empire is Coruscant, a planet covered by an enormous city. Is such a thing possible? And how crowded would a planet w...

The Megacity Era

08 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What are megacities? Why are they so difficult to define? We explore the future of cities with 10 million people or more in them. Learn more about yo...

NASA's Wild Aeronautics Ideas

03 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

NASA has given the thumbs up to six research projects that could revolutionize aeronautics. We look at each one and talk about what the results could ...

Anti-Pathogen Architecture

01 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that an airplane is really just a flying germ machine, right? And our office buildings can often seem like little more than disease incuba...

Thanks for the Memories

26 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How do memories work? Can technology read memories? Is a memory-detecting algorithm foolproof? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheart...

Setting Sail for the Stars

24 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is a solar sail and how does it work? We explain the technology and talk about current and future uses of solar sails. Learn more about your ad-...

Do Biofuels Make Sense?

19 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It sure would be great to not use fossil fuels but are biofuels the answer? We look at the complicated case for biofuels. Learn more about your ad-ch...

DARPA Robotics Challenge Results

17 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In early June, teams competed to control a robot that could respond to a simulated emergency situation. What did the robots have to do and who won? L...

The Future of Earthquakes

12 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Will we ever be able to predict earthquakes? If not, how can we better prepare for them? We delve into the past, present and future of seismic detecti...

The Future of Fashion

10 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class joins the podcast team to talk about futuristic fabrics, cutting-edge casual wear and th...

The Common Crawl

05 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The Web is an enormous treasure trove of data. But how can you find the information you're looking for? We explore web crawlers and big data. Learn m...

Robots Getting Social

03 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is social intelligence and can a robot possess it? We take a look at an emerging field of robotics and how challenging it is to make a machine th...

The Future of Advertising

29 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In the future, will advertising be everywhere? And will you mind? We look at how ads could evolve over the next few years. Learn more about your ad-c...

The Future of Fusion and Helium-3

27 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is helium-3 and what does it have to do with fusion? Will we turn the Moon into a giant helium-3 mine? Learn more about your ad-choices at https...

The Truth About Supervolcanoes

22 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a supervolcano so super? How likely is an eruption? And what would actually happen? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheart...

The Future of Radar

20 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Radar is a cool technology. We explain how it works and what radar has in store in the future! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheart...

What is the EmDrive?

15 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Could a high tech engine violate the laws of physics? What is a reactionless drive? We examine the claims and criticisms of the EmDrive. Learn more a...

Is the PowerWall a Wonder?

13 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is the Tesla Powerwall? Does it make sense for people to buy one? We take a look. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastn...

What's Up With DARPA?

08 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is DARPA all about? We take a look at some of the R&D projects overseen by the organization. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www...

Transplants of the Future

06 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A Russian man plans to be the world's first head transplant patient. Is such a thing possible? We look at the story and the future of transplants. Le...

The Future of Sound: Part Two

01 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In a continuation of our discussion about sound, we look at non-medical applications of sonic technology. From smartphone controls to levitation, we e...

The Future of Sound: Part One

29 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sound is pretty amazing. In this episode, we look at ways scientists, engineers and doctors will use sound in the future to transform our world. Lear...

Spot the Bot

24 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The flip side of artificial intelligence is that it will be harder for us to be sure the person we're talking to is actually a person. Are there trick...

Nuke-Mobile

22 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nuclear power is used for giant vehicles like aircraft carriers or stealthy ones like submarines, but why isn't it everywhere? Could you have a nuclea...

Vending Machines - Are They The Future?

17 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Prompted by a listener message, the crew takes a look at vending machines. Could it be that vending machines will take the place of brick and mortar s...

Editing Genes with CRISPR

15 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is the CRISPR technique? How might it revolutionize genetic alteration? And why are some scientists urging caution before it gets widely used? L...

Mind Control, Part 2

10 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for Mind Control: The Return to Mind Mountain. The podcast crew focuses on persuasive technology, environmental influences and moral enhance...

Mind Control, Part 1

08 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Mind control is a pervasive fear in dystopian science fiction. What is there to say about the real-life science of manipulating people's thoughts, emo...

Robot Avatars

03 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan, Joe and Lauren answer a listener mail request. Could we use robots as avatars while we explore distant locations, even across the galaxy? L...

The Singularity Has Arrived

01 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Last night, the Singularity arrived! Joe, Lauren and Jonathan talk about what we got right, what we got wrong and when to expect your next software pa...

Hello Barbie

27 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

There's a new Barbie doll coming out that has created a bit of a controversy. We talk about the Internet of Things, privacy and toys. Learn more abou...

5G and the Future of Mobile

25 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What's the future of wireless data? Will 5G leave everything else in the dust? And what do all those Gs mean? Learn more about your ad-choices at htt...

That's So Random (Number Generator)

20 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The team responds to a listener request and talks about random number generation. Why is it so hard? Could it be impossible? And what's in store for t...

The Dawn Mission

18 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What is NASA's Dawn mission all about? What are they learning from Vesta and Ceres? And could Ceres have habitable oceans? Learn more about your ad-c...

The Future of Artificial Light

13 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial light is one of the most fundamental of all human technologies. What will the future of light look like? Learn more about your ad-choices ...

Balloons in Space!

11 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Are balloons the next step in space tourism? We look at companies trying to get off the ground in the industry. And how high is space, anyway? Learn ...

The Future of Smells

06 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Vision and hearing get all the glory, but humans might be more controlled by our sense of smell than we realize. The podcasters examine some smelly sc...

What happens when a robot breaks the law?

05 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

As machine intelligence becomes more complex, our machines will increasingly behave in ways that surprise us. What happens when one of them does somet...

Big Data's Big Date with the Movies

27 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Will the movies of the future be built according to market research with big data? We look at how the movie industry relies on digital information. L...

Shkadov Thrusters: Moving the Solar System

25 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

One day in the far future, we may have to abandon our home and set out to colonize a new part of the galaxy. But is it possible to take the entire sol...

Venom Tech

20 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Venom is one of the most fascinating things in the animal kingdom. But what role does it play in contemporary and future medicine? Learn more about y...

Listener Mail Roundup #1

18 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How will we consume media in the future? Could we harness the Earth's core for energy? How do astronomers indicate celestial positions? The team answe...

The Future of Copyright and IP: Part 2

13 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

From Creative Commons to corporations' ownership of intellectual property, we conclude our discussions on the future of creativity, possession and the...

The Future of Copyright and IP: Part 1

11 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Where did the concept of copyright come from? Why does it last so long? We look at where copyright comes from in an effort to guess at where it's goin...

The HoloLens

06 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Will Microsoft's new augmented reality goggles change computing forever? We look at the HoloLens and why people are so excited about it. Learn more a...

Smart Homes

04 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What's the future of smart home technology? Will our houses take care of all our chores for us? And what are the downsides? Learn more about your ad-...

The Aliens Are Coming!

31 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How likely is an alien invasion in our future and what would our options be if it happened? We explore this science fiction idea and debate our best c...

The Future of the Bicycle

28 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Will future American city-dwellers live in Bike Heaven, or will the car remain king? The podcast crew addresses an excellent listener question about t...

Human-animal Hybrids

23 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have been investigating ways to mix human biology with that of other life forms. How far can we go? How far SHOULD we go? Learn more about...

Resolution in the New Year

21 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We're at the dawn of the 4K ultra-high-definition TV era. What does resolution really mean? And is there a limit? Learn more about your ad-choices at...

Back to Back to the Future II, Part Two

16 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The gang continues to discuss the tech seen in the future segment of Back to the Future II. Were they right on target or totally wrong? Learn more ab...

Back to Back to the Future II, Part One

15 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to go back in time to the future of the past! It's 2015, the year Marty McFly traveled forward to in Back to the Future II. How does it stac...

The Ruins of the Present

09 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we have the ruins of ancient Rome, Persia and Egypt. What will the remains of modern civilization look like when our present becomes ancient hi...

Tentacle Technology

07 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Animals like squid, octopuses and jellyfish use strange, fascinating limbs to interact with the world. How can we take inspiration from the natural de...

Here's Your Jetpack

02 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Where's my jetpack? Learn mor...

The Future of Programmable Matter

31 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wish you could copy, share and edit 3D objects like you can with a Google doc? We take a close look at several visions of programmable matter, in...

Could we make a real lightsaber?

26 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Is there any way we could create an actual working lightsaber? The podcast crew undergoes Jedi training to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices...

What's the Password?

24 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Passwords are a pain and they're edging towards becoming obsolete. What's next? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork....

Environmental Sensors in Space Travel

20 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In some science fiction universes, a quick scan from your EVA suit is all you need to determine if the planet you're visiting is safe. Can we do that ...

The Star Trek Economy

17 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In Star Trek, humans no longer use money. Is this really in our future? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee o...

The Orion Spacecraft

12 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Orion space vehicle recently passed a major flight test. How will Orion fit into NASA's plans for the future of space exploration? Learn more abo...

Will robots steal our jobs?

11 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Are robots going to take our jobs? Will we just get new jobs? And will it be a smooth transition? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihe...

Biobots

05 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Building robots is hard. What if we just created an army of cyborg cockroaches? Guess what? We are! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.i...

Self-Reconfiguring Modular Robots GO!

03 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could own a big robot made up of thousands of smaller robots, and it was able to change its shape in order to complete various tasks? Lea...

Can computers describe what they see?

28 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it so hard to teach a computer to understand complex scenes in pictures? We look at the problem and how computer scientists are solving it. Le...

How to Talk to Aliens

26 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

If we found intelligent alien life, how would we communicate with it? We explore the challenges of chatting with someone out of this world. Learn mor...

Space Travel and Synthetic Biology

21 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We can't carry everything we need for long space missions. Could synthetic biology help us produce stuff like biopolymers, drugs or even food? Learn ...

Sharing the Load

19 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Distributed computing not only helps researchers analyze data more efficiently, but also lets you take part in scientific research! We look at example...

More Mutants!

14 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We've looked at the original X-Men, but what about other mutants? From Wolverine to Magneto, we discuss which mutants have the most realistic powers. ...

How to Join the X-Men

12 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Could technology or genetic engineering give us powers similar to those possessed by the X-Men? We evaluate the starting lineup of Marvel's superhero ...

How to Catch a Time Traveler

07 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

If time travel is possible, then surely someone from the future has visited our present. How would we know it happened? Learn more about your ad-choi...

How to Find an Exoplanet

05 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have discovered hundreds of exoplanets. How do you detect something that far away? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartp...

Reanimating the Dead

31 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In the future, will we be able to reanimate the dead? Or is Frankenstein's monster doomed to be fictional forever? Learn more about your ad-choices a...

Monster Hunting

29 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Are there monsters in our future? Or have technology and science advanced to a point that we can dismiss them entirely? Learn more about your ad-choi...

Mars's MAVEN Mission

24 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What is MAVEN and what is it looking for? We take a close look at NASA's spacecraft and what it might tell us about the red planet. Learn more about ...

The Monsters of the Future: Part 2

22 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Guest Robert Lamb joins Joe and Lauren to talk a bit more about psychology, technology, our fears and what the monsters of our future will look like. ...

Looking Through Telescopes: Part 2

17 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What's in the future for telescopes? Fw:Thinking looks at some of the telescopes that will soon be searching the skies for signs of other planets, the...

Looking Through Telescopes: Part 1

15 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Fw:Thinking takes a long look at the history of the telescope and how facilities around the world (and in space) are getting a closer look at our univ...

The Monsters of the Future, Part 1

10 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Anxieties about technological trends have had a profound influence on the history of the horror genre and the creatures that populate it. In preparati...

Fw:Thinking Plays Ball

08 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Technology is changing the way we play and watch sports. From tracking a player's every move to keeping them safe during games, we explore sports tech...

I Know That Face

03 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Facial recognition technology is pretty incredible. But it's not infallible. We learn how it works and why it's a challenging AI problem. Learn more ...

Is the Future Invisible?

01 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Invisibility cloaks - are they just an element in fiction and folklore or will they become a reality? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www...

Gravitational Waves and Space Dust

26 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A news story from March 2014 needs an update -- could space dust invalidate the discovery of gravitational waves? Learn more about your ad-choices at...

The Science of Happiness

24 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be happy? What's going on biologically, and how can we improve humanity's overall happiness in the future? Learn more about your...

The Future of Pandemics

19 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

How are science and technology helping us contain pandemics? How might they help us prevent outbreaks entirely in the future? We examine the strategie...

The Spectrum Crunch

17 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Bandwidth is a finite resource. What happens when we reach the limit? And how close are we now? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihear...

The Real Star Trek Tricorder

12 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In Star Trek, the tricorder is an all-purpose sensor array that can diagnose a person in moments. Is a real tricorder part of our near future? Learn ...

Did Minority Report Shape User Interfaces?

10 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In the film Minority Report, we see Tom Cruise's character use gestures similar to today's touchscreen commands. What's the story behind the film's te...

Will Future Consumer Tech Still Be Awkward?

05 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it in science fiction films you never see people struggle to operate consumer tech? Will the tech of the future really be flawlessly simple? L...

Project Minerva

03 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Could a start-up company challenge the university system? We look at why higher education is so expensive and the goals of the Minerva Project. Learn...

The Future of Blood!

29 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Blood: the liquid that we are large sacks of. Join the podcast team for a look at the future of artificial blood, rejuvenating transfusions and more. ...

Ants ... to the Future

27 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ants can ruin a picnic, sure, but they might also inspire some of the most interesting materials technology and computer science of tomorrow. Your hos...

Augmenting the Brain, Part Two: Tech

22 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

When you put your thinking cap on in the future, will it be a literal hat that boosts your intelligence? We look at tech that promises to make you sma...

Augmenting the Brain, Part One: Chemicals

20 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Are there safe, effective ways to boost brain power? Will the humans of the future be popping smart pills and leaving us all in the intellectual dust?...

The Future of Clinical Trials

15 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Could an emerging technology eliminate the need for animal testing in pre-clinical trials? We examine the potential of the organ-on-a-chip. Learn mor...

Pew! Pew! Laser!

13 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The inventor of the laser turned 99 in 2014. We look at emerging, cutting-edge uses for one of the coolest types of tech out there. Learn more about ...

The Future of Art

08 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

How have art and technology worked together in the past? Should art always be low tech? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcast...

The Art of 3D Printing

06 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Do 3D printers have a place in art? We look at the process of creating a 3D printed object and whether artistry is involved. Learn more about your ad...

NASA Wants to Go to Mars

01 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

NASA says the first humans to land on Mars are already walking around on Earth today. How does NASA propose we get there? Learn more about your ad-ch...

Nuclear Waste - What's the Solution?

30 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Should we bury nuclear waste? Recycle it? Shoot it into space? We talk about the pros and cons of various solutions. Learn more about your ad-choices...