Brent Kearney

Throughout the summer of 2009, FastForward Radio did a special series that they called A World Transformed, which provided an overview of the emerging technologies that are poised to radically transform our societies and ourselves in ways that are hardly imaginable. Although the audio sometimes sounds like they’re speaking through a plastic bag into a tin can attached by a string, from the bottom of a well, the interviews with some of the most knowledgeable people in the world on these topics makes listening very worthwhile.

If you’re interested in learning about some exciting developments in science & technology, then I highly recommend that you listen to these podcasts — they’ll blow your mind:

• Part 2: The Era of Indefinite Lifespan
  

  Visionary aging researchers and best-selling authors Aubrey de Grey (Ending Aging) and Terry Grossman (The Baby-Boomer’s Guide to Living Forever, Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever) explain how indefinite healthy extension of human lifespan is not only possible, but may well soon be within our grasp.

• Part 3: The Nanotechnology Revolution
  

  Nanotechnology promises to change our world in ways that are difficult to predict, or even imagine. Are you ready for:

  …Star Trek style replicators that would allow you to make anything, ANYTHING, you wanted?

  …artificial robotic blood cells that will turn an Average Joe into a world-class athlete, or allow you to hold your breath under water for an hour at a time?

  Nanotechnology promises all of this plus a lot more. We’re joined by a distinguished panel of guests who will help us understand the benefits, and risks, of this technology that will be with us sooner than most of us expect.

• Part 5: Achieving Friendly Artificial Intelligence
  

  In the near future, is machine intelligence going to equal or overtake human intelligence in terms of speed and capability?

  If so, what can we do to make sure these new intelligences are on our side?

• Part 9: The Technological Singularity
  

  Ray Kurzweil has been described as “the restless genius” by the Wall Street Journal, and “the ultimate thinking machine” by Forbes magazine. Inc. magazine ranked him #8 among entrepreneurs in the United States, calling him the “rightful heir to Thomas Edison.” He is a man who wears many hats — businessman, inventor, artist, visionary, and bestselling author. With his book The Singularity Is Near he has probably done more than anyone else to alert the the public as to the amazing period of transformation in which we now live.

I have picked out what I thought were the best of the 10ish podcasts that make up The Speculist’s The World Transformed series, but by all means, check out the full series at their website. Thank you very much, Phil Bowermaster and Stephen Gordon, for putting together this fantastic series to raise awareness and encourage discussion about the promise and peril we face in times ahead.

2011 Update:

It looks like they’ve put up a new website and have a sequel series, the creatively named, A World Transformed 2.

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