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WSJ’s The Future of Everything podcast

WSJ’s The Future of Everything

What will the future look like? The Future of Everything offers a kaleidoscope view of the nascent trends that will shape our world. In every episode, join our award-winning team on a new journey of discovery. We’ll take you beyond what’s already out there, and make you smarter about the scientific and technological breakthroughs on the horizon that could transform our lives for the better.

What will the future look like? The Future of Everything offers a kaleidoscope view of the nascent trends that will shape our world. In every episode, join our award-winning team on a new journey of discovery. We’ll take you beyond what’s already out there, and make you smarter about the scientific and technological breakthroughs on the horizon that could transform our lives for the better.

 

#50

The ‘Mini Brains’ solving medical mysteries and raising concerns

It may seem like science fiction, but over the past decade scientists have been using stem cells to grow so-called “mini brains.” Researchers prefer the term [brain organoids] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/researchers-grow-human-mini-brains-1377709479) , a collection of human cells in a petri dish that mimic the structure and cell types of our own brains. They’ve been used to study diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s, and evaluate potential treatments, but now the research is becoming more sophisticated, and that’s raising big concerns. Could they become conscious? Should we even be experimenting on our own cells? WSJ’s Alex Ossola explores the advantages, and potential issues, as scientists look to use brain organoids to test new medicines or even replace the chips in our computers.  Further reading:  [Scientists Grow Human Cells in Rat Brains to Study Autism, Schizophrenia] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-transplant-human-tissue-into-rat-brains-opening-door-to-new-research-11665586832)   [Engineered Mini Brain Models Show Patterns of Activity That Resemble Babies’] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/engineered-mini-brain-models-show-patterns-of-activity-that-may-resemble-babies-11567090831)   [Startup Uses ‘Mini Brains’ and Software to Power Drug Research] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/startup-uses-mini-brains-and-software-to-power-drug-research-1536706919)   [Thomas Hartung’s laboratory at Johns Hopkins University] (https://publichealth.jhu.edu/faculty/2308/thomas-hartung)   [Paola Arlotta’s laboratory at Harvard University] (https://hsci.harvard.edu/people/paola-arlotta-phd)   [The Brainstorm Project] (https://braininitiative.nih.gov/funded-awards/brainstorm-project-collaborative-approach-facilitating-neuroethics-bioengineered-brain)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

17 Mar 2023

25 MINS

25:21

17 Mar 2023


#49

Melting Ice & Undersea Cables: How the Arctic Is Getting Fast Internet

High-speed internet is something many of us take for granted. But the [FCC] (https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/eighth-broadband-progress-report) says millions of Americans lack access to broadband service. That includes many people who live in the northernmost parts of Alaska, where satellite internet has long been the only option. That’s changing, though, as melting sea ice is leading a rush of companies to step in and start laying new undersea cables. WSJ Pro reporter Isabelle Bousquette visited parts of the Arctic where high-speed internet has made it easier to learn and even saved lives. She speaks with WSJ’s Danny Lewis about the huge educational, medical and research implications for people in the Arctic and beyond.  Further reading:  [A Warming Arctic Emerges as a Route for Subsea Cables - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-warming-arctic-emerges-as-a-route-for-subsea-cables-11655323903)   [Climate Change in Arctic Is Changing How People There Live and Work - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/climate-change-in-arctic-is-changing-how-people-there-live-and-work-11671133337)   [Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft Weave a Fiber-Optic Web of Power - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-amazon-meta-and-microsoft-weave-a-fiber-optic-web-of-power-11642222824)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

10 Mar 2023

28 MINS

28:43

10 Mar 2023


#48

Encore: Beyond Silicon? The New Materials Charting the Future of Microchips

Microchips are in pretty much all of our electronic devices—if it’s got a plug or a battery, it’s probably got a chip. For the past 60 years, most of these have been made of silicon. But new devices demand faster, better, and more efficient processors, and engineers are hitting silicon’s physical limits. In this encore episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ’s Alex Ossola digs into the future of chips—how scientists are boosting silicon’s capabilities and looking for other materials that could take its place. Further reading:  [Graphene and Beyond: The Wonder Materials That Could Replace Silicon in Future Tech] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiplet-amd-intel-apple-asml-micron-ansys-arm-ucle-11659135707)   [The Microchip Era Is Giving Way to the Megachip Age] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiplet-amd-intel-apple-asml-micron-ansys-arm-ucle-11659135707)   [Chips Act Will Create More Than One Million Jobs, Biden Says] (https://www.wsj.com/video/chips-act-will-create-more-than-one-million-jobs-biden-says/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

03 Mar 2023

21 MINS

21:35

03 Mar 2023


#47

Why the Future of Mental Health Care Could Be in Your Gut

A growing body of research suggests that the gut microbiome, the bacteria and other organisms that live in the gut, is linked to our mental health. But what if doctors could act on that information to treat mental illness by changing the gut microbiome? WSJ’s Alex Ossola talks to some of the top researchers in the emerging field of psychobiotics to explore how changing what’s in the gut could lead to future psychiatric treatments.  Help is available: Reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988. Further reading:  [Gut Bacteria Are Linked to Depression] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/gut-bacteria-linked-to-depression-11670342342)   [What Is Your Microbiome? A Wellness Trend Taking On Post-Covid Urgency] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/microbiome-gut-health-11623155936)   [Modern Life Is Messing With Our Microbiomes, but Science Is Fighting Back] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/positive-microbes-microbiome-11615410244)   [Diets Engineered to Work With Your Microbiome Are Latest Startup Craze] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/diets-engineered-to-work-with-your-microbiome-are-latest-startup-craze-11624899685)   [Those Probiotics May Actually Be Hurting Your ‘Gut Health’] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/those-probiotics-may-actually-be-hurting-your-gut-health-11570721466)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

17 Feb 2023

27 MINS

27:47

17 Feb 2023


#46

How Football Tech May Change the Game for Head Injuries

When the game clock starts, football players aren’t just heading out with their pads and a game plan. Technology like helmet sensors that track the hits players take are becoming more common, especially for young players. They’re being used to figure out when a player might be at risk for a concussion or another brain injury. The data collected is helping researchers and doctors learn more about what happens to the brain over time. But could these innovations and research shape how we play football? Further reading:  [Tua Tagovailoa Is in the NFL’s Concussion Protocols Again - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/tua-tagovailoa-concussion-video-11672121283)   [Severity, Not Frequency, Sets Football Injuries Apart - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/severity-not-frequency-sets-football-injuries-apart-11673581887)   [NFL and Nike Court a New Football Market: Girls - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-and-nike-court-a-new-football-market-girls-11612854854)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

03 Feb 2023

28 MINS

28:22

03 Feb 2023


#45

Algorithms Are Everywhere. How You Can Take Back Control

Computer algorithms and artificial intelligence increasingly affect more and more of our lives, from the content we’re shown online, to the music we enjoy, to how our household appliances work. But the results these algorithms produce may be changing our world in ways users may not fully understand. WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks with psychologist [Gerd Gigerenzer] (https://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/staff/gerd-gigerenzer) , director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the University of Potsdam. He’s spent decades studying how people make choices and find patterns when faced with uncertainty, and has some ideas about how to navigate and improve the relationship between AI and our society. Further reading: [The Backstory of ChatGPT Creator OpenAI] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/chatgpt-creator-openai-pushes-new-strategy-to-gain-artificial-intelligence-edge-11671378475)   [New York City Delays Enforcement of AI Bias Law] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-delays-enforcement-of-ai-bias-law-11670966590)   [How AI That Powers Chatbots and Search Queries Could Discover New Drugs] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-ai-that-powers-chatbots-and-search-queries-could-discover-new-drugs-11670428795)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

20 Jan 2023

21 MINS

21:15

20 Jan 2023


#44

From Laundry to the Ocean: Fixing the Microplastics Problem in Clothes

Our clothes are in need of a refresh, but not in the way you might think. With each wash, everything from sweaters to socks are releasing tiny, microscopic fibers into our water. Almost 35% of the primary [microplastics] (https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2017-002-En.pdf) in oceans right now come from laundry, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.  From filters in our washing machines to new materials for our clothes, alternatives are in the works to stop microplastics from coming off our clothes. But will it be enough? WSJ’s Alex Ossola and Ariana Aspuru speak about the steps researchers and companies are taking to solve the problem of microplastics in our wash. Further reading:  [The Tiny Plastics in Your Clothes Are Becoming a Big Problem - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tiny-plastics-in-your-clothes-are-becoming-a-big-problem-11551963601)    [Ocean Garbage Patches Have a Microscopic Problem - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/video/series/daniela-hernandez/ocean-garbage-patches-have-a-microscopic-problem/B558E306-0949-4735-8212-031190B7D26D)   [Fashion Firms Look to Single-Fiber Clothes as EU Recycling Regulations Loom - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/fashion-firms-look-to-single-fiber-clothes-as-eu-recycling-regulations-loom-11662467248)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

06 Jan 2023

25 MINS

25:07

06 Jan 2023


#43

Navigating The Future of Maps

From paper maps to smartphone apps, the way people navigate the world has changed tremendously due to the rise of the internet. Google Maps is the fourth most popular mobile app in the U.S. by unique visitors, according to [Comscore] (https://www.comscore.com/Insights/Rankings#tab_mobile_apps) . That makes it more popular than Instagram, Tiktok and Spotify or its closest competitor, Apple Maps. Christopher Phillips, who runs Google’s Geo team and oversees Google Maps, speaks with WSJ’s Danny Lewis about how his company is thinking about the role maps play in bringing more information to our fingertips. Further reading: [WSJ: The Future of Transportation] (https://foefestival.wsj.com/event/the-future-of-transportation/)   [Google Combines Maps and Waze Teams Amid Pressure to Cut Costs] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-combines-maps-and-waze-teams-in-restructuring-move-11670462301)   [Google Reaches $391.5 Million Settlement With States Over Location Tracking Practices] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-reaches-391-5-million-settlement-with-states-over-location-tracking-practices-11668444749?mod=Searchresults_pos5&page=1)   [Slow Self-Driving Car Progress Tests Investors’ Patience] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/investors-are-losing-patience-with-slow-pace-of-driverless-cars-11669576382?mod=Searchresults_pos7&page=2)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

23 Dec 2022

20 MINS

20:13

23 Dec 2022


#42

Making It Rain: How Cloud Seeding Could Help Combat Future Droughts

This past summer, many parts of the world suffered from some of the worst drought conditions in decades. In an effort to create more rain, the government of China turned once again to cloud seeding, a controversial technique that aims to target precipitation in key areas. WSJ’s Alex Ossola talks to [Dr. Katja Friedrich] (https://www.colorado.edu/atoc/katja-friedrich-sheherhers) , an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, about the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud seeding to get more water where it is needed.  Further reading:  [China Extends Power Curbs Amid Heat Wave, Drought] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-extends-power-curbs-amid-heat-wave-drought-11661171568)   [China, Thirsty and Craving Rain, Lines Clouds With Silver Bullets] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB906314311323445500)   [When the U.S. Tried to Control Hurricanes] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-the-u-s-tried-to-control-hurricanes-11573880461)   [Indonesian Snapshot: The Rainmakers of Riau] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEAB-1871)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

09 Dec 2022

22 MINS

22:23

09 Dec 2022


#41

Thanksgiving of the Future: What Climate Change Means for Your Plate

Thanksgiving often centers around a meal: turkey, sides and a lot of desserts. This year, many Thanksgiving staples are [more expensive] (https://www.fb.org/newsroom/farm-bureau-survey-shows-thanksgiving-dinner-cost-up-20) due to inflation; in the future, many of those staples will cost even more due to the effects of climate change. WSJ’s Alex Ossola looks into how environmental conditions, alongside technological advances, will change what makes its way to our Thanksgiving tables, and how our individual choices may spark new traditions.  Further reading:  [The Trouble With Butter: Tight Dairy Supplies Send Prices Surging Ahead of Baking Season] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-trouble-with-butter-tight-dairy-supplies-send-prices-surging-ahead-of-baking-season-11663846684)   [Record Turkey Prices Are Coming for Thanksgiving] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/record-turkey-prices-could-make-for-a-fowl-thanksgiving-11662117778)   [Lab-Grown Poultry Clears First Hurdle at FDA] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/lab-grown-poultry-clears-first-hurdle-at-fda-11668637685)   [Sean Sherman’s 2018 op-ed in Time] (https://time.com/5457183/thanksgiving-native-american-holiday/)   [The Essential Thanksgiving Playbook] (https://www.wsj.com/news/collection/thanksgiving-b0f931d3)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

24 Nov 2022

21 MINS

21:38

24 Nov 2022


#40

The Problem With Plastics: Could New Recycling Tech Help the Planet?

World leaders are still trying to figure out how to handle the hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste generated every year. Back in the 1990s, it was tough to switch on the TV and not see ads or shows offering viewers a simple solution: to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. Nice words, but it turns out that wasn’t enough to solve the problem. New high tech methods have shown promise in breaking down plastics or creating new ones that are easier to recycle. But they’re expensive alternatives. Will the economics work out? WSJ’s Danny Lewis sorts through the future of plastics recycling. Would you pay more for plastic products designed to be easily recycled? Email us at [foepodcast@wsj.com] (mailto:foepodcast@wsj.com)   Further reading:  [U.S. Recycles 5% of Plastic Waste, Studies Show] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-recycles-5-of-plastic-waste-studies-show-11651791214?mod=Searchresults_pos9&page=3)   [The 100% Recyclable Running Shoe That’s Only Available by Subscription] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-100-recyclable-running-shoe-thats-only-available-by-subscription-11657188000?mod=Searchresults_pos15&page=3)   [‘Widely Recyclable’ Label Introduced to Plastic Packaging] (https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/google-news-update/widely-recyclable-label-introduced-to-plastic-packaging/FF3B0022-2152-41D7-9D04-FCF3299F468F?mod=Searchresults_pos20&page=3)   [Soda Brands Are About to Get Possessive of Their Trash] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/soda-brands-are-about-to-get-possessive-of-their-trash-11657623940?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=4)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

11 Nov 2022

21 MINS

21:28

11 Nov 2022


#39

Siddhartha Mukherjee on the Future of Cellular Medicine

Cells are the basic unit of life, but you could be forgiven if you stopped thinking about them after high school biology. In his newest book, “ [The Song of the Cell] (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Song-of-the-Cell/Siddhartha-Mukherjee/9781982117351) ,” physician and author Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the myriad ways the humble cell is key to our world and our biology. He speaks to WSJ’s Alex Ossola about how our understanding of the cell is opening up a new frontier in medicine, how it is helping create new treatments for difficult diseases like cancer, and how it could one day help fix or even enhance our bodies.  What’s something you’re curious about that could shape the future? Email us at [foepodcast@wsj.com] (mailto:foepodcast@wsj.com)     Further reading:  [Book Review: The Emperor of All Maladies] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704635704575604654100474276)   [Peeking Into Pandora’s Box] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/peeking-into-pandoras-box-1463170629)   [Publisher Tweaks ‘Gene’ Book After New Yorker Article Uproar] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-96367)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

28 Oct 2022

25 MINS

25:33

28 Oct 2022


#38

Are Personal Pigs The Future of Human Medicine?

In the future, you might leave your doctor’s office with a prescription for a pig whose DNA has been modified to match your own. Scientists are already working on genetically engineering pigs to help predict the progression of a disease, or serve as an organ donor for those who need a transplant. But could pigs one day become keys to truly personalized medicine? WSJ’s Danny Lewis explores the promise and potential pitfalls of using animals to help human health. What’s something you’re curious about that could shape the future? Email us at [foepodcast@wsj.com] (mailto:foepodcast@wsj.com)   Further reading: [Growing a New Type of Organ Donor] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/growing-a-new-type-of-organ-donor-11662473054?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1)   [Scientists to Study Pig-Organ Transplants in Brain-Dead People for Longer Periods] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-to-study-pig-organ-transplants-in-brain-dead-people-for-longer-periods-11661561349)    [Scientists Transplant Human Tissue into Rat Brains, Opening Door to New Research] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-transplant-human-tissue-into-rat-brains-opening-door-to-new-research-11665586832?mod=djemalertNEWS)   [The Human Genome “Rosetta Stone” and The Future of Health] (https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/wsj-the-future-of-everything/the-human-genome-rosetta-stone-and-the-future-of-health/99F46945-2C3E-4D8F-B66F-A69E60B4B10E)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

14 Oct 2022

21 MINS

21:30

14 Oct 2022


#37

Beyond Silicon? The New Materials Charting the Future of Microchips

Microchips are in pretty much all of our electronic devices—if it’s got a plug or a battery, it’s probably got a chip. For the past 60 years, most of these have been made of silicon. But new devices demand faster, better, and more efficient processors, and engineers are hitting silicon’s physical limits. In this episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ’s Alex Ossola digs into the future of chips—how scientists are boosting silicon’s capabilities and looking for other materials that could take its place. Further reading:  [Graphene and Beyond: The Wonder Materials That Could Replace Silicon in Future Tech] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiplet-amd-intel-apple-asml-micron-ansys-arm-ucle-11659135707)   [The Microchip Era Is Giving Way to the Megachip Age] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiplet-amd-intel-apple-asml-micron-ansys-arm-ucle-11659135707)   [Chips Act Will Create More Than One Million Jobs, Biden Says] (https://www.wsj.com/video/chips-act-will-create-more-than-one-million-jobs-biden-says/) [Timeline of silicon’s development (Computer History Museum)] (https://www.computerhistory.org/siliconengine/timeline/)   [Christopher Mims’ tech column for the Wall Street Journal] (https://www.wsj.com/news/types/keywords)   [Deji Akinwande's research page at the University of Texas at Austin] (https://sites.utexas.edu/nano/)   [Stephen Forrest's profile page at the University of Michigan] (https://mse.engin.umich.edu/people/stevefor)   [Deep Jariwala's lab page the the University of Pennsylvania] (https://jariwala.seas.upenn.edu/) [Wolfspeed's website] (https://www.wolfspeed.com/company/about/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

30 Sep 2022

21 MINS

21:35

30 Sep 2022


#36

The Conservation Conundrum: How Do We Decide Which Species to Save?

From “save the whales” to “protect the bumblebee,” animal conservationists rally advocates and officials to put resources toward ensuring the survival of a threatened species. But can we really save them all? Or are we overlooking the trade-offs as we decide which animals are protected to the detriment of others? WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks to Dr. Rebecca Nesbit, ecologist and author of the book [“Tickets for The Ark: From Wasps to Whales – How Do We Choose What to Save?”] (https://profilebooks.com/work/tickets-for-the-ark/) about the tricky ethical questions behind conservation.   Further Reading: [A Belgian City Opens a Hotel for an Unusual Clientele: Insects | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/bug-hotels-aim-to-create-buzz-around-biodiversity-11660571992?mod=Searchresults_pos17&page=1)   [Are Shark Attacks a Sign of Conservation Success? | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/story/are-shark-attacks-a-sign-of-conservation-success-217f5bc1?mod=Searchresults_pos9&page=1)   [Bird Populations Plummet in North America | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/bird-populations-plummet-in-north-america-11568930443)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

16 Sep 2022

24 MINS

24:01

16 Sep 2022


#35

Why Sound Could be Key to the Future of Coral Reefs

With climate change warming the oceans, coral reefs remain some of the most vulnerable ecosystems. Keeping an eye on them can be time-consuming and expensive, since it requires divers to do spot-checks to see if the reefs are bustling, lively environments or if they are degrading into abandoned neighborhoods. But some researchers are increasingly tuning in to how reefs sound to monitor the corals’ health and maybe even make them more resilient. In this episode of The Future of Everything, WSJ’s Danny Lewis explores how listening to reefs may be the next frontier in trying to save them.   Further reading: [Financing a Healthy Future for Coral Reefs] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/financing-a-healthy-future-for-coral-reefs-11649952196?mod=Searchresults_pos6&page=1)   [Listen: Scientists Are Recording Ocean Sounds to Spot New Species] (https://www.wsj.com/story/listen-scientists-are-recording-ocean-sounds-to-spot-new-species-f4c496ea?mod=Searchresults_pos10&page=1)   [Divers Discover Coral Reef in Pristine Condition] (https://www.wsj.com/story/divers-discover-coral-reef-in-pristine-condition-54a9abf3?mod=Searchresults_pos14&page=1)   [Google AI Tries to Save the Whales] (https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/wsj-the-future-of-everything/google-ai-tries-to-save-the-whales/80212D22-9E00-4236-A616-ADC8FAB3BF7A)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

02 Sep 2022

20 MINS

20:10

02 Sep 2022


#34

AI, Art and the Future of Looking at a Painting

Three controversial paintings by Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt were lost to a fire in WWII. All that remained were black and white photos - and art historians have discussed what the paintings’ motifs and colors actually looked like for decades. Recently, the Google Arts and Culture Lab gave it a try ... by tapping into artificial intelligence. In this episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ's Ariana Aspuru explores how researchers are using AI to better understand art, artists and the creative process.   Further reading: [The Klimt Color Enigma — Google Arts & Culture] (https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-klimt-color-enigma/SQWxuZfE5ki3mQ?hl=en)   [‘Klimt vs. Klimt: The Man of Contradictions’ Review: Exploring an Art-Nouveau Master Online - WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/klimt-vs-klimt-the-man-of-contradictions-google-arts-and-culture-gustav-klimt-art-nouveau-the-kiss-faculty-paintings-machine-learning-11636583036)    [Using AI to recreate how artists painted their masterpieces | MIT CSAIL] (https://www.csail.mit.edu/news/using-ai-recreate-how-artists-painted-their-masterpieces)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

19 Aug 2022

24 MINS

24:59

19 Aug 2022


#33

How Gene-Edited Crops Could be the Future of Feeding the World

In the decade since CRISPR gene-editing technology was first developed, it has been used to address a host of issues, such as [developing new cancer treatments] (https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/crispr-cancer-research-treatment) , designing faster [rapid COVID-19 tests] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/startups-meet-omicron-with-crop-of-fast-versatile-tests-for-covid-19-11643281201?mod=Searchresults_pos4&page=1) and to make [biofuel-producing algae] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/exxon-sees-green-gold-in-algae-based-fuels-skeptics-see-greenwashing-11633258802) . Proponents say CRISPR could also help solve some of the world’s biggest food-related problems: salad greens could be more nutritious, fruits could taste better, and crops of all kinds could be altered to grow using fewer resources. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently gave the go-ahead to [bring gene-edited beef to market,] (https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-makes-low-risk-determination-marketing-products-genome-edited-beef-cattle-after-safety-review) and [CRISPR-modified purple tomatoes] (https://www.wsj.com/video/series/daniela-hernandez/gmo-tomatoes-could-be-returning-after-25-years-will-people-eat-them/DAF3CDB0-8268-44C9-8192-475B14553B58) could be coming later this year. But agricultural technology companies still have to figure out how to overcome consumer skepticism. In this session from the WSJ Global Food Forum, leaders from two firms working to scale-up gene-edited foods discuss what it takes to get the new technology out of the lab and into supermarkets. Further reading:   [Get Ready for Gene-Edited Food] (https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/wsj-the-future-of-everything/get-ready-for-gene-edited-food/07CDC0F9-9D12-4E49-8DE1-B0511C12EDE5)   [GMO Tomatoes Could Be Returning After 25 Years. Will People Eat Them?] (https://www.wsj.com/video/series/daniela-hernandez/gmo-tomatoes-could-be-returning-after-25-years-will-people-eat-them/DAF3CDB0-8268-44C9-8192-475B14553B58?mod=Searchresults_pos11&page=1)   [Crispr’s Next Frontier: Treating Common Conditions] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/crisprs-next-frontier-treating-common-conditions-11620226832)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

05 Aug 2022

22 MINS

22:31

05 Aug 2022


#32

Making “Organic Architecture” Truly Organic

[Neri Oxman] (https://oxman.com/) spends her time thinking about the future of materials science and how it should influence architecture and design. In this session from the [Future of Everything Festival] (https://foefestival.wsj.com/person/neri-oxman/) , the architect and former tenured professor at [MIT’s Media Lab] (https://www.media.mit.edu/groups/mediated-matter/overview/) speaks with WSJ Health and Science coverage chief [Stefanie Ilgenfritz] (https://www.wsj.com/news/author/stefanie-ilgenfritz) about her vision of a future where science, technology and organic design work together to create products and buildings that may counteract climate change in urban areas.  Further reading: [A Science of Buildings That Can Grow—and Melt Away | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-science-of-buildings-that-can-growand-melt-away-11649601901)   [JPMorgan’s New Manhattan Headquarters to Be All Electric Powered | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/jpmorgans-new-manhattan-headquarters-to-be-all-electric-powered-11649930400)   [Biophilic Design Is Helping Big-City Apartment Towers Get Back to Nature | WSJ] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/biophilic-design-apartment-buildings-11632414024)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

22 Jul 2022

20 MINS

20:22

22 Jul 2022


#31

Fertility and the Future of Health

Welcoming a child into your family can be life changing, but for those struggling to get pregnant the process can be emotionally taxing and expensive. Reproductive science is quickly changing, as is society’s approach to the issues around fertility. In this episode, we bring you a conversation from the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, where a handful of medical practitioners and reproductive entrepreneurs discussed the future of fertility with [WSJ’s Amy Dockser Marcus] (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wsj.com/news/author/amy-dockser-marcus&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1657028336456798&usg=AOvVaw3gOxZGe3jDA6DsL48Bvfci) . Guests include: sociologist Rene Almeling, Stephen Krawetz, the Associate Director of the CS Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Daisy Robinton, the CEO of Oviva Therapeutics and Angela Stepancic, the founder of Reproductive Village Cryobank. This conversation was recorded before the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Useful Links: See more videos from [The WSJ Future of Everything Festival] (https://foefestival.wsj.com/)    [GUYnecology: The Missing Science of Men’s Reproductive Health] (https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520289253/guynecology)   [Krawetz Lab] (https://mott.med.wayne.edu/krawetzlab) at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development [Oviva Therapeutics] (https://www.ovivatx.com/)   [Reproductive Village Cryobank] (https://www.reproductivevillage.com/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

08 Jul 2022

20 MINS

20:01

08 Jul 2022


#30

Stocks Rise to Open Second Half of 2022

Also: GM shares rise 1.4% after automaker says [profits won’t be affected by computer-chip supply shortages] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-update-07-01-2022-11656660859?st=tf0e5pqu14p1eoa&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink) . Kohl’s shares fall 19.6% after calling off its sale to Franchise Group. J.R. Whalen reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

01 Jul 2022

02 MINS

02:09

01 Jul 2022


#29

Building the Metaverse and the Future of the Internet

For decades, a virtual reality version of the internet has been a staple of science fiction. The metaverse is the latest iteration and it has the potential to become something more than a new gaming platform. But years before Facebook changed its name to Meta and launched huge investments into the space, [Philip Rosedale] (https://foefestival.wsj.com/person/philip-rosedale/) was experiment ing with many of these same ideas in the virtual world he helped create: [Second Life.] (https://secondlife.com/) In a conversation with Wall Street Journal reporter [Christopher Mims] (https://foefestival.wsj.com/person/christopher-mims/) during the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, Rosedale shared his vision for a metaverse where data privacy is more important than advertising, and our online and offline lives intersect in a healthier way. Further reading:   From the Wall Street Journal: [Meta-morphosis or More Pain? Possible Futures for Facebook’s Parent Company] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/meta-morphosis-or-more-pain-possible-futures-for-facebooks-parent-company-11654920026?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1) | Christopher Mims [Second Life Founder Returns to Take On the Metaverse] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/second-life-founder-returns-to-take-on-the-metaverse-11642080602) | Meghan Bobrowsky [The Facebook Files] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039) | WSJ Investigations [How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires] (https://www.wsj.com/video/series/inside-tiktoks-highly-secretive-algorithm/investigation-how-tiktok-algorithm-figures-out-your-deepest-desires/6C0C2040-FF25-4827-8528-2BD6612E3796) | WSJ Investigations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

24 Jun 2022

19 MINS

19:26

24 Jun 2022


#28

Waste Not, Want Not: A Future Without Food Waste

Every year, even as millions struggle with food insecurity, about a third of all the food produced for humans in the world is thrown away, according to the [UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization] (https://www.fao.org/3/i3347e/i3347e.pdf) . That not only means wasting water and energy resources. The food, rotting in landfills, also emits methane gas linked to climate change. Attorney Emily Broad Leib, the director and founder of the [Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic] (https://hls.harvard.edu/dept/clinical/clinics/food-law-and-policy-clinic-of-the-center-for-health-law-and-policy-innovation/) , has dedicated her career to researching ways to end food waste. In this episode, she explains why food waste is such an issue around the world, how laws and regulations inadvertently lead to more food being wasted, and the simple changes to food labeling she says will make for a less wasteful future. Further Reading:  [The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic] (https://hls.harvard.edu/dept/clinical/clinics/food-law-and-policy-clinic-of-the-center-for-health-law-and-policy-innovation/)   Recent [WSJ Food Coverage] (https://www.wsj.com/news/types/magazine-food?mod=breadcrumb) :  [Sustainable Chocolate Made Without Cacao] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/sustainable-chocolate-made-without-cacao-11649942164) | Mary Holland  [How to Read a Food Label: A Healthy Skeptic’s Guide to the Buzzwords] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/food-label-guide-regenerative-organic-meanings-11648827356?page=2) | Elizabeth G. Dunn  Emily Broad Leib’s recommended reading:  [Waste Free Kitchen Handbook: A Guide to Eating Well and Saving Money By Wasting Less Food] (https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/waste-free-kitchen-handbook-pb) | Dana Gunders  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

03 Jun 2022

19 MINS

19:23

03 Jun 2022


#27

Designing the Office of the Future: Building Serendipity

The pandemic has changed the way we work and where we work. Now, as companies try to coax their employees back to the office, they are encountering new demands and shifting expectations. In this episode, we bring you a conversation from WSJ’s CEO Council Summit between world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick, who has spearheaded huge office complexes including Google’s new Charleston East headquarters in California, and London Business School professor Lynda Gratton, who studies how people and organizations interact. They detail why office spaces must be flexible, but also encourage “serendipity” to facilitate vibrant and productive work. [2022 WSJ CEO Council] (https://ceocouncil.wsj.com/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

13 May 2022

18 MINS

18:45

13 May 2022


#26

The Human Genome “Rosetta Stone” and The Future of Health

One person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Sometimes it’s even true in science. Nearly 20 years ago, researchers said they had completed a groundbreaking project, sequencing the human genome. But they were missing about 8%. Some researchers at the time called the missing pieces “junk.” Still, a team of about 100 researchers kept going and has now finished a truly complete sequence. It’s a genomic “Rosetta Stone,” a reference guide capable of revealing what makes humans, human. One of the lead authors, Dr. Evan Eichler, tells us how filling in the gaps will improve the way we understand disease and advance personalized medicine. Full research article from the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium: [The complete sequence of a human genome] (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abj6987) Read more from the Wall Street Journal: [First ‘Gapless’ Human Genome Map Is Unveiled, Years After Prior Effort] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-gapless-human-genome-map-is-unveiled-years-after-earlier-effort-11648750303)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

15 Apr 2022

20 MINS

20:49

15 Apr 2022


#25

Introducing ‘As We Work’

“ [As We Work] (https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/as-we-work?mod=podcasts_tile) ” is a new podcast from the Wall Street Journal about the changing workplace and what you need to know to navigate it. Every week, we’ll speak with experts, Journal reporters, and you about how our jobs intersect with everything else. In season one, we break down how our relationship to work has evolved in the wake of the pandemic and other social phenomena. Hosted by Tess Vigeland. For further reading on pay transparency, check out WSJ reporter Chip Cutter's January article " [You'll Soon Get to See Pay on NYC Job Postings] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-google-and-just-about-every-nyc-employer-will-soon-have-to-disclose-pay-secrets-11643365982?st=o5zo7dawrcd4ntj&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink) ," as well as Dr. Jake Rosenfeld's book " [You're Paid What You're Worth – and Other Myths of the Modern Economy] (https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674916593) ." Questions? Story ideas? Want to tell us how much you make? Email us at [AsWeWork@wsj.com] (mailto:aswework@wsj.com) . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

01 Apr 2022

30 MINS

30:51

01 Apr 2022


#24

After Higgs Boson: Physics’ Next Move to Understand the Universe

It’s been more than a decade since the European Organization for Nuclear Research (known as CERN) discovered the Higgs Boson, using their gigantic particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. After three years of upgrades, they’re turning the world’s largest machine back on. What secrets of the universe are they hoping to discover? Will there be another “God Particle” moment? And are these expensive, high-energy colliders the best way forward in physics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

18 Mar 2022

31 MINS

31:38

18 Mar 2022


#23

Dark Matter, Public Enemy and the Future of Physics

Physicist Stephon Alexander was born in Trinidad and grew up in a working class household in the Bronx. Now he’s a professor at Brown University and president of the National Society of Black Physicists. Speaking with host Janet Babin, Alexander discusses how his latest book, "Fear of a Black Universe: An Outsider's Guide to the Future of Physics" was inspired by cultural icons like the hip hop group Public Enemy and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and why being an "outsider" could help the world answer some of the most pressing questions for the future of physics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

25 Feb 2022

23 MINS

23:09

25 Feb 2022


#22

Migratory Birds Struggle and Adapt to a Challenging Future

Long-time naturalist and writer Scott Weidensaul has spent decades tracking migratory birds and studying their habits. But there's still a lot science doesn't know. In this episode of The Future of Everything, we talk to Weidensaul about the findings of his latest book, "A World On The Wing”, including the risks facing migrators and why unraveling their mysteries might have implications for the future of mankind. To read Weidensaul's "A World On The Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds" visit: https://bit.ly/3rtvUJq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

04 Feb 2022

26 MINS

26:31

04 Feb 2022


#21

Historical Soundscapes Reveal Quieter Future For Natural World

A group of researchers reconstructed historical soundscapes using bird data to hear the impact of dramatic declines in birds throughout the world. Host Janet Babin and former WSJ science writer Robert Lee Hotz explore how these declines in our natural soundscapes could have negative impacts on avian evolution, as well as humans in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

21 Jan 2022

30 MINS

30:53

21 Jan 2022