Month: June 2020

‘The future is a foreign country; they do things differently there’ – to misquote LP Hartley. Andrew Marr talks to Riel Miller, an economist at UNESCO, about the difficulties of understanding and predicting what happens in the future. Miller argues that individuals, institutions and governments fail to grasp its profound unpredictability, where the only certainty is radical change. He’s calling for a programme of future literacy, designed to challenge present complacency and improve preparedness for what’s on the horizon.

But given what we know about the world today, and what we can guess about the future, is it okay to have a child? That is the question posed by Meehan Crist, writer-in-residence in Biological Sciences at Columbia University. She tracks the resurgence of Malthus and his powerful, terrifying idea that if the global population grows too large, we are all doomed. Crist unpicks the argument that responsibility for stopping climate change and safeguarding the future rests solely with the individual.

Producer: Katy Hickman

‘The future is a foreign country; they do things differently there’ – to misquote LP Hartley. Andrew Marr talks to Riel Miller, an economist at UNESCO, about the difficulties of understanding and predicting what happens in the future. Miller argues that individuals, institutions and governments fail to grasp its profound unpredictability, where the only certainty is radical change. He’s calling for a programme of future literacy, designed to challenge present complacency and improve preparedness for what’s on the horizon.

But given what we know about the world today, and what we can guess about the future, is it okay to have a child? That is the question posed by Meehan Crist, writer-in-residence in Biological Sciences at Columbia University. She tracks the resurgence of Malthus and his powerful, terrifying idea that if the global population grows too large, we are all doomed. Crist unpicks the argument that responsibility for stopping climate change and safeguarding the future rests solely with the individual.

Producer: Katy Hickman

Andy calls his friend Al Franken and they ramble about holding people accountable, bearing witness, Zach’s burden, and being a grandparent during the pandemic. Mostly, they talk about ways Andy can do a much better job. The episode is dedicated to the memory of George Floyd and healing the city of Minneapolis. 

Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt, and find Al Franken at https://alfranken.com/and on Twitter and Instagram @alfranken

In the Bubble is supported in part by listeners like you. You can become a member, get exclusive bonus content, ask Andy questions, and get discounted merch at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/inthebubble/

Check out our fantastic show sponsors this week! 

-       Teladoc provides access to certified doctors from the comfort and safety of home. Register now at https://www.teladoc.com/

-       Kinsa Health is a public health company dedicated to stopping the spread of illness through early detection and early response. Check out their health app and smart thermometers at kinsahealth.co and visit healthweather.us to see leading indicators of future COVID-19 hotspots. 

Here are some other important resources from today’s show:

-       Hear Al Franken and his many wonderful podcast guests here: https://alfranken.com/listen

-       Find the George Packer article “We Are Living in a Failed State” here: https://bit.ly/2XeOeGP  

-       Read guidelines about how to #opensafely from Andy and 21 other health leaders at www.Open-Safely.US and check out their recent op-ed in USA Today here: https://bit.ly/2XHM1Th

-       Learn more about The Lincoln Project here: https://lincolnproject.us/

-       Read Al Franken’s book, Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right: https://amazon.com

-       Trying to remember what Simpson-Bowles was all about? Take a dive into the reporting archives: https://wapo.st/2AnU3Zu

-       Check out Shaun the Sheep for a laugh you can share with your kids: https://www.shaunthesheep.com/

-       See a clip of Gov. Burgum of North Dakota talking about face masks here: https://bit.ly/3dsyyWp

Check out In Recovery with Dr. Nzinga Harrison, a new advice show from Lemonada Media about all things addiction: http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/in-recovery/

To follow along with a transcript and/or take notes for friends and family, go to www.lemonadamedia.com/show/in-the-bubble shortly after the air date.

Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.