Chemical scum that dream of distant quas...

Meditation asks you to slip into a state of serene presence. But why does something that sounds effortless often feel so difficult? In this lighthearted invitation, spiritual leader Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche shares three steps to help you accept the ebb and flow of your emotions an ... Show More

What's your point? Communication expert Chris Fenning reveals how the first 60 seconds can make or break a workplace conversation — and shares a three-step framework to help you get it right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 

What sound came after the Big Bang? Astronomer Mark Whittle takes us back to the infant cosmos, where massive sound waves pulsed through primordial gas in a pattern that's still traceable across the galaxy today. Working with sound artist Ander Mikalson and composer Caroline Shaw ... Show More

The scientist talks to David Marchese about how to overcome the “soft” climate denial that keeps us buying junk. 

<p>We’ve grown accustomed to viewing climate change as an enemy we must urgently defeat. But is that the right metaphor for the greatest existential problem of our time? This week, we consider how to reframe the way we think about life on a changing planet. </p> <p><em>If you lik ... Show More

Sam Harris talks to physicist David Deutsch about the reach and power of human knowledge, the future of artificial intelligence, and the survival of civilization. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episode ... Show More

Is perfection the enemy of progress in the fight against climate change? Climate scientist Sean Davis tells the story of a time when nations came together to help save the ozone layer - despite being unsure of their first steps. This talk was filmed at TEDxBoulder. All TEDx event ... Show More

We speak to Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and host of the new Netflix show Our Planet, and two of the show’s producers about the essential changes we need to make to save our home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. ... Show More

For many futurists, the long term survival of humanity depends on its ability to become a true interplanetary and even interstellar species. But what is the potential moral cost of such a great technological and cultural leap forward? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, R ... Show More

In this question we discuss Stephen Hawking's claim that people are "chemical scum" on a typical planet orbiting a typical star in a typical galaxy and so on. How suitable is our planet for life, actually? How suitable is it for people in particular? 

Back in the old days, if your species was faced with an existential threat, you were stuck hoping for some advantageous mutation. Maybe an extra fin or a slightly more sophisticated eyeball. Outwitting fate was pretty much out of the question. And as much as we might prefer to ju ... Show More