This episode revolves around an interview between John and David Kaiser, an American physicist and science historian. With David’s help, we take a look at how quantum evolved over the 20th century in both Europe and the US (and yes, even how the CIA and mindreading played a role). He also dives back into the topic of entanglement (or as Einstein called it ‘spooky action at a distance’) and sheds some light on the groundbreaking work of John Bell (who gave his name to the all-important Bell’s Theorem). 

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘quantum’? What even is quantum physics? What does it tell us about our world and universe, and what can it offer us in the future?

We continue our exploration of cloning with a closer look at how cloning and factory farming interact. Is animal cloning humane? Is it a technologically advanced key to the problems of factory farming? Or does it simply perpetuate the already existing issues?

Cloning has long been a pillar of sci-fi tales. But now it's here, as is CRISPR technology - gene editing. What does this all look like exactly and how does it work? And more importantly, are we already eating clones at the dinner table? 

Could AI make this entire episode? And replace Eva and John altogether? In this episode we look at the range of tools and solutions that AI offers right now, and look at where it might go in the future.

I am a paperclip. Just don’t call me Mr. Clippy. Pull up a chair and listen to this humorous tale that tells the history - and possible future - of the humble paperclip. In this little interlude we bring together some of the various themes of the season, from Operation Paperclip (episode 2) to the future of AI and AGI. Inventions and innovations, progress and science. Because remember, the trouble is we have no idea how to imagine The Singularity.

The future of booze. What does it taste like? Join us while we look at the role of the oldest of human concoctions: alcohol, and how we may just be on the cusp of a radical revolution in all things inebriation. 

It’s the age of Artemis! This means humanity is going back to the moon. And beyond! But where did this journey begin exactly? We’ve got a wild story that involves Nazis, bad novels, Walt Disney and the tyranny of the rocket equation. Listen as we explore the life and work of Wernher von Braun and the space race of the 1960s before looking to the present day Artemis programme and even the future of interstellar travel beyond the solar system. It’s time to reboot Earth: listen to find out why…

It’s the age of Artemis! This means humanity is going back to the moon. And beyond! But where did this journey begin exactly? We’ve got a wild story that involves Nazis, bad novels, Walt Disney and the tyranny of the rocket equation. Listen as we explore the life and work of Wernher von Braun and the space race of the 1960s before looking to the present day Artemis programme and even the future of interstellar travel beyond the solar system. It’s time to reboot Earth: listen to find out why…

What connects the first ever recorded science fiction story with Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove? And who was the real live person that Strangelove was modeled on? We all know that to understand the future we have to understand the past, so that’s why we’re starting the season deep underground at the site of ancient Roman London. In this episode Eva and John get two different takes on apocalyptic storytelling, figuring out if there’s something inherently human in our fascination with the end times.  

A little rambly preamble. Welcome! to the second season of The Life Cycle: Now What? Every day we’re told the world is ending. But what does that mean? And if it is, what can we do about it? Should our hopes lie in the great beyond (outer space) or in the quantum realm of matter itself? Join us as we go on a storytelling journey, as we take an irreverent and curious look at the future of humanity. We interview some fascinating thinkers, creators, inventors, artists and business people as we navigate the past, present and future. Now What? A whole lot, it seems…