The Escaped Sapiens Podcast

What Science Learned From The Pandemic | Peter Doherty | Escaped Sapiens Podcast #53

Now that the dust has settled to a certain extent, how did we do with the pandemic? Which countries handled the situation best? Did we learn anything? How well did scientists do, and how well did the public, politicians, and the media do? In this episode of the podcast I speak with Australian immunologist and author Peter Doherty. Peter has won a range of distinguished prizes for his research including the Albert Lasker prize for basic medical research and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with Rolf M. Zinkernagel. Peter is also a National Trust Australian Living Treasure, and was the 1997 Australian of the year. We discuss immunology, life in research, the Nobel prize, scientific ego, the role of science in politics, the struggles of young scientists, existential risk, and political polarization.

 

►Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ttGFjDcHLCI

 

►For more information about Peter: https://www.doherty.edu.au/people/laureate-professor-peter-doherty

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode looks at (medical) science more broadly, and the role it played in maintaining stable and healthy societies during the pandemic. 

Behind Closed Doors: The High Stakes Game Of Diplomacy | John Kornblum | Escaped Sapiens Podcast #52

It is easy to take peace for granted. In this episode of the podcast I speak with John Kornblum about the hard work that diplomats do in the background to maintain peace between nations. John specializes in European and east–west relations, and played a defining role in many of the important events leading up to the end of the Cold War, and those that led to the current post-cold war security environment. These included the Quadripartite negotiations on Berlin, the Helsinki Final Act, the stationing of nuclear weapons in Europe, President Ronald Reagan's historic 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, German reunification, the Dayton Agreement on the Balkans, enlargement of NATO, the post-Cold War security settlement with Russia and Ukraine and the agreement on compensation of slave laborers and establishment of the Reconciliation Foundation of German Industry. John also served as US Special Envoy to the Balkans and directed two dramatic prisoner and spy exchanges on the Glienicke Bridge in Berlin in 1985 and 1986.

 

►Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tU0q0C0jTUw

 

►For more information about John: https://www.csis.org/people/john-c-kornblum


These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode covers the maintenance of international relations, the rule of international law, and world peace.

Vertical Farming: A New Food System | Viviana Correa Galvis | Escaped Sapeins Podcast #51

Most of us live nowhere near where our food comes from. which means that the food that we have access to is dictated by conderations like does it travel well, and does it have a long shelf life. Our supply chains also lead to sprawling monocrops, pesticide overuse, and agricultural runoff, as well as biodiversity loss, and a range of other problems. But this might all change in the near future with vertical farming.

In this episode of the Podcast I speak with Dr. Vivian Correa Galvis about the future of Vertical Farming. Vivian is a Crow Quality Team Lead at Infarm, which is one of the worlds largest vertical agricultural company. The idea we discuss is simple but dramatic. We might one day be able to return vast amounts of land to nature by bringing crops back into the cities and stacking them vertically in controlled environments. The benefit of controlled environments is the ability to decide on the cultivars that we want to grow, and we can also control runoff and water usage. There are even ways of controlling how fast plants grow, their size, shape, nutrition value, flavor, and colour without altering their genetics.

►Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWDzhn1CKA 

►For more information about Vivian: https://scholar.google.de/citations?hl=de&user=Tzkz19sAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

 

►For more information about Infarm: https://www.infarm.com/

 

►Note, that this episode is not a paid advertisement for infarm. Infarm, however, very kindly allowed me to visit their premises in Berlin for this interview.

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode covers sustainable resource use in agriculture. 

Reconstructing Limbs With Advanced Prosthetics | Munjed Al Muderis | Escaped Sapiens #50.b

In this episode of the Podcast I speak with Professor Munjed Al Muderis about a new technology that is allowing amputees to walk again. Osseointegration is the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant. While dental implants have long been standard, surgeons are now starting to use this technology to reconstruct missing limbs. We cover some of the technical details of these kinds of surgeries, the complications, and the difficulties of introducing new medical procedures and therapies.

►Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YINU7GXkkWw

 

►For more information about Munjed: https://www.almuderis.com.au/

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode is the second part of a two part conversation that covers Munjed's world leading work as a surgeon. A key part of this discussion is Munjed's dream of creating a more economically sustainable environment for medicine in Australia. 

A Refugee’s Story | Munjed Al Muderis | Escaped Sapiens #50.a

In this episode of the Podcast I speak with Professor Munjed Al Muderis about his escape from Iraq as a refugee. In 1999 Munjed was forced to flee Iraq after a busload of army draft evaders were brought into the hospital where he worked to have the top of their ears amputated under Saddam Hussein's orders. The senior surgeon in the operating theatre refused the orders and was immediately interrogated and shot in front of several medical staff. Rather than complying with orders Munjed decided to escape. This conversation covers Munjed's journey from Iraq to Australia as a refugee. We also discuss Australian refugee policies.

►For more information about Munjed: https://www.almuderis.com.au/

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode is the first part of a two part conversation that covers Munjed's journey from being a refugee to being a world leading surgeon. In the second part of the discussion we discuss one of Munjed's dreams: the goal of creating a more economically sustainable environment for medicine in Australia.

Good, Evil, and Social Engineering | Hans-Georg Moeller | Escaped Sapiens #49

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Professor Hans-Georg Moeller from the University of Macau. Georg's work focusses on Chinese and Comparative Philosophy (specifically Daoism) and on Social and Political Thought (specifically Social Systems Theory). We discuss the role that morality plays as a potent social engineering tool for establishing order and power. While morality is usually thought of in a positive sense, morally charged communication is often rigid and divisive, and leaves little room for mediation. Our morality allows us to frame ourselves as heros for our own actions and claims of ownership, while judging those that disagree with us as not just wrong, but as evil. Georg argues for the benefits a more amoral society, and points to humor as an antidote to moral outrage, and righteous anger.

 

►Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3fh159MqlQs

 

►For more information about Georg: https://fah.um.edu.mo/hans-georg-moeller/

 

►I highly recommend checking out Georg's own YouTube channels Carefree Wandering and Philosophy in Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@carefreewandering/videos https://www.youtube.com/@philosophyinmotion/videos

 

►You can get a 20% discount on Georg's book `You and Your Profile: Identity After Authenticity', by using the promo code CUP20 on the Columbia University Press website: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/you-and-your-profile/9780231196017

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode focuses on the upsides and downsides of using morality as a social tool for establishing and maintaining power, ownership, and hierarchy. If you find these discussions valuable then please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. 

Moral Blindness, Political Division, and Bull$&%t | Philipp Huebl | Escaped Sapiens #48

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Professor Philipp Huebl about moral myopia, political division, and the spread of "bull$&%t" and misinformation. Bull$&%t, in this case, is something that lies somewhere between lies and truth, or something created by those that are indifferent towards the truth. Philipp is a visiting professor in philosophy and cultural studies at the Universität der Künste. We discuss why fake news and conspiracy is so captivating, and the tribal psychology that makes us susceptible to misinformation and ethical blindness. Our conversation also covers the role that shared morality plays in shaping society, the connection between morality and emotions, and the spread of political division and fake news.

 

►View on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/2_zTQN6nghA

 

►For more information about Philipp: https://www.udk-berlin.de/person/philipp-huebl/

►Philipp's books can be found here: https://www.amazon.de/Philipp-H%25C3%25BCbl/e/B00OA1DFR0%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode in focuses on the impact of human individual and group psychology on the development maintenance of stable democracies. If you find these discussions valuable then please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. 

Exploring the Illegal Trade in Human Organs | Frederike Ambagtsheer | Escaped Sapiens #47

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Professor Frederike Ambagtsheer about the illegal trade and trafficking in human organs. Frederike has a background in criminology and public international law, has a doctorate on organ trade, and is currently researching organ trafficking at Erasmus MC's Transplant Institute in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In this conversation we discuss what is currently know about the trade in human organs, focusing on the kidney trade. We cover the experience of some of the victim groups, how operations and transactions take place, and some of the health and financial implications of the trade. Our main focus is the impact of criminalization on human suffering. In particular, we explore whether evidence based alternatives to prohibition might exist that have better population health outcomes.

 

Note: At around 7:50 and 8:32 Frederike talks about “voluntary” kidney sales using air quotations to indicate that the voluntary nature of donations is extremely questionable, and often occurs under severe financial duress or various forms of coercion. The audio only version has been edited to make these air quotations more explicit.

 

►Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YvgsZFEw8z4

 

►For more information about Frederike: https://www.organtraffickingresearch.org/team/frederike-ambagtsheer/

 

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. This episode in focuses on building healthy and sustainable societies in the face of an aging population, and in particular on the larger ethical and societal implications of criminalizing demand driven products that society finds morally objectionable. 

What is money and who rules the world? | Yanis Varoufakis | Escaped Sapiens #46

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Yanis Varoufakis about the role of banks and politicians. Yanis is an economist, politician, author and Secretary-General of MeRA25. He is perhaps best known for his role as the Greek Minister of Finance during the Greek credit crisis. In our discussion we cover some fairly big questions: When banks are bailed out, who really foots the bill? Who are the winners and losers during inflation? Are those that control the means of production still the dominant class? Why powers do politicians really have? What might a non-exploitative social economy look like in practice and is there a peaceful way to get there? 

► https://youtu.be/IccRwqTThMU

►For more information about Yanis: https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/

►Follow Ola on Twitter: @yanisvaroufakis

These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests. 

 

The Atomic Priesthood and Messages From the Dead | Ola Wikander | Escaped Sapiens #45

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Ola Wikander about the field of “Nuclear Semiotics”, the scholarly discussion concerning communicating information about nuclear waste disposal into the far future. Ola is a Ugaritologist, Hebraist, Semitist, author, and Senior Lecturer at Lund University. He specializes in ancient languages and religions of the near east, and in particular the texts of Ugarit, which was a city state destroyed c. 1185 BC.

 

Assuming we work out a secure way of dealing with our nuclear waste, how do we let our descendants 10,000 years into the future know that that is what we have done, bearing in mind that the oldest written text is only around 5,000 years old. In 10,000 years our descendants will likely live in an entirely different symbolic universe. Borders (if borders still exist) will have shifted, our political systems will be entirely new, and none of the languages spoken today will be recognizable. Furthermore, even if we can make our message understandable, there is no guarantee that our descendants will listen or care. Museums all over the world are filled with deceased kings warning people not to move their bodies.

 

The discussion begins with the history, texts, religion, and destruction of Ugarit, as well as the links that Ugarit had to the early texts and religion of the israelites. It ends with nuclear waste, and the difficulties of transmitting information into the distant future. We cover some of the more unique suggested solutions to the problem, including `Atomic Priesthood', proposed by linguist Thomas Sebeok, a semi-religious council, responsible for passing on knowledge down the generations through artificially created ritual-and-legend.

 

Note: At around 13:00 minutes into the video we discuss techniques for learning new languages. Despite what was said in the video, there have been new developments: lately, an online lesson series teaching Ugaritic by immersion has actually been started by Benjamin Kantor - see here: https://biblicalhebrew.com/tv-show/immersion-ugaritic/

 

►Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/WvCmG0w8vko

 

►For more information about Ola's research: https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/ola-wikander

 

►Follow Ola on Twitter: @OlaWikander These conversations are supported by the Andrea von Braun foundation (http://www.avbstiftung.de/), as an exploration of the rich, exciting, connected, scientifically literate, and (most importantly) sustainable future of humanity. The views expressed in these episodes are my own and those of my guests.

Many thanks to Bill Edwards for suggestion the topic of this interview.