FastForward with Alex and Ben

Mind-Reading Helmets: Reviewing 10 Year Old Tech

In this series finale episode, Ben and Alex discuss the current state of brain-reading technology as it pertains to prosthetics. Ten years ago Ben read an article about a military research project that aimed to create a helmet that could aid soldiers in communicating telepathically. He was freaked out then, but now understanding where the technology stands, it seems there was relatively little to fear. It appears that the research hasn’t gone far, but is still being pushed forward, notably by the Chinese government in an effort to read basic emotional states of public workers. While mind-reading is seemingly a dream of the distant future, the ethical questions about privacy and consent remain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Future of Transportation: Yes, Autonomous Cars… But Then What?

It’s projected that by 2050 more than 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. Yet public transportation remains one of the biggest challenges for cities like New York, DC, and Los Angeles. As we look forward to a more urbanized world, how will we cope with the population’s transportation needs? Alex and Ben discuss the nuances of autonomous cars and the lingering issues that exist (like how these cars can’t properly “see” Black people when avoiding pedestrians) as well as what the future of cities might look like. Looking beyond the current technological advances of self-driving cars and public transportation band-aids, when will our society shift from the question of “what’s good for me?” to a larger perspective of “what’s good for us?” Our hosts dream of a more collaborative world where the leaders of these decisions are focused on building the best world for our community at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Death & Dying: We’re All Gonna Die!

Alex and Ben dive into death and dying. As technology advances, we’re able to keep people alive indefinitely via machines that keep vital organs functioning. However, several problems arise in these instances, including the high cost of these medical interventions, significantly diminished quality of life, and perpetuated fear of dying. Death remains one of the topics that we avoid the most with people we love- but we’re all going to die. So, how can we instead shift our energies toward embracing this ultimate truth? Some people choose not to face it at all and invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into cryopreservation with little understanding of whether the technologies will work to re-animate humans in the long run. Alex and Ben talk about uploading human consciousness to a computer or cloud and explore how they feel about these life-extending technologies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Reproductive Technology: IVF and Genetic Modification

Alex and Ben dive into reproductive technology. 1 in 6 couples globally deal with infertility. But when it comes to reproductive technology, the access to other alternative modes of reproduction are reserved for the rich. What are the consequences for a society where only a select number of people can afford the IVF process, for instance? Genetic modifications are on the horizon which will most likely lead to “designer babies”. Who benefits from these technological advances and what are the implications for our society at large? Alex and Ben explore the ways that these methods of procreation create and enforce biases and hierarchies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Sex Tech: A Bandaid Solution to An Isolated Society?

Alex and Ben dive into the ethics around sexual technology. As new companies emerge with technology like VR sexual experiences and AI-enhanced sex robots, what are the parameters and guidelines for our intimate relationships, legislation and our children? Teledildonics, the field of sexual technocology that allows people to experience stimulation and pleasure remotely, is growing- what impact will that have on our intimate relationships and our communities at large? Alex and Ben explore the dissonance between creating legislation surrounding sex tech, in a world that still struggles to view women as sexually autonomous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]