The Life Cycle

In our last episode from ITER, we round out season 3 with an exclusive interview with the head of ITER, Pietro Barabaschi! John and Eva got the chance to chat to Pietro about what it’s like running an international undertaking such as ITER, and how one needs to have a special relationship to time itself when it comes to the search for nuclear fusion. Plus we also hear some great insights on problem solving. Born in 1965 in Milan, Italy, Pietro Barabaschi, an electro-mechanical engineer by training, has dedicated virtually his entire career to fusion research. He began his tenure as Director-General of the ITER Organization in October 2022.LINKSAbout Pietro Barabaschi www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

Take a trip, and visit the incredible site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in Provence in the south of France. In this episode, Eva and John get a tour of the huge international effort to recreate what happens in our Sun: nuclear fusion. An immensely ambitious, multi-generational project, we promise this is quite a trip!LINKShttps://www.iter.org/ www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

Our ability to create energy is everything. When looking to the future, one thing is clear—humanity needs to find ways of harnessing power that is sustainable and good for the planet. One such source of energy is similar to what powers the sun (and therefore all of life as we know it): nuclear fusion. Not to be confused with nuclear fission, fusion is a potential energy source that would be clean, efficient, and limitless. In the first of three parts, John and Eva look at the history of our understanding of this potential wonder energy and chart the development of today’s efforts to unlock the power of the sun.LINKSHistory of Fusion www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

What is it actually like to undergo IVF? What does it even entail exactly? In this episode, we hear the incredible story and journey of Caroline, a mother whose experience offers insight and hope into the current and future landscape of reproductive technology (and culture). This subject concerns all of humanity, and it's important for all us to better understand this key part of the life cycle. Caroline Wilkinson is an interiors project manager based in Surrey, UK.LINKSInformation about IVFInformation about ectopic pregnancieswww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

Sure longevity science is interesting, but what about the most pressing biological aging for half the world’s population? In this fascinating episode, Eva meets Jennifer Garrison who is at the forefront of trying to expand our understanding of the biology of aging and how it relates to reproductive health, specifcally with regard to female aging. It’s kind of shocking how far science and reproductive progress has gone in modern times, but often it’s the very day to day, real life experience of every woman that is still the least understood. Dr. Jennifer Garrison is an Assistant Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, specializing in reproductive aging and peptidergic signaling. She also co-leads ProductiveHealth.org (formerly Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity and Equality).LINKSBuck Institute for Research on Aging Garrison Lab Websitewww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

What would you do if you could live to be 100, 125 or even 150? Sure, we all may want to live forever, but what would that actually look like? How would we communicate to those around us? And not only that, is the recent longevity craze feasible or just people with too much time (and money) on their hands? In this episode, Eva meets with Daniel Ives and has an incredibly exciting and interesting discussion about what he sees as the very real, if not inevitable, space of tackling human aging in a science based way. Trust us, it’s a trip.Daniel Ives has a PhD from the University of Cambridge, and co-founded Shift Bioscience in 2017.LINKSShiftBioScience www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

We all know that the Internet is ruled by forces vying for our attention, and that often they gain our attention through highly emotive means, in ways that can seem imperceptible until they add up to massive political upheavals or indeed the very questioning of a shared sense of the Truth. What’s more, these very forces are often massive corporations that act beyond the will of any one individual, they are attuned to shareholder value and maximizing growth and profit. In this episode, we talk with friend of the podcast and advisor to Klang Games, Professor Lawrence Lessig, fresh from his TedX Talk in Berlin about how the Internet is on the cusp of reinventing our politics. But will it be for good or for bad, and what can online communities such as we’re building with SEED teach us?Lawrence Lessig is the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. Before that, he was a professor at Stanford Law School, where he founded the school’s Center for Internet and Society, and at the University of Chicago. LINKSHow AI could threaten democracy | Lawrence Lessig | TEDxBerlinwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

We are all taking part in a massive experiment for which none of us have signed up: much of the food we consume daily comes in the form of ultra-processed food, something that has been described as ‘industrially produced edible substances’. This diet is relatively new for humanity, and increasingly it’s clear that its impact on us is not always good. But what is UPF exactly, where did it originate and who is benefitting from this cheap, satiating food source that feeds most of humanity today? We talk with renowned doctor and broadcaster Chris Van Tulleken, author of the superb book Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop?Chris van Tulleken has a medical degree from Oxford and a PhD in molecular virology. He is an associate professor at University College London and a practicing infectious diseases doctor. A broadcaster for children and adults on BBC television and radio, he has won two BAFTAs and lives with his family in London.LINKSThe Book: ‘Ultra-Processed People’Podcast: Addicted to Foodwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

We thought it was about time to take stock and catch our breath. The Life Cycle podcast is about the future of humanity, but over the last five years, the future has arrived in many ways. In this episode, we take a look at how some of our guests and topics from seasons 1 and 2 have evolved and, in some cases, even become mainstream. Our guest is our Executive Producer, Mundi Vondi, whose brain we pick to uncover some of the ‘why’ in what we’re doing here.John Holten is a novelist and Klang Game’s Narrative Director. His novels include The Trains of Europe (2024), Oslo, Norway (2015), and The Readymades (2011). His writing has recently appeared in Welt am Sonntag, frieze, and The Stinging Fly.Eva Kelley is a journalist and writer. Her writing focuses on contemporary culture and has appeared in publications such as 032c, ZEITMagazin, Interview Magazine, Hearts, and SSENSE.com among others.Mundi Vondi is the CCEO and co-founder of Klang Games. He is also a visual, performance and film artist, exhibiting internationally over the years. His short films have been screened at numerous festivals including Cannes. As a fashion designer, he created over a dozen collections for his brand MUNDI.www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

We've come a long way and where do we go next?  Who will we meet along the way? The season fades out as we imagine ways to travel beyond our solar system...Thanks for the ride.Irina Mullins is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Houston Community College. She is also the creator of the ‘Cosmic Hitchhikers Hypothesis’. Cosmic Hitchhikers Hypothesiswww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

Many have heard about how the CIA introduced LSD to America, right? But did you know that they also wanted to introduce quantum entanglement and mind control? 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). David Kaiser is an American physicist and science historian. He is also a Professor of the History of Science, Technology, and Society at MIT. David is the author of multiple books, including “How the Hippies Saved Physics”. LINKSDavid Kaiser's Homepagewww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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? In this episode, John and Eva meet up with executive producer Mundi in a London pub, and get sent on a special mission to discover as much as they can about the weird and wild world(s) of quantum science. Professor James Binney  is a British astrophysicist. He is a professor of physics at the University of Oxford and former head of the Sub-Department of Theoretical Physics as well as an Emeritus Fellow of Merton College.Mundi Vondi is an artist, fashion designer and co-founder and CEO of Klang Games. He is the executive producer of The Life Cycle podcast. LINKSProf James Binney at Oxfordwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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? Peter Stevenson is Chief Policy Advisor for Compassion in World Farming, as well as a qualified solicitor. He has worked in the animal welfare sector for over three decades and played a leading role in winning EU bans on certain cages and crates in farming as well as passing EU legislation that recognizes animals as sentient beings.Dorrit Moussaieff is an Israeli jewelry designer, editor, and businesswoman. She was the First Lady of Iceland from 2003 to 2016.LINKSCompassion in World FarmingPeter Stevensonwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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? Professor Rudolf Jaenisch is a Professor of Biology at MIT and a founding member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.Dorrit Moussaieff is an Israeli jewelry designer, editor, and businesswoman. She was the First Lady of Iceland from 2003 to 2016.LINKSProfessor Rudolf JaenischWhitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchViaGenwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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. It feels like every week there's a new development in AI: in this episode we hear from this rapidly changing frontline. Including from within Klang Games itself! Constant Dullaart is a Dutch conceptual artist, media artist, internet artist, and curator. His work is deeply connected to the Internet.Sarah Al-Hussaini is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Ultimate.ai, the leading European virtual agent platform for customer support.Evans Thomas is a Game Engineer at Klang Games, who is helping build SEED, a large-scale, persistent virtual world that is pushing the boundaries of what constitutes an MMO world by offering a completely player-made universe.LINKSUltimate.aiConstant DullaartKlang Gameswww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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. LINKSNick BostromThe clicker game Decision Problems by Frank Lutz Von Neumann ProbesJohn Holten is a novelist and Klang Game’s Narrative Director. His novels include Oslo, Norway (2015) and The Readymades (2011). His writing has recently appeared in Welt am Sonntag, frieze, and The Stinging Fly.Eva Kelley is a journalist and writer. Her writing focuses on contemporary culture and has appeared in publications such as 032c, ZEITMagazin, Interview Magazine, Hearts, and on SSENSE.com among others.www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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 it we may just be on the cusp of a radical revolution in all things inebriation. Professor David Nutt is a neuropsychopharmacologist and the Co-Founder of GABA Labs. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Drug Science, a UK based independednt drug advisory committee. LINKS:GABA LabsSentiaDrug Science www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

Hear that? In the blink of an eye we could be not just contacted but overtaken by loud aliens. Are we , here on earth, quiet aliens in the universe? What is the difference exactly between loud and quiet aliens? And if we’re ever going to become loud aliens, traveling the cosmos, how would we manage such a civilisation-wide endeavor when we seem to only ever disagree, humanity's history being mainly one of war and division? Perhaps the Internet can offer a way to work together, to learn to be one world. Metagovernance could be one such tool to help us get there. In this episode Klang advisor Adam Philippson point John and Eva toward Robin Hanson about his latest theory of ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’ aliens, and Klang friends Prof. Laurence Lessig and Joshua Tan about the exciting possibilities of metagovernance. Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason Univeristy. He is the author of The Age of Em: Work, Love and Life When Robots Rule The Earth, among other titles.Joshua Tan is the executive director of The Metagovernance Project, as well as a practitioner fellow at Stanford’s Digital Civil Society Lab. He is also a doctoral student studying computer science at Oxford University. Lawrence Lessig is the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. He was also the former director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.LINKSGrabby AliensThe Metagovernance Project Robin Hanson’s HomepageJoshua Tan’s HomepageMore Info on Lawrence Lessigwww.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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 back-up Earth, ready for a reboot.Dr. Michael J. Neufeld is is a Senior Curator in the Space History Department at the Smithsonian and author of The Rocket and the Reich: Peenemünde and the Coming of the Ballistic Missile Era (1995), among other titles.Avi Loeb is a theoretical physicist who works on astrophysics and cosmology at Harvard. His newest book, Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars, is planned to be published in 2023.LINKSSpace Scouts By Adam Phillipson For All Mankind on Apple+Disneyland 1955 - Man in Space - Wernher Von BraunTom Lehrer’s "Wernher Von Braun"www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord

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 modelled 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 in the site of ancient Roman London. In this episode Eva and John get two different takes on apocalyptic story telling, figuring out if there’s something inherently human in our fascination with the end times.  Featuring: Christopher Star is professor of Classics at Middlebury College, and the author of Apocalypse and Golden Age: The End of the World in Greek and RomanThought (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2022. Chiara Di Leone is a writer and researcher, her writing has most recently appeared in NOEMA, Kaleidoscope and Tank magazine, among others.LINKSChiara Di Leone’s LinktreeChristopher Star’s HomepageReview of Prof. Star’s Apocalypse and Golden AgeDiscover Roman London www.twitter.com/TheLifeCyclePodwww.instagram.com/thelifecyclepodcastwww.thelifecyclepodcast.comwww.klang-games.comDiscord