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Artwork for Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Dr Waseem Akhtar
Migration
Nobel Prize
Two Great Ideas
Climate Change
Racism
Social Change
Panpsychism
Consciousness
Artificial Intelligence
Language
Archaeology
Domestication
Neanderthals and Denisovans
Public Image Of Science
Science Communication
Subjectivity
AI Fairness
Metaverse
Moon
Ethics Of Space Colonization

In-depth conversations with researchers, explorers and thought leaders from around the world, on cutting edge research and original ideas.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes98Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceTechnology

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Artwork for Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Latest Episodes

The human brain evolved for a prehistoric world, not for the demands of the digital age. Yet modern technologies constantly compete for our attention. They exploit ancient systems linked to reward, emotion, comparison, and survival. In his new book, ... more

Evolution is often described as a process of constant improvement. Yet many features of human biology challenge this assumption. Genetic diseases remain common. Large parts of our DNA appear to serve no clear purpose. Pregnancy is also highly ineffic... more

The universe may appear chaotic. Yet beneath this apparent disorder lies a vast network of rules. These rules shape patterns of action, force, and consequence. In “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe”, popular science writer Brian Clegg examines t... more

How does the brain produce consciousness? Why should electrical and chemical activity in the brain give rise to thoughts, emotions, colors, sounds, and the feeling of being alive? Despite major advances in neuroscience, the inner nature of experience... more

Achieving meaningful and sustainable social change is a complex task and a demanding challenge. Many of the most urgent problems, such as climate change, racism, and poverty are structural. They arise from collective practices, including laws, econom... more

We are entering a new era of space exploration—one in which, for the first time, large numbers of people may travel beyond Earth. Some may even choose to remain there. This raises important questions: how will the extreme conditions of space affect t... more

The idea that evolutionary theory applies far beyond biology is not new. Yet one major obstacle to the broader acceptance of a generalised evolutionary theory is our tendency to begin with biology and extend outward from it. This approach obscures an... more

The metaverse is no longer a distant concept. It is unfolding now, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, big data, and immersive digital technologies. As it reshapes how we work, interact, and create value, it presents significant opportunit... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Cytowic
Professor of Neurology, George Washington University
George Washington University
Episode: “Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload” with Professor Richard Cytowic
Laurence Hurst
Professor of Evolutionary Genetics
Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath
Episode: “The Evolution of Imperfection: The Science of Why We Aren’t and Can’t Be Perfect” with Professor Laurence Hurst
Brian Clegg
Science writer and author of Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe and Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World
Independent author / science communicator
Episode: “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg
Philip Goff
Philosopher and consciousness researcher at Durham University
Durham University
Episode: “Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness” with Professor Philip Goff
Alex Madva
Professor of Philosophy at Cal Poly Pomona; Director of the California Center for Ethics and Policy and Co-Director of the Digital Humanities Consortium
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Episode: “Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change” with Professor Alex Madva
Scott Solomon
Biologist, science communicator, teaching professor at Rice University
Rice University; Smithsonian Institution
Episode: “Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds” with Prof. Scott Solomon
Mark Vellend
Professor of Biology at University of Sherbrooke, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
University of Sherbrooke
Episode: “Everything Evolves” and the Generalised Evolutionary Theory with Professor Mark Vellend
Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
Expert on AI and big data, behavioral science and future of work
Harvard Law School; Kennedy School of Government; UN ITU; People Culture Data Consulting Group
Episode: Building a Thriving Future: Navigating the Metaverse and Multiverse with Dr Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
Michael Gurven
Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
Episode: “Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer” with Professor Michael Gurven

Host

Dr. Vasim Akhtar
Host of Bridging the Gaps

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload” with Professor Richard Cytowic
Q: What practical steps can individuals take to reduce digital distraction and improve well-being?
Limit blue-light exposure before sleep, create device-free times and spaces, cultivate silence and nature exposure, and engage more in real-world social interactions to restore meaningful connections and reduce cognitive overload.
“Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload” with Professor Richard Cytowic
Q: Why is multitasking so costly and is it possible to truly multitask?
Multitasking is largely illusory; attempting to perform multiple attention-demanding tasks drains working memory and slows performance, so focusing on one task at a time yields better outcomes.
“Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload” with Professor Richard Cytowic
Q: What drives the brain's energy usage and why does it matter for our relationship with screens?
The brain burns a large portion of calories to maintain structure and basic signaling, leaving little energy for higher-order thinking; this helps explain why constant distractions tax us more than we realize and why we should design or choose environments that cut down on needless interruptions.
“The Evolution of Imperfection: The Science of Why We Aren’t and Can’t Be Perfect” with Professor Laurence Hurst
Q: Some listeners worry about the cost and accessibility of future gene therapies; do you see these technologies becoming cheaper over time?
Costs may decline as patents expire and competition increases, but true affordability will depend on policy, pricing models, pharmacoeconomic assessments, and global access initiatives to prevent treatments from being available only to affluent regions.
“The Evolution of Imperfection: The Science of Why We Aren’t and Can’t Be Perfect” with Professor Laurence Hurst
Q: How do we balance the incredible potential of CRISPR-based therapies against risks like immune reactions and off-target effects?
The balance requires rigorous testing, transparent reporting of adverse events, investment in safer delivery mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks that prioritize patient safety while allowing for innovation to proceed.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series features deep conversations with researchers, scientists, and thought leaders tackling big questions at the frontiers of science, technology, and human knowledge. Episodes frequently explore space biology, evolution, artificial intelligence ethics, science communication, aging and longevity, and philosophy of mind, often tying empirical findings to practical implications for policy, governance, and society. A notable strength is the rigorous integration of research with accessible storytelling, including interdisciplinary threads that connect biology, technology, culture, and future-focused challenges. Listeners can expect thoughtful, evidence-based discussions with prominent academics and researchers, along with provocations ab... more

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1. The Joe Rogan Experience

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this podcast launched 11 years ago and published 98 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Richard Cytowic
2. Laurence Hurst
3. Brian Clegg
4. Philip Goff
5. Alex Madva
6. Scott Solomon
7. Mark Vellend
8. Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio

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