Before us, after us, and without our realizing it: geology, ecology, and biology uniquely record human activity. Geoscientist Miles Traer, co-host of the podcast “Generation Anthropocene: http://www.genanthro.com” uncovers the many “natures” of the
 San Francisco Bay Area that exist beneath our feet. “The Geological Reveal: How the Rock Record Shows Our Relationship to the Natural […]

In a special daytime event co-authors Neal Stephenson (“Anathem”, “Seveneves”) and
 Nicole Galland (“The Fool’s Tale”) discuss their novel “The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.” with Long Now’s Alexander Rose on the day after it was released. It’s a book that features ancient texts,
 19th century technology, time travel, 
a language expert protagonist, and magic.

The problem of the unknowable future is matched by the problem of the unchangeable past. Both are solved by the dream of time travel. The peculiarities and paradoxes of time travel are explored in imaginative detail in science fiction, even though it doesn’t exist, or maybe especially because it doesn’t exist. Grappling with the idea

What tools & concepts do climate, health and security authorities rely on to evaluate potential crises? An anthropologist of science & medicine asks how preparedness became the norm for experts charged with managing uncertain futures. Lakoff’s book “Unprepared: Global Health in a Time of Emergency”: https://www.amazon.com/Unprepared-Global-Health-Time-Emergency/dp/0520295765/. This event is co-presented by the Center for Advanced

The scope of Geoffrey West’s talk is covered by the full title of his new book: “Scale: The Universal Laws of Growth, Innovation, Sustainability, and the Pace of Life in Organisms, Cities, Economies, and Companies”. It is original, spectacular work—showing how logarithmic scaling governs everything from cells to ecosystems. The same rules govern companies and

A special night of short talks about the long history and scientific background behind a most persistent malady. And the drinks that can help keep it at bay. Featuring returning Interval speakers
 James Holland Jones (Stanford), James Nestor (Deep), Kara Platoni (We Have the Technology), The Interval’s Beverage Director: Jennifer Colliau, and more. “The History

Legendary science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson: http://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info/ returns to The Interval to discuss his just released novel New York 2140. Robinson will discuss how starting from the most up to date climate science available to him, he derived a portrait of New York City as “super-Venice” and the resilient civilization that inhabits it in

By law, “speech” once meant “words,” literally. The interactions of culture, technology and the law have over time broadened that definition and expanded protections to cover images and gestures. Dr. Jennifer Petersen of UVA and CASBS review that progression and looks toward the future of whether code will be considered as speech. “Why Freedom of

It’s a lot more than “Seize the day.” We learn from the dying to push away nothing; to lose the habit of postponing things; to show up entirely; to find rest amid whatever; to go ahead and be surprised. You can look death right in the eye, tough as it is, and life lights up.

Bjorn Lomborg does cost/benefit analysis on global good. There are surprises when you examine what are the highest-yield targets in the domains of health, poverty, education, reduced violence, gender equality, climate change, biodiversity, and good governance. Reducing trade restrictions floats to the top: $1 spent yields $2,000 of good for everyone. Contraception for women is