The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… The Future

The Infinite Monkey Cage

BBC

Comedy, Science

4.7 • 9.4K Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2024

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We know the universe is rapidly expanding but what happens if other galaxies disappear from view? That’s what Eric Idle wants to know as he ponders the future and what it holds in store. Solar scientist Lucie Green says this is not worth dwelling on because we’ll all be wiped out by an asteroid at some point anyway, which leads to a discussion about whether anywhere is still safe. Away from physics, Brian Cox and Robin Ince learn that one of the major contributors to global warming is the urinal cooling industry, which raises important questions about human stupidity. Should we let another species have a go? Chris Addison reckons dolphins might do a better job than we have but admits there are some major logistical issues.

New episodes will be released on Wednesdays. If you’re in the UK, listen to the full series on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF

Producer: Marijke Peters Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Episodes featured: Series 22: The end of the universe Series 3: Apocalypse Series 13: Climate Change Series 19: The future of humanity Series 15: The human story: How we got here and how we survived

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast I'd like to introduce myself. My name's
0:04.0	Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport
0:07.5	podcasts. I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with leading
0:11.1	journalists, experienced pundits and the biggest
0:13.3	sports stars. Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights
0:17.4	straight from the player's mouth. But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is
0:22.0	our unique access to the sporting world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.9	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.5	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:35.2	BBC Sounds, Music Radio Podcasts.
0:40.3	I'm Brian Cox.
0:41.6	I'm Robin Inch and welcome to another episode of the infinite monkeys guide too.
0:46.0	Now today it says in the script we're going back into the past which we can't do.
0:51.0	Well I suppose we're saying it as in we're revisiting the past not physically using a time
0:57.6	machine but by listening to archive material.
1:00.9	Okay. Right. Is that acceptable to you? Okay, today we're going back into
1:04.1	past to see what we used to say about the future. Because of course Brian has
1:09.1	proved himself something of a Nostradamus. No, you know how have you've you've
1:12.4	refuted the laws of physics made
1:14.3	literally no correct predictions. None. That's a relief then. Because otherwise I
1:20.5	was thinking the laws of physics be able to get rid of all those episodes.
	...

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