Latest Interviews
Showing 1–3 of 3 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist12 min
David Attenborough talks about his new Netflix film
David Attenborough, Sir David Attenborough, Anne McElvoy
Sir David Attenborough returns with *A Life on Our Planet* to transition his legacy from celebrating natural wonder to demanding urgent behavioral adaptation against humanity's 100-to-200-year ecological decline. He deliberately targets democratic voters rather than entrenched political leaders, arguing that establishing the intrinsic value of nature is a prerequisite for motivating the public action necessary to avert a prolonged environmental catastrophe. While endorsing the goals of youth activists like Greta Thunberg, the 93-year-old broadcaster warns that lawful compliance is essential for long-term success, emphasizing that systemic change requires shifting public opinion before legislation can effectively alter global behavior.
- The Economist14 min
Covid-19: Britain's chief of the defence staff talks about the military challenges
General Sir Nick Carter, Anne McElvoy
General Sir Nick Carter characterizes the UK's military mobilization for the pandemic as his career's greatest logistical challenge while directing the 77 Brigade to identify domestic misinformation without engaging in propaganda or managing specific topics like 5G claims. He rejects conspiracy theories regarding the virus's origin, asserts that US commitment to NATO remains unwavered despite political shifts, and warns that authoritarian actors continue exploiting the crisis to target pharmaceutical intellectual property and deepen societal divides. Despite these geopolitical tensions, Carter forecasts a united Western front for vaccine distribution and notes that Russian military activity, including frequent aircraft intercepts, continues at normal levels alongside the global health emergency.
- The Economist17 min
Why we should talk to strangers, according to Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell, Anne McElvoy
Malcolm Gladwell examines the dangers of misjudging strangers through the lens of the Sandra Bland tragedy and the Amanda Knox case, arguing that human "truth-default" instincts often fail against individuals whose external behaviors mismatch their internal emotional states. He expands this analysis to judicial systems, where algorithmic tools are proposed to augment human judgment without replacing it, and to political landscapes where candidates like Donald Trump succeed by perfectly aligning their outward expressions with public expectations of authenticity. Ultimately, the discussion highlights a global trend where increasing interactions between culturally disconnected groups make these communication mismatches more frequent and consequential.