Latest Interviews
Showing 46–60 of 124 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist14 min
The most influential books of all time
Ollie, Catherine, Josie DeLapp
Hosts Ollie, Brian Aldiss, Catherine, and Josie DeLapp analyze how foundational texts like *Frankenstein* and *A Room of One's Own* shifted cultural paradigms from divine to human agency while establishing materialist requirements for creativity. The discussion further evaluates *Pride and Prejudice* and the *Harry Potter* series for their economic and social redefinitions of marriage and childhood, noting Rowling's controversial stance on gender as a flashpoint for debating the limits of artistic expression. Ultimately, the dialogue concludes that literature functions as a vital vehicle for conceptualizing the future and preserving human joy against purely ideological critiques.
- The Economist10 min
Is China the new superpower?
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Ant, David, Ed, Alice
The analysis examines the People's Liberation Army's advanced regional military capabilities and manufacturing dominance while highlighting severe internal economic stagnation, including three years of deflation and rising youth unemployment. Although China lacks the global projection power of the United States, its strategic focus on national security and superior hypersonic technology positions it to dominate the Indo-Pacific region. Experts conclude that while Beijing will achieve significant geopolitical strength, its long-term stability faces challenges from domestic discontent and an overreliance on foreign markets that it cannot fully control.
- The Economist8 min
Why Syria might face another uprising
President Ahmad al-Shara has secured significant international diplomatic gains and sanctions relief while simultaneously centralizing power through shadow institutions that marginalize the Alawite and Druze communities. This governance strategy has exacerbated sectarian tensions, triggering over 1,500 deaths in recent violence and driving 25,000 former regime affiliates to flee as they organize new insurgencies. Despite restoring civil liberties and dismantling the Assad-era secret police, the administration's failure to provide transitional justice or economic stability threatens to destabilize the state and negate its diplomatic achievements.
- The Economist7 min
Has the world reached “peak Trump”?
Trump, John Bolton, David Rennie
A recent analysis challenges foreign expectations of normalizing Trump's political influence, highlighting instead a diminishing Republican Party grip evidenced by the rejection of filibuster-ending calls and internal revolts over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. While acknowledging significant institutional damage characterized by a "retribution presidency," the speaker asserts that Trump functions more as a destructive force akin to Pompey rather than an authoritarian capable of constitutional seizure. Consequently, the assessment concludes that although current policies require urgent correction, the underlying American system remains resilient enough to eventually repair the damage through sustained effort and long-term democratic stability.
- The Economist8 min
Could markets topple the global economy?
A recent analysis argues that the AI-driven stock market boom masks severe economic fragility, with consumer wealth exposure now exceeding 1990s levels and AI revenue falling far short of capital expenditure requirements. A potential market correction would directly impair US households, likely prompting a Trump administration to manage bailouts through discretionary lending while triggering a global recession that could shift investor preference toward Europe. As the 2026 horizon approaches, rising fears of AI-driven job displacement in entry-level roles may accelerate corporate adoption of automation technologies as a cost-saving measure amid economic downturns.
- The Economist13 min
Steve Bannon: Trump will have a third term
Steve Bannon, Trump, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Ed Carr
Steve Bannon articulates a vision for a MAGA revolution that replaces corporate control with an "entrepreneurial capitalism" dominated by populist nationalists, asserting the movement must seize and permanently defend state institutions regardless of legal or economic pushback. He predicts Donald Trump will secure a third presidential term in 2028 by redefining constitutional constraints and positions the United States as the catalyst for a global wave of right-wing victories in nations like the UK, France, and Germany. This strategy frames the current era as an existential political war where the movement will not compromise, arguing that radical action is necessary to avoid elite-managed decline and ensure the preservation of national sovereignty.
- The Economist10 min
Were we wrong about Trump's tariffs?
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Henry, John, Ed
Recent trade policies have established the highest tariff levels in ninety years, creating a significant gap between announced rates and effective collection due to supply chain shifts and business cost absorption. While the U.S. economy experienced its weakest half-year growth since 2012 with rising inflation, political dynamics are shifting toward protectionism across both parties despite bipartisan opposition from key figures like Mitch McConnell. Experts warn that arbitrary policy implementation and entrenched lobbying interests will likely create long-term structural damage and market isolation, even if an immediate recession is avoided.
- The Economist13 min
Has science finally cracked the secret to invisibility?
Alok Jha, Professor Sir John Pendry, John Pendry
Physics professor John Pendry introduced metamaterials as geometrically engineered structures capable of manipulating light paths to achieve the effects described in his "invisibility cloak" concept. This theoretical framework, initially named by Pendry's wife to aid a 2005 DARPA presentation, faced early skepticism before David Smith's team at Duke University successfully constructed a functional prototype for radar waves. The field has since evolved from resolving debates over negative refraction to experimental recreations of conditions existing near black holes.
- The Economist7 min
Mark Carney on dealing with Donald Trump
Mark Carney, Donald Trump, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Prime Minister Carney, Sani
Prime Minister Carney attributes Canada's recent economic stagnation to persistent tariff uncertainty while characterizing U.S. trade policy as a coercive "mafioso" strategy driven by President Trump. In response to this geopolitical rupture, Ottawa is pivoting toward strategic sovereignty by bolstering Arctic defense and cultivating a "variable geometry" of trade alliances to reduce reliance on the American market. This dual approach acknowledges a permanent shift toward high-tariff U.S. protectionism, compelling Canada to prioritize self-sufficiency and diversify global partnerships beyond traditional transatlantic frameworks.
- The Economist11 min
Has Mars revealed a new clue about life on its surface?
Dr Katie Stack Morgan, Alok Jha
NASA's Perseverance rover recently identified distinct mineral patterns in Mars' "Chiava Falls" outcrop that the science team voted to classify as potential biosignatures, marking the closest any agency has come to detecting ancient life. While these findings strongly suggest a biological origin due to their specific chemical arrangement, the rover's limitations require the samples to be returned to Earth for definitive analysis. This critical next step relies on the Mars Sample Return program, which currently faces budgetary uncertainty even as scientists describe the discovery as a historic scientific milestone.
- The Economist8 min
How much protein do you really need?
A recent discussion detailed the physiological role of proteins as primary structural materials while analyzing dietary guidelines that range from the World Health Organization's 0.8 grams per kilogram recommendation to sports science suggestions of up to 1.6 grams per kilogram. The presentation highlighted that excessive protein intake above this threshold offers no additional muscle growth benefits and may pose kidney risks, particularly when derived from saturated fats and processed meats. Instead of prioritizing extreme dietary calculations, experts advised combining consistent strength training with enjoyable exercise routines to ensure long-term health and muscle maintenance.
- The Economist11 min
Will AI take Apple’s crown?
Apple's WWDC showcased a major "liquid glass" visual overhaul for iOS while exposing strategic vulnerabilities in its "Apple Intelligence" rollout, which has missed promised feature deadlines and lags behind competitors like Google. The company also faces significant legal and operational challenges, including a court injunction restricting developer communication that threatens its App Store revenue and a supply chain heavily dependent on China. Despite high consumer retention in the premium market, these factors combine with a shifting AI landscape to create uncertainty for Tim Cook's leadership and the long-term valuation of Apple's hardware ecosystem.
- The Economist8 min
Why does Trump admire Saudi Arabia?
Trump, Rachana Shanbhogue, Jason
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has steered Saudi Arabia toward a foreign policy of regional stabilization and ambitious domestic social liberalization to secure the political foundation for his economic transformation agenda. While the kingdom has rapidly dismantled religious restrictions and positioned itself as a mediator in global conflicts, its effort to diversify away from oil through massive giga projects like Neom faces significant hurdles due to stubborn reliance on energy revenues and fiscal strain. Consequently, the regime's long-term stability remains precarious, hinging on its ability to successfully deliver economic prosperity to a young population while managing the risks of potential dissent and investor skepticism.
- The Economist7 min
Why US tariffs on China will hurt American shoppers
Effective May 2, the Trump administration revoked the "de minimis" exemption, eliminating duty-free status for Chinese imports under $800 and directly impacting the US market-dependent business models of fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu. Facing high tariff costs that threaten their core pricing advantages, these companies currently rely on direct shipping from Chinese hubs while navigating geopolitical pressure from Beijing against relocating manufacturing to avoid tariffs. Experts anticipate Shein and Temu will survive this regulatory shift by diversifying into new global markets and transitioning into multinational corporations despite strict US efforts to close trade loopholes.
- The Economist9 min
Is the world still working from home?
A 2024 survey by Stanford's Nicholas Bloom across 40 nations reveals that hybrid work adoption correlates strongly with cultural individualism, ranging from 1.9 days weekly in Canada to 0.5 days in South Korea. These divergent patterns have reshaped housing markets by driving suburban price surges of up to 50% while depressing urban centers, alongside increased leisure efficiency but a notable 30-minute rise in daily solitary time. Despite concerns over social isolation, the aggregate assessment remains that remote work delivers a net positive global impact by unlocking economic efficiencies in housing and providing critical autonomy for workers.