Donald Trump is establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He wants it to rival the country's stockpile of gold. He boasts America will one day be the "Bitcoin superpower of the world", but what's his end game and what will it mean for future global finance? Questions are already being asked about why he's chosen to largely deregulate the cryptocurrency sector and whether his family's personal crypto interests are now driving US policy.GuestsAssociate Professor Larisa Yarovaya — Director of the Centre for Digital Finance, University of SouthamptonProfessor Robert Elliott — Professor of Economics, University of BirminghamDr John Hawkins — senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of CanberraMaximilian Brichta — Communications, University of Southern California
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Can the oceans solve our carbon removal problems?
There's been growing research and investment in projects that use the oceans to artificially remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such techniques involve both a biological and a chemical approach.To date, carbon removal technologies have been largely land-based, using giant air-purification machines, or planting trees to consume and store carbon. Those efforts have struggled to gain scale and acceptance. So, will a marine-based approach make any difference? It's a controversial idea and not without its difficulties.GuestsBrad Ack — CEO, Ocean VisionsJames Kerry — Senior Marine and Climate Scientist, OceanCare; Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at James Cook UniversityRomany Webb — Deputy Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law SchoolRachel Rose Jackson — Climate Campaign Director, Corporate Accountability
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YouTube turns 20; and the interesting side of boredom
YouTube is the second biggest website in the world, containing more than 14.8 billion videos. It's been a huge success, but its public image as a haven for influencers and digital monetisers belies its true character and role. Ryan McGrady from the University of Massachusetts takes us inside the online behemoth. Also, perspectives on boredom, its purpose and prevalence; its relationship to time, and why the measures we undertake to fight boredom so often backfire.GuestsIsabella Lee — Production assistant, Guardian AustraliaDr Michael Inzlicht — Professor of Philosophy, University of TorontoDr Maria Balaska — Philosopher and Research Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire and Åbo Akademi University (Finland)Dr Ryan McGrady — Senior Research Fellow, Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure, University of Massachusetts at AmherstFuture Tense — The vicious cycle of fear and anger — and how it traps society
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Remember the Jevons Paradox!
We like to think that increases in efficiency lead to greater sustainability – to lower resource use. But from cars to computers to bitcoin, it seems the reverse is true – efficiency stimulates demand. It’s an oft forgotten rule of economics called the Jevons Paradox, and it might explain why the demand for almost everything keeps going up even while we simultaneously fret about over-consumption. Also, would you accept a parcel from a stranger, take it on the bus or train with you, and then deliver it to another stranger for a small fee? It might sound dodgy when you put it like that, but it’s part of an emerging delivery trend call “crowdshipping”. And proponents say it’s about reducing the environmental impact of transport. GuestsDr Blair Fix – Political economist, York University (Canada) Dr Adam Dorr – Director of Research, Rethink Professor Lynette Cheah – Chair of Sustainable Transport, University of the Sunshine Coast Further informationBlair Fix article - A Tour of the Jevons Paradox: How Energy Efficiency BackfiresAdam Dorr’s article - Rethinking the Jevons Paradox: why more clean energy efficiency is good for the environment
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The power and peril of the optimistic mind
Human beings have a bias toward optimism, says astrophysicist turned author and editor, Sumit Paul-Choudhury. While we may not always acknowledge it, the power of optimism is what drives our species forward. But beware of the modern craze for "Manifesting" — wishful thinking, no matter how intense, only has impact if it's married to action. Also, why we need to rethink globalisation's bad rap. International relations expert, Inanna Hamati-Ataya, argues there are no pure cultures and globalisation is really the means by which humanity flourishes.GuestsProfessor Inanna Hamati-Ataya — Chair of Global International Relations, University of Groningen, The NetherlandsSumit Paul-Choudhury — author, editor and Managing Director, Alternity LimitedAssociate Professor Laura D'Olimpio — School of Education, University of Birmingham, United KingdomFurther informationInanna Hamati-Ataya's article on globalisation Laura D'Olimpio's article on manifesting Sumit Paul-Choudhury's book The Bright Side
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