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Past, Present, Future

8 episodes 94%4KCC

Where ancient ingenuity meets the technologies reshaping tomorrow.

From legendary surgery in ancient China to robotic operating rooms, plant-based burgers, psychedelics, AI music, and future transit, this series connects breakthrough ideas to their deeper origins. Each episode reveals how today's innovations echo older ambitions, making every leap forward more surprising, more human, and more worth exploring with a subscription.

Episode guide

8 episodes
1
1The Past, Present, and Future of Surgery
Hundreds of years before antibiotics or even a general understanding of infectious bacteria, the legendary Chinese physician Hua Tuo performed miraculous surgical operations. Today, doctors perform increasingly complex surgery that is only possible with the support of advanced robotics.
11 min
2
2The Past, Present, and Future of Sports
Sports and competitions have always been a core aspect of humanity’s development. While modern sports are evolving thanks to technology, the line between digital and reality has become blurry.
12 min
3
3The Past, Present, and Future of Food
Large factory farms produce food for the masses with one caveat; they’re terrible for the environment. In an attempt to remedy this, chefs and scientists are working together to create a future where what we eat is as sustainable as it is delicious.
14 min
4
4The Past, Present, and Future of Comedy
Comedy has always been a way for people to make sense of the world around them. Nowadays, comedians get syndicated shows for calling out corrupt politicians, and social media meme accounts hold up a mirror to current society. As the world gets more complicated, how will comedy continue to evolve?
12 min
5
5The Past, Present, and Future of Hallucinogens
While psychedelics were originally seen as a tool for spiritual enlightenment and healing, new research and studies are revisiting psychedelics to reveal their potential clinical and therapeutic impact. What does a future with prescription psychedelics look like?
14 min
6
6The Past, Present, and Future of Music
We use music to nurture our children, comfort the sick, and worship the unseen. Music is inherently a human act, but today, artificial intelligence and algorithms have gotten more and more involved in music production, distribution, and even marketing.
15 min
7
7The Past, Present, and Future of Communication
From the first written word to the Internet, we’ve continued to innovate how we communicate with each other. As time progresses, we’re able to share information faster and faster. What happens when technology advances to the point that ideas and thoughts can be shared instantly?
15 min
8
8The Past, Present, and Future of Transportation
From empires to major metropolitan cities, transportation has been crucial. As cities grow more congested and overwhelmed with toxic air, how will future transportation help get us where we need to be?
15 min
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