Fighting The Future

About this episode

The episode discusses the political turmoil in the United States as it enters 2026, featuring insights from technologist Ramez Naam.

An erratic President, a bungled raid on American cities, two fatal shootings by ICE agents, a massive protest by thousands of citizens in Minneapolis and other US cities, and flood of dishonest and misleading statements by Presidential aides and cabinet members: the United States begins 2026 in utter turmoil. Technologist and author Ramez Naam joins the Futurists to share his perspective on the political unrest in American civil society and the collapse of governance norms. Are populist forces fighting against a future defined by accelerating change? Is this a desperate attempt to restore society to a mythical past that never existed? Or is something more sinister afoot? What are the long term effects, domestically and internationally? The discussion includes a range of views on American chaos and some lively debate about the long term implications.

People in this episode

Hosts: Brett King, JP Nicols, Jason Henrichs

Guest: Ramez Naam

Topics covered

• political unrest
• governance norms
• populism
• American civil society
• long term implications
• social protests

Keywords

• political unrest
• governance
• populism
• American society
• 2026
• protests
• Ramez Naam

Mentioned in this episode

Places: United States, Minneapolis

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• The Company of the Future with Tatyana Mamut · May 22, 2026 · 60 min
• Back to the Moon · May 15, 2026 · 46 min
• The Geopolitical Divergence · May 8, 2026 · 58 min
• Everybody’s Robot Fighting · April 27, 2026 · 38 min