Tomes will tell: books that predict the future
Some people read books to escape. Others turn to them for instruction. As the new year looms, our correspondents – and listeners – consider which titles can help forecast what’s coming next. Picks include “Rainbows End” by Vernor Vinge, “Nuclear War” by Annie Jacobsen, “Not the End of the World” by Hannah Richie and “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey. This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show:“Rainbow’s End, A Deepness in the Sky and A Fire upon the Deep” by Vernor Vinge“Ageless” by Andrew Steele“War” by Bob Woodward“Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jackobson“1984” by George Orwell“On Freedom and On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder“A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers“Qualityland” from Marc-Uwe Kling“Ministry of the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson“Severance” by Ling Ma“Land of Milk and Money” by C Pam Zhang“The Broken Earth Trilogy” by NK Jemisin“Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey“The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” by Carson McCullers“Ancillary Justice” (The Imperial Rasch Series) by Ann Leckie“The Battle of Dorking” by Sir George Chesney“War of the Worlds" by HG WellsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 Dec 202436min
Good moos: cows could help the climate
Cows produce far more milk in rich countries than in poor ones. Our correspondent explains how beefing up bovine productivity could feed more people and reduce planet-heating emissions. Why Spain is the best-performing rich-world economy of 2024 (11:28). And remembering Harold Palmer, the Northumbrian hermit (17:12).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24 Dec 202423min
The club rules? India’s RSS
Is it a community-minded boys’ club, like the Scouts? A breeding ground for seething Hindu nationalism? A paramilitary puppetmaster of India’s governing elite? Our correspondent attends the annual bash of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. As Gulf countries diversify away from oil, their leaders are shifting their focus to science and innovation (11:03). And introducing our word of the year for 2024 (17:01).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 Dec 202423min
Country of the year: The Economist picks
In the past 12 months, there has been no lack of news. Editors at The Economist have picked their way through the rubble to uncover some optimism: which country has seen the greatest improvement this year? After fierce debate, the decision is conclusive. And our correspondent joins an unusual rescue mission: the pet railroad to a new life (17:00). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 Dec 202427min
Between Estonia and a hard place: NATO meets
At the icy border between Russia and Estonia, the anxieties of NATO member states are clear, our correspondent reports. Leaders there have been debating defence spending and worrying about America shifting its support. Young people are seeking out spirituality on their phones (9:43). And why the iconic Californian condor is under threat (16:47).Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 Dec 202423min
Mass graves: revealing Syria’s horror
Ten days after the fall of Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad, the full brutality of his rule is being uncovered. Our correspondent travels to a site near Damascus, thought to be a giant mass grave. Will France’s new prime minister restore stability (14:37)? And The Economist’s guide to the best films of 2024 (21:28).Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 Dec 202429min
Scholz fired: Germany calls snap election
After Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, lost a confidence vote in parliament yesterday, Germany is preparing for a snap election. Urban waste is a growing problem in India; our trash-talking correspondent visits one of the few cities that have tackled it (9:49). And Fortnum & Mason’s festive fancies help it buck the trend of failing department stores (17:06).Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Dec 202421min
Off-side: Georgians reject new president
This weekend, the ruling Georgian Dream party elected a new president – but only one name was on the ballot. That sparked further street protests, as our correspondent reports. Why a new US administration will find it hard to cut costs at NASA (12:19). And the enduring appeal of the martini (19:42).Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16 Dec 202426min
