ThinkerTank

If you can believe it, Christmas is almost here - and you're probably starting to see trees and decorations around already. This is known as Christmas creep, where people start to get on board with Christmas and the shops stocking merch earlier and earlier every year. So for the last episode of the ThinkerTank podcast of the year, join Dr Ben Hamer as he dives into what the future of Christmas cou...

COVID-19 sucked for a whole heap of reasons, one of which were border closures. But we’re making up for lost time as we head abroad in record numbers So with so many people travelling overseas, what does the future of tourism have in store for us? Join Dr Ben Hamer on today's episode to find out. Listen to our episode on the The Future Of Space Recommendations: A  link to CopenPay website, which i...

Around half the world’s population is voting in an election this year. And the one we’re all talking about is Trump vs Harris in the US. And already, we've heard multiple examples of electoral fraud and disinformation. So how are elections being interfered with, and will it be something that will ever go away? Find out on this episode of the ThinkerTank podcast where Dr Ben Hamer breaks down the f...

These days, it feels like almost every day there’s a story that is either directly or indirectly about China. Most people get that China is a powerful country, but exactly how did they get that way, and how might this play out in the future? Join Dr Ben Hamer for this episode of the ThinkerTank to learn all the ins and outs about the future of China. Recommendations: An episode of History 101 on N...

While we got to see sports like rock climbing and breaking at the Paris 2024 Olympics, 2025 has something different in store all together, with the International Olympic Committee announcing it will host eSports at the next Olympics. Join Dr Ben Hamer on this episode of ThinkerTank to talk about the future of eSports, and the unexpected way it's taking over the sporting world. Recommendations: IOC...

Imagine if you were having a baby and, before they were born, you could pick whether you wanted them to be a marathon runner or a gifted swimmer. Or perhaps likely to be good at maths. Well, it's not as far fetched as you might think. This week, Dr Ben Hamer breaks down the world of genetic modifications, and what it could mean for us. Recommendations: A blog that highlights different movies and T...

You might have heard our last episode, which was the 101 on climate change - how we’ve gotten to where we’re at and where we’re heading. There’s a lot to cover, so this is part two, and this one looks at the specific impacts - how it will affect sea levels, displace populations, change the hours we work, and alter the foods we eat. Join Dr Ben Hamer as he covers the stuff that’s happening to get a...

We’re talking more and more about climate change, and yesterday, September 25, was the International Day of Climate Action. So to mark the occasion, Dr Ben Hamer is jumping into the future of our climate, and while it’s not all doom and gloom it is a big one, so we’ve split this one in two parts. Join us for part one now which will get you across the headlines and everything you need to know about...

Currently there are some crazy things going on with our population outlook, and in many Western countries, like Australia, there will be a point where we see more grandparents than grandchildren. Not to mention the fact that kids born today are more than likely going to live into the next century, and that we're currently in a “baby recession”. On this episode of ThinkerTank, Dr Ben Hamer breaks d...

Have you heard of the circular economy? Well, it could help solve critical resource shortages in the future, but also help with reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode of ThinkerTank Dr Ben Hamer explains why it’s important we find out what it is, why it matters and what it could look like in future. Recommendations: A link to influencer Jools Lebron’s TikTok so you can se...

Women’s sport is having a moment. And for all the right reasons. It hasn’t always been the case though, and it's been a lot of struggle and hard work to get to this moment. While still a way to go, it’s important to take stock of the achievement and look at what it could mean for the future, and that's exactly what Dr Ben Hamer does on this episode of ThinkerTank. DISCOVER MORE: Link to the Female...

As this is a podcast all about the trends shaping the future, we can’t go past space colonisation. So, is living in space a realistic possibility or is our Jetson’s fantasy just that - science fiction? Today on the podcast, Dr Ben Hamer breaks down the history of our fascination with the moon and space travel, and whether we could be living on Mars one day. Recommendations: An article about how NA...

While we talk about cost of living and the price of houses a lot today, there's also the matter of just how much the houses themselves have changed. From the use of renewable energy to tech-free rooms and hot new kitchen appliances - on today's episode we're bringing you some of the cool tech you can expect and the future of homes and living. DISCOVER MORE: An article from HowStuffWorks on some de...

As we look back through history, right through to today, an unfortunate reality is war and conflict, and these days tech is playing a bigger role in combat. But could it get to the point that it results in a war with no dead? Today on the podcast, Dr Ben Hamer breaks down the future of war and the effect tech might have on conflict, from drones to AI to cyber warfare. DISCOVER MORE: A book by Bill...

Do you sometimes find yourself being a little bit of a Negative Nancy? Well, it turns out our brains are actually hardwired that way. And it’s why we all seem to have a pretty grim outlook when it comes to the future. In today’s episode, we’re looking at something a little different - that is, the neuroscience of negativity and how we can try and be a little bit more glass half-full about what the...

From France's charging motorways to Norway's impressive adoption rates, we discuss how various countries are leading the charge. Join us to uncover when Australia might reach the tipping point and see a significant shift toward electric vehicles. We also explore the history and advancements of Electric Vehicle technology, the global surge in Electric Vehicle sales, and the hurdles we still face. T...

From virtual and eco-friendly funerals to cryogenic freezing and digital immortality through deepfakes and mind uploading, we discuss the evolving landscape of end-of-life practices. Join Dr Ben Hamer as we delve into the fascinating, and sometimes eerie, possibilities for honouring and extending life beyond traditional boundaries. DISCOVER MORE: Article from the BBC, which is titled ‘Would you ge...

 In the next 30 years, food scarcity will become a major issue due to our wasteful habits. Did you know throwing out a burger wastes as much water as a 90-minute shower? Discover more about food scarcity and the future of our food in this appetising episode of the ThinkerTank Podcast. DISCOVER MORE: There’s the A-Z of Food Saving Tips from OzHarvest , which is all about what you can do to reduce y...

In this week's episode, Dr Ben Hamer breaks down the future of misinformation and fake news. Find out how governments, news agencies and schools will tackle the post-truth era. DISCOVER MORE: Check out the ABC's Fact Check site if you ever wanted to question or check the accuracy of claims by politicians, public figures, and advocacy groups. Read this article about the AI deepfake images from the...

In this week's episode, Dr Ben Hamer explains how LSD came to be, what microdosing is and how it will change the future treatments of depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders. DISCOVER MORE: Read this article from Harvard that explains the current state of scientific research on microdosing and psychedelics, including the pros and cons. Watch this  presentation from SXSW last year on How...

Join Dr Ben Hamer for a look at the state of energy in Austalia and around the world. From renewables to nuclear energy, this episode walks us through what other countries are doing and what Australia can expect in coming years. DISCOVER MORE: Read this  article from IBM on the future of renewable energy. Read the Liberal party’s press release announcing their plan for nuclear energy. The controve...

You've heard of high end fashion and you've probably heard of fast fashion, but what about 'ultra fast fashion'? Join Dr Ben Hamer in this episode as he unpacks how fashion consumption has changed over the decades, and how fashion manufacturing and consumer trends will change in the future. DISCOVER MORE: Check out this video of an influencer testing a whole heap of wacky and weird Shein products....

Everyone’s talking about housing affordability in Australia, which has been declining since the early 1980s. That’s over forty years of it getting harder and harder to get into the property market. Jump into this episode of the ThinkerTank podcast and hear Dr Ben Hamer unpack why housing affordability is such a complex issue in Australia and what the future of housing will look like. DISCOVER MORE...

A couple of years ago some Australian companies did a six-month trial of a four-day working week - and the results were incredible. In this episode Dr Ben Hamer reveals how work will change in the future and when we can expect to be working four-days instead of five. DISCOVER MORE: Read this article listing Australian companies who have already implemented the four-day working week. Check out this...

In Australia, we can expect to have lab-grown meat in our mouths in just 12 months’ time. It's being hailed as a way to combat climate change and stop deforestation, as well as addressing food shortages across the globe. Join Dr Ben Hamer as he chews through the innovations and ethical considerations of lab-grown meat and asks - would you eat it? DISCOVER MORE: Watch this video of a blind taste te...