Since the Enlightenment, humanity has turned to science to answer profound questions about who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed. However, we've become stuck in the belief that we can fully understand the universe by viewing it from a detached, external perspective. In focusing solely on external physical realities, imagined from t…

As fresh algorithms and new analytical methods emerge, existing datasets can uncover insights beyond their original purpose. Regardless of their intended use, data often possess hidden potentials and always have a “secret life”. “How this data will be used, by other people in other times and places, has profound implications for every aspect of our…

As humanity sets its sights on venturing beyond the confines of Earth, it is immensely important to acknowledge that the journey to space is not merely a technological feat, but a profoundly human endeavour. From pinpointing destinations to preparing flight plans, from developing generational ships to designing habitats, from selecting teams to est…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most remarkable advancements of our time. It is a powerful evolving technology that has transformed the way we interact with machines and perceive the capabilities of computer systems. However, with this newfound power comes a natural apprehension. There is a noticeable fear surrounding the uni…

Amina Akhtar, author of Almost Surely Dead is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Amina’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writer's of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

Has human behaviour pushed our world to the edge, especially the mistaken belief that the earth’s resources are infinite? And can a shift in human behaviour rescue us? The challenges we face, from collapsing social structures to the climate crisis, have been centuries in the making. It is immensely critical that we take immediate and decisive actio…

The most powerful tool often comes with the greatest challenges. In recent times Machine learning has emerged as the world's leading general-purpose technology, yet its implementation remains notably complex. Beyond the realm of Big Tech and a select few leading enterprises, many machine learning initiatives don’t succeed, failing to deliver on the…

Danielle Arceneaux, author of Glory Be is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Danielle’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang JazzBy Robert Justice

Science communication plays an important role in bridging the gap between researchers and the general public, fostering understanding, engagement, and appreciation for scientific explorations and advancements. In an era where science and technology shape every aspect of our lives, effective communication of research findings is more critical than e…

Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Erin’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

Shelly Ellis, author of over a dozen novels including The Three Mrs. Greys Series and Not So Perfect Strangers, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Shelly’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

We live in a society driven by a relentless pursuit of greatness, where we are constantly pushed to attain the highest levels of wealth, power, and fame. This relentless fixation on greatness leads to stress and anxiety, strains our interpersonal connections, fosters extensive political and economic disparities, and contributes to the deterioration…

We experience, thus we exist. Our conscious perceptions form the foundation of our self-awareness. They play a vital role in shaping our understanding of ourselves as sentient beings: present, alive, and significant. However, what is the origin of consciousness, and how does the process of experiencing sensations and developing a sense of awareness…

Alessandra Harris, author of the Last Place Seen, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Alessandra Harris doesn't shy away from controversial topics, and writes books that reflect the diversity of her world. In addition to writing fiction, Alessandra is an advocate for mental health and racial justice. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her h…

Smartness has permeated our lives in the form of smartphones, smart cars, smart homes, and smart cities. It has become a mandate, a pervasive force that governs politics, economics, and the environment. As our world faces increasingly complex challenges, the drive for ubiquitous computing raises important questions. What exactly is this 'smartness …

It is difficult to imagine a not-so-distant past when deadly diseases were a routine part of life. Even more astonishing is the fact that during that time, prevailing medical beliefs attributed these diseases to harmful miasmas, bodily humors, and divine dyspepsia. However, a groundbreaking revelation occurred with the discovery of the world of mic…

Kendall Square, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has earned the reputation of being "the most innovative square mile on the planet." It serves as a vibrant epicentre for life sciences, housing renowned companies such as Biogen, Moderna, Pfizer, Takeda, and many others. Additionally, it stands as a prominent hub for technology, with giants like…

Cheryl Head, author of the Time’s Undoing, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Cheryl’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

When considering the long-term survival and sustainability of human civilization, two developments hold significant implications. Firstly, humanity has been recklessly depleting resources, causing species extinctions, and degrading essential elements for life on Earth for centuries. Secondly, advancements in the science of discovering habitable pla…

The future of technology is a subject of debate among experts. Some predict a bleak future where robots become dominant, leaving humans behind. Others, known as tech industry boosters, believe that replacing humans with software can lead to a better world. Critics of the tech industry express concern about the negative consequences of surveillance …

The ancient ambition of exploring the cosmos and possibly even inhabiting other planets may one day come true, as we discover more and more exoplanets and intend to develop innovative propulsion techniques suitable for interstellar travel. Projects like 100 Year Starship and Breakthrough Starshot enable us to study the challenges involved with a vi…

Esme Addison, author of the Enchanted Bay Mysteries, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Esme’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Robert Justice’s Website

Looking for the earliest galaxies is like travelling back in time. Something that astronomers do all the time. Astronomers use huge and powerful telescopes to see not only farther and deeper into space, but also back in time. The hunt for the oldest galaxies using observational astronomy needs not only a thorough grasp of the physics and chemistry …

Sulari Gentill, author of The Woman in the Library, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Sulari’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website

The rise of the platform economy puts state-like power in the hands of platform owners with little or no accountability. Over the past few decades, the chaotic and lawless early Internet evolved into a digital reality where e-commerce and digital services platform owners dictate decisions that affect millions living in different countries and juris…

The heartbeat may be the first physical manifestation of an unborn child that can be seen six weeks after conception, and it continues roughly 100,000 times per day for as long as we are alive. Scientists and researchers have attempted to recreate the heart's flawless engineering for decades in labs all around the world, but have been unsuccessful.…

Robert Justice interviews Delia C. Pitts, author of the Ross Agency Mystery series. Born and raised in Chicago, Delia graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelor’s degree in history. After working as a journalist, she earned a Ph.D. in African history from the University of Chicago. She is a former university administrator and U.S. diplomat. Mur…

There is a widespread view that artificial intelligence is a job destroyer technical endeavour. There is both enthusiasm and doom around automation and the use of artificial intelligence-enabled "smart" solutions at work. In their latest book “Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-Machine Collaboration”, management and technology experts professor…

A single fertilised egg generates an embryo. Different cell types in this embryo develop into various organs of a new human being, including a new human brain. Everything starts with a single fertilised egg, and in the embryo, some embryonic cells develop into neural stem cells that construct the brain. By the time a baby is born, its brain is alre…

Gary Phillips, author of almost twenty novels, including Matthew Henson and The Ice Temple of Harlem and One-Shot Harry, is interviewed by Robert Justice.

What is the true nature of reality? Does the objective reality reported back by our senses paint a complete picture of the true reality? Is it possible that the world we see is not objective reality and it is just an interface to a deeper, true reality. In his book “The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes” cognitive scie…

We live in an age of increasing complexity and uncertainty. We live in a time when humanity faces extremely complex challenges. Our ability, or lack thereof, to create solutions to such extremely complicated challenges may determine our long-term survival as a civilization. The question is: is our existing style of thinking adequate, or do we requi…

Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation and Malabar House series, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Vaseem’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website

There is a consensus among the researchers in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning that today’s artificial intelligence systems are narrowly focused, are designed to tackle specialised tasks and cannot operate in general settings. An important feature of the human brain that enables us to operate in general settings, and in unf…

We are the only known species that understands species go extinct. We also understand that climate calamity, apocalyptic war, or the demise of the sun in a few billion years will all inevitably bring life on Earth to an end. So it is extremely important we do whatever we can to avoid extinction. We have a moral obligation to prevent extinction, and…

Can living scientifically empower us to navigate the complexities of today’s complex and unpredictable world? Can the joy of critical thinking and the effectiveness of the scientific method assist us in making better decisions? Can living a more rational life help us navigate modern life more confidently? In his new book “The Joy of Science” acclai…

CWoC co-founders Kellye Garrett, author of Like a Sister and Gigi Pandian, author of Under Lock & Skeleton Key return to discuss their new books with Robert Justice. Links Kellye’s Website Gigi’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeart…

Recent developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence are fascinating as well as terrifying; there are extravagant promises as well as frustrating setbacks; there is great progress in narrowly focused AI applications, and there is lack of progress in the field of Artificial General Intelligence. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps I speak wi…

Wanda Morris, author of All Her Little Secrets, is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Wanda’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

Human space exploration is challenging as well as fascinating. However, the excitement of space flight for astronauts comes at a high cost and is riddled with danger. As our robot explorers become more capable, governments and corporations must consider whether the ambition to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars is worth the cost and risk. In this…

When we think about electricity, we most often think of the energy that powers various devices and appliances around us, or perhaps we visualise the lightning-streaked clouds of a stormy sky. But there is more to electricity and “life at its essence is nothing if not electrical”. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps, I speak with Professor Timothy …

Every problem or issue raises new questions, which must be correctly answered in order to address the problem or resolve the issue. What if we could get a better answer to our most troublesome problem—at work or at home—just by altering the question? If asking right questions is essential for creative problem solving and innovation, and for effecti…

Yasmin Angoe—author of HER NAME IS KNIGHT—is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Yasmin’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

From the museums of the fifteenth century, to the public lectures of Michael Faraday in the nineteenth century, and to various science fairs & festivals of the twenty-first century, public engagement of science has evolved immensely. Public engagement of science in this age of hyper connectivity is “a multidimensional and multi-directional activity…

We all wish to have a better memory, yet there are times when it fails us. Until recently, most people, even memory scientists, believed that forgetting served no purpose. However, new research in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, and computer science paints a different picture. It informs us that forgetting is not a failure of our minds. It's no…

Aaron Philip Clark—author of Under Color of Law—is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Aaron’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

Humans have fundamental ability and cognitive resources to learn new concepts and acquire new skills and knowledge, although this may not seem natural to most of us at first. The key is to understand how the brain works so we can harness its potential by developing and adopting learning techniques that are effective and more rewarding. In this epis…

Rachel Howzell Hall—author of These Toxic Things—is interviewed by Robert Justice. Links Rachel’s Website Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website

Robert Justice—author of THEY CAN'T TAKE YOUR NAME—is interviewed by a special guest host. Links Robert Justice’s Website Crime Writers of Color Website

Anthology editors Abby Vandiver, Marla Bradeen, Steph Cha and Alafair Burke are interviewed by Robert Justice. Carolyn Wilkins and Alex Segura read from their amazing short stories. Links Midnight Hour: A Chilling Anthology of Crime Fiction from 20 Authors of Color Festive Mayhem 2: Seven Holiday Culinary Cozy Mysteries The Best American Mystery an…