The Most Important Question

By Important, Not ImportantSociety & Culture Science Technology

The Most Important Question episodes

April 10, 2018 #12: Can algorithms predict the next major pandemic?
In Episode 12, Quinn and Brian ask: Can algorithms predict the next major pandemic? Pretty please?

Joining us: Dr. Sam Scarpino, Assistant Professor of Marine & Environmental Sciences and Physics and a core faculty member in the Network Science Institute at Northeastern University.

We discuss whether, and if so, how advanced algorithms and data science can help predict and prevent the next major pandemic.

Also, the importance of a liberal arts education, bad wifi in 2018, and my wife’s iPhone.

Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!

Links:

Dr. Sam Scarpino on Twitter

Sam’s book selection: On Immunity: An Inoculation

Dharma.ai

Quinn Emmett on Twitter

Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter

Intro/outro by Tim Blane

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Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 23 min
April 03, 2018 #11: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action?
In Episode 11, Quinn & Brian ask with fingers crossed: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action?
On the mic: David Hawkins, director of the climate program at the National Resources Defense Council, and the man basically responsible for you breathing clean air most days. So, you’re welcome.
We discuss David’s history of working to safeguard the planet, but more specifically, his thoughts on the futuristic but necessary technology that is carbon capture, and whether we can pin our hopes on it. Stay tuned for his thoughts on using your voice and vote to move the needle.
Also: yodeling.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Links:
David Hawkins on Twitter
NRDC.org
https://echo.epa.gov
Enter a city or state name or zip code and it will crank out a facilities list.
For example, put in Houston, TX and hit the search icon.
On the right hand side there will be a count of facilities with violation info (eg, 154 with significant violations).
You can select one of those items and a list of individual facilities will be retrieved.
Next, click on a facility of interest to get more detail.
Next, vote your representative out of office.
Have a nice day!
The Invention of Nature by Alexander Humboldts
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Quinn Emmett on Twitter
Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter
Intro/outro by Tim Blane
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Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 14 min
April 03, 2018 #11: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action?
In Episode 11, Quinn & Brian ask with fingers crossed: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action?

On the mic: David Hawkins, director of the climate program at the National Resources Defense Council, and the man basically responsible for you breathing clean air most days. So, you’re welcome.

We discuss David’s history of working to safeguard the planet, but more specifically, his thoughts on the futuristic but necessary technology that is carbon capture, and whether we can pin our hopes on it. Stay tuned for his thoughts on using your voice and vote to move the needle.

Also: yodeling.

Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!

Links:

David Hawkins on Twitter

NRDC.org

https://echo.epa.gov

Enter a city or state name or zip code and it will crank out a facilities list.

For example, put in Houston, TX and hit the search icon.

On the right hand side there will be a count of facilities with violation info (eg, 154 with significant violations).

You can select one of those items and a list of individual facilities will be retrieved.

Next, click on a facility of interest to get more detail.

Next, vote your representative out of office.

Have a nice day!

The Invention of Nature by Alexander Humboldts

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Quinn Emmett on Twitter

Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter

Intro/outro by Tim Blane

Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!

Like and share us on Facebook!

Check us on Instagram!

Follow us on Twitter!

Pin us on Pinterest!

Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!

Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 15 min
March 27, 2018 #10: The Tantrum That Saved The World
In Episode 10 (we made it!), Quinn & Brian read a picture book. And a damn good one. Introducing The Tantrum That Saved The World.
On the mic: Megan Herbert, Aussie co-author and illustrator of the popular new children’s book about climate change activism. We talk about the book, her co-author, esteemed climate scientist and science communicator Michael E, Mann, as well as modeling behavior for our kids, providing them with tools now and in the future to become agents of change, and also drinking.
Order Megan and Michael’s book right now at WorldSavingBooks.com!
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Links:
Megan Herbert on Twitter
Michael E. Mann on Twitter
MeganHerbert.com
WorldSavingBooks.com
Earth 101
Quinn Emmett on Twitter
Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter
Intro/outro by Tim Blane
Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!
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Follow us on Twitter!
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Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!
Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 14 min
March 27, 2018 #10: The Tantrum That Saved The World
In Episode 10 (we made it!), Quinn & Brian read a picture book. And a damn good one. Introducing The Tantrum That Saved The World.

On the mic: Megan Herbert, Aussie co-author and illustrator of the popular new children’s book about climate change activism. We talk about the book, her co-author, esteemed climate scientist and science communicator Michael E, Mann, as well as modeling behavior for our kids, providing them with tools now and in the future to become agents of change, and also drinking.

Order Megan and Michael’s book right now at WorldSavingBooks.com!

Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!

Links:

Megan Herbert on Twitter

Michael E. Mann on Twitter

MeganHerbert.com

WorldSavingBooks.com

Earth 101

Quinn Emmett on Twitter

Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter

Intro/outro by Tim Blane

Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!

Like and share us on Facebook!

Check us on Instagram!

Follow us on Twitter!

Pin us on Pinterest!

Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!

Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 15 min
March 20, 2018 #9: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)?
In Episode 9, Quinn and Brian cower under the desk and ask: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)?
Please meet Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases physician, Assistant Professor at Boston University, and the Director of Infection Control and Medical Response at National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory. Yeah. Exactly what you imagine. That's her job. You're welcome.
We discuss historical pandemics, modern-day factors in the growth of new and return of old infectious diseases, our current level of preparedness, zombies, Minority Report, hand washing, and of course, anti-vaxxers.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Links:
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia on Twitter
Interview with Dr. Bhadelia on interconnectedness
GHSA
Her book for Trump: Spillover
The Coming Plague
The Sixth Extinction
CDC's One Health Program
Her award-winning photo in Nat Geo
Quinn Emmett on Twitter
Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter
Intro/outro by Tim Blane
Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!
Like and share us on Facebook!
Check us on Instagram!
Follow us on Twitter!
Pin us on Pinterest!
Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!
Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 25 min
March 20, 2018 #9: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)?
In Episode 9, Quinn and Brian cower under the desk and ask: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)?

Please meet Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases physician, Assistant Professor at Boston University, and the Director of Infection Control and Medical Response at National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory. Yeah. Exactly what you imagine. That's her job. You're welcome.

We discuss historical pandemics, modern-day factors in the growth of new and return of old infectious diseases, our current level of preparedness, zombies, Minority Report, hand washing, and of course, anti-vaxxers.

Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!

Links:

Dr. Nahid Bhadelia on Twitter

Interview with Dr. Bhadelia on interconnectedness

GHSA

Her book for Trump: Spillover

The Coming Plague

The Sixth Extinction

CDC's One Health Program

Her award-winning photo in Nat Geo

Quinn Emmett on Twitter

Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter

Intro/outro by Tim Blane

Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!

Like and share us on Facebook!

Check us on Instagram!

Follow us on Twitter!

Pin us on Pinterest!

Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!

Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 26 min
March 13, 2018 #8: How do we safeguard science in American schools?
In Episode 8, Quinn and Brian ask: How do we safeguard science in American schools?
Here to answer: Don Duggan-Haas, a lifetime advocate for science education standards (he literally wrote the textbook, and yes, this is the correct use of “literally”), as well as Therese Etoka and Jai Bansal, two immigrant high school students who fought to keep climate change science a part of the Boise, Idaho public school curriculum.
Together, we form a game plan to ensure every American student gets a comprehensive science education.
Also: Black Panther, Shuri (swoon), the Justice League, James T. Kirk, thoughts on Parkland, and more.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Links:
Don Duggan-Haas on Twitter
Therese Etoka on Twitter
Jai Bansal on Twitter
Donate to send the Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change to every public school science teacher
The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (online)
The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (print)
So You Want to Talk About Race
A People’s History of the United States
Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes
Quinn Emmett on Twitter
Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter
Intro/outro by Tim Blane
Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!
Like and share us on Facebook!
Check us on Instagram!
Follow us on Twitter!
Pin us on Pinterest!
Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!
Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 21 min
March 13, 2018 #8: How do we safeguard science in American schools?
In Episode 8, Quinn and Brian ask: How do we safeguard science in American schools?

Here to answer: Don Duggan-Haas, a lifetime advocate for science education standards (he literally wrote the textbook, and yes, this is the correct use of “literally”), as well as Therese Etoka and Jai Bansal, two immigrant high school students who fought to keep climate change science a part of the Boise, Idaho public school curriculum.

Together, we form a game plan to ensure every American student gets a comprehensive science education.

Also: Black Panther, Shuri (swoon), the Justice League, James T. Kirk, thoughts on Parkland, and more.

Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!

Links:

Don Duggan-Haas on Twitter

Therese Etoka on Twitter

Jai Bansal on Twitter

Donate to send the Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change to every public school science teacher

The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (online)

The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (print)

So You Want to Talk About Race

A People’s History of the United States

Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes

Quinn Emmett on Twitter

Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter

Intro/outro by Tim Blane

Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!

Like and share us on Facebook!

Check us on Instagram!

Follow us on Twitter!

Pin us on Pinterest!

Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!

Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 22 min
March 06, 2018 #7: How can we use the ocean without using it up?
In Episode 7, Brian and Quinn ask: How can we use the ocean without using it up?
Meet Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and conservation strategist extraordinaire. And like a hundred other things, because her hobbies include saving the planet, what about you, punk?
Find out how the ocean’s doing, who should be responsible for keeping it clean, how representation is a nightmare on ocean conservation boards just like everywhere else, and finally, the seafood you definitely should and should not be eating.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Links:
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Twitter
Ocean Collectiv
Dr. Johnson’s work for National Geographic
Dr. Johnson on FundingTheOcean.org
Will the Ocean Ever Run Out Of Fish? (cartoon)
Seafood Watch by Monterey Bay Aquarium (app)
Billion Oyster Project
Quinn Emmett on Twitter
Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter
Intro/outro by Tim Blane
Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!
Like and share us on Facebook!
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Follow us on Twitter!
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Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!
Ok that’s enough good lord
1 hr 30 min

About The Most Important Question

From the publisher's feed

The most important question in today's world of climate chaos, AI psychosis, and crumbling democracy is: what can I do? Your host, Quinn Emmett is completely unqualified to answer it, so he's calling the people that already are.