Material World: How Six Crucial Substances Shape the Global Economy

物质世界:六种重要物质如何塑造全球经济

Intelligence Squared

2024-02-18

1 小时 4 分钟
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单集简介 ...

There are six crucial substances in human history, according to writer and broadcaster Ed Conway: sand, iron, salt, oil, copper and lithium. They took us from the Dark Ages to the present day. They build our homes and offices, power our computers and phones, and create life-saving medicines. But most of us take them completely for granted. As Sky News Economics Editor, Ed Conway has travelled the globe in search for the origins of these vital substances – from the sweltering darkness of the deepest copper mine in Europe to the eerie green pools where lithium originates – to uncover a secret world we rarely see. In June 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to tell their story and the little-known companies that turn raw materials into products of astonishing complexity. As we wrestle with climate change, energy crises and the threat of new global conflict, Conway argues that we need a greater understanding of the substances that underpin our lives. Speaking with Conway for this episode is Intelligence Squared's Head of Head of Programming, Conor Boyle. If you'd like to get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more. ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and what's coming up. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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单集文稿 ...

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  • Hello and welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.

  • I'm head of programming, Connor Boyle.

  • We're exploring the building blocks of how our world works today with writer and broadcaster Ed Conway.

  • Ed's book, Material World, a substantial story of our past and future, takes him on a global trip, tracking down the pathways channel raw materials such as sand, salt, copper, oil or lithium into everyday essential products such as our computers, our phones, life saving medicines and the roofs over our heads.

  • Ed is economics and data editor of Sky News and a regular columnist for the Times and Sunday Times.

  • So he knows a thing or two about how economics and commerce work.

  • I spoke to him a little while back during 2023.

  • So with no further ado, lets dive into the material world with Ed Conway.

  • We've got about 60 minutes today.