Episode Details

First up: Think the world is running out of oil and scarcity will force us into using clean, renewable energy? Dream on. Beneath the sea there’s a substance called ‘methane hydrate’ which, by some estimates, is twice as abundant as all other fossil fuels combined. Not only would this crystalline natural gas multiply global warming, it would alter the world economy profoundly. Next, in our “public intellectual” segment, Brian hears how racial inequality persists even when there is no racism. Then, Brian questions the need for more STEM guest-worker visas. Some argue that plenty of Americans are available for work in science & engineering, and companies just want cheap foreign labor. Finally, we find out which online company protects us best from the long arm of the law: Facebook, Google, Apple, or Twitter?