FutureTense is a radio program in Australia that I had absolutely never heard of until they decided to interview me.  It's time to remedy this for that handful of you out there that, similarly, haven't yet caught them.  Thanks to the magic of the web, you don't even have to fly to Australia to enjoy it.

Hosted by Antony Funnell, FutureTense explores 'explores the social, cultural, political and economic faultlines arising from rapid change.'  Apparently I'm a potential faultline-- a role I couldn't be happier with-- as Antony interviewed me.  They include both podcast and written transcript, a practice shared by 365DOA and NPR but, alas, not by many other sites.  It's the podcast that reads like a story!

Of course FutureTense has more than me to recommend them.  The same interview includes a JPL space architect by the name of Brent Sherwood, and Bert Ulrich, one of the curators of the current Smithonian NASA/Art exhibit.

(writes Antony) Space isn't just about rockets and satellites. It's also about art, architecture and capturing the sounds of the ionosphere! Objects, oddities and ambition.

We need more science-techie-geeky-cool radio.  Going through their back catalog of Sci&Tech sessions is a joy.  Want to know about 3D printers, or are you more concerned with why there's so much bad sci-fi?   Here's just some of what they've covered this year:

Also the link between science fiction and the American Civil Liberties Union.  Who knew?

They are, right now, the equivalent of what Wired was when Wired debuted-- fresh, risk-taking, engaging, and on the cutting edge, yet with a quick wit that ties it all together.  As a plus, you're getting an Australian perspective, which means you escape the bubble of US-centric thought that often favors hits over real change.  Worth a view, or a listen, or both.

Alex

Launching Project Calliope, sponsored by Science 2.0, in 2011-2012
News every Tuesday at The Satellite Diaries, every Friday at the Daytime Astronomer