Typical race baiting, pro trans agenda pushers

I enjoy this exploration of possible futures and the author clearly invests a lot of time and energy to create a great show. I also find the approach frustratingly uneven at times - sometimes the author dives very deep on a narrow aspect of an issue, but leaves significant questions unexplored or unasked. Either way, consider my thoughts provoked. From an editorial perspective - I've disliked most of the music used on this show, and I don't understand the ongoing focus on "seasons" of the show.

I’m disappointed with the lazy, one-sided “care institutions are bad” take. You tried to present an alternative, but you failed to set up a fair presentation of the actual problem in the US. I worked as a care giver 20 years ago in Seattle and the state run institutions, despite their problems, were much more responsible and humane than the private entities offering “choice” while severely understaffed and lacking any kind of training, OT, or PT. I worked in both and I would never buy the snake oil from these private companies that easily convinced you to demonize “institutions”. Do a little more homework next time.

This is very thought provoking. Well worth the wait. I listened to them all and all endings make you think. Thank you!

I love the concept behind this show. Using fiction to explore important topics affecting society today is such a useful approach, but I don’t enjoy every episode. Personally, I don’t see much value in exploring the more “crazy,” space-pirate-y episodes. It’s like listening to someone describe their dreams to you. There’s just no point. But overall I do believe this is a valuable show that can shed light on some very important challenges facing humanity in the near future. One major problem I have with the show is the use of purported “experts.” After listening to 3 seasons it’s become clear that many of these “experts” are nothing of the sort, and that they were only chosen because it was convenient. Maybe they wrote a book, or they run an organization, but they are decidedly NOT experts and they’re really just on the show to spread their own opinions. For instance, the episode about mechanized suits was very heavy with “experts” saying how they disagree with the idea that mechanized suits will “fix” the handicap “problem” in the world today. Obviously this entire mindset is terrible and offensive, but the only people I ever hear saying that robotics can “fix” handicaps are the people upset about how robotics can “fix” handicaps. I’d be surprised if any manufacturer, company, marketing firm, agency or group would EVER use such offensive language. In fact, I’m quite sure they go out of their way to make sure they NEVER use such offensive language. So where does this idea come from? I believe it comes from people who assume the worst and create their own battles to fight, even when none exist. That episode is full of “experts” raging against invisible foes of their own creation. Another episode, the one about what if the US funded the arts like FDR did, is also problematic to me. The intro was so fanciful I thought it was a joke. The President on a Saturday morning type talk show? But it seemed to be entirely serious. “Experts” really were saying that the arts are “necessary for our survival.” That’s quite an easy thing to say when you don’t have to worry about paying for life-saving prescriptions each month, or worry about how you’ll feed your children this week, or if you’ll even be able to afford for them to get an education. Art is only “necessary” once all the other truly necessary needs have been met, and we are a long way from being there. Yet this idea was never expanded upon in the episode. The entire episode seemed to be accusatory towards the government for not spending enough on the arts, even mentioning the trillion dollar deficit at one point, but never using that as a reason why our leaders are possibly distracted with more important issues at the moment. I am an artist myself, and I learned a lot from that episode, and I totally agree with Rose’s stance for the most part. But I don’t think the arts are more important than other social programs. And if we can’t even get those right then we certainly shouldn’t be trying to advocate for MORE money to go to the arts. As Rose explained, we already spend more than ever on the arts. Spending even more money is not the answer. But this was never brought up. Never mentioned. Never talked about. One topic that keeps popping up is obesity. For some reason that I can’t explain Rose believes obesity is not, in fact, a problem in America. I’m sure there are some fringe scientists, or more accurately fringe authors, who are very convincing in their argument that obesity does not negatively impact a persons health. But no matter how convincing this idea is, it is a proven fact that obesity is detrimental to the health of a human being. Obesity kills. Obesity causes numerous medical conditions that can be prevented simply by putting less stress on the body (i.e. losing weight). I am a trained medical professional and am very knowledgeable on this subject. I have read the studies. The peer-reviewed studies. There is no doubt in my mind that obesity leads to premature death. And we are facing an epidemic of obesity in this country today. It may hurt your feelings to be called fat, but that doesn’t mean obesity is healthy. If there is a problem here it is cultural, not medical. I find it sad and quite frankly scary that the host of this podcast can so easily be swayed by fake science. Rose, even if you do believe this in your heart of hearts, you should at least try to sound more critical considering you’re the host of a science-based podcast. The show has potential, and I really do enjoy it and hope for much success in the future, but it is not always a fair and balanced show. I would like to see more real experts, and fewer social justice warriors pretending to be experts. But that’s just me. Thank you, Rose, for such an amazing show. I hope you’re able to continue to make more episodes!

I loved this show the moment I found it. To this day the intro music puts a smile on my face. The shows are well thought out and really fun. Seriously, there are so many episodes that you will undoubtedly find something that intrigues you. But be warned, once you listen you will get hooked! I’m sad that the show is done, but I know that Rose has something incredible up her sleeve so I’m excited for the FUTURE!

Been listening a long time and the robots miniseries has been one of the best yet. The intros were particularly well done, and super-professional! Looking forward to FF2.0 and the discord (I’m not on FB) ^.^

Flash forward is one of my favorite podcasts. It sparks my imagination of all the possibilities in our future. One possibility I never considered was the awesome host Rose would no longer make future Flash Forward episodes. I’m sad to hear it is wrapping up but hopeful for future projects from Rose.

This program often covers some very good topics, but the hosts tend to take a very liberal approach and are quite naive about how people react behave.

It is hard to distill in to words how much I deeply love and admire this podcast, and value all the hard work that goes into it. It combines so many things that I enjoy and reminds me why I love to learn. Most importantly it has changed the way I think about the future, what higher praise is there than that! I will follow the Flash Forward team to whatever comes next for them! Thank You, Rose

Packed full of knowledge, skits, and thought-provoking questions

I love this podcast, it makes my inner child (Denisita) super happy. In a world where almost everything can be googled, it’s refreshing to be able to ponder about the future, how I used when as a kid. I enjoy the layout of each episode. Thank you for the time and energy you put into each episode, quality is chefs kiss 😘 🤌🏽 *Shared with my therapist she loved it too!

As well as being a support of Rose Eveleth on Patreon, I eagerly listen to her episodes as soon as they come out. So well-informed and also imaginative!

We use the suppositions presented as jumping off points for creative writing pieces. So thought-provoking.

This show has a lot of great ideas and there are some episodes that really shine out. However, I do think that it would be nice to get out of some of the same conversations that seem to appear in episodes over and over again. I’m listening to this show for it’s interesting ideas and I hope that it grows even more.

Every episode is amazing, save for the one about smart cities it’s just kind of… Not even ridiculous just blatantly anti-capitalism and sort of mushy? Which is absolutely not the case with any of the other episodes.❤️

I've been listening to Flash Forward for several years now, and cannot recommend it highly enough. The in depth reporting and research on societal issues behind the topics is outstanding- a private wish is that Rose Eveleth is granted a honorary degree by a respected university. This podcast is informative, fun to listen to, and well crafted. Thank you for making it :))

Loved the Feb 2 update - the short tidbits about current events in conjunction with the previous show episodes are great :) i just started listening recently, and I LOVE that I don’t feel lost at all - very easy to jump right in without prior knowledge or hearing previous episodes!

My friend sent me the episode about giving the land back, and WOW, I was blown away by how thorough and informative it was. I learned so much and I’m really grateful. The concept of this podcast is fascinating. I really dig this.

Great stuff!

So well done. Fascinating topics. Love the host. (Ps one of your guests ended up being the perfect person to talk to for my thesis so THANK YOU)

Rose is a pleasant host with a good sense of humor. But if you want to know what might happen try Brave New Planet, Freakonomics of Sam Harris. The homesless episode brought out all the same arguments you'd hear on NPR but data free and all from one side. Nothing on the effect on the debt, landlords, corruption or anything from the real world. Not surprising as I think the speakers were all academics. Jobs for all episode was even lighter. This show is like a gazillion other podcasts on the right and the left who play to their choirs. If you're on the left, expect to be affirmed, but not challenged. If on the right, you'll last about 5 minutes. It's too bad someone with Rose's talent can't operate outside the bubble; we could use more insight into the real complexities of these issues.

Back to the future

I listened to one episode of this podcast after the ladies at Popular Science who host “The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week” recommended it. I then binged all five years of the show! Wonderful and fun podcast.

Excessive vocalization by the host is annoying and detracts from the excellent content. No need to try so hard. Please.

This podcast is so much fun! Rose does such an amazing job at combining creative futuristic ideas with real world scientists and exploring what could or could not happen. It’s always fun to listen to and I would highly recommend this podcast to all age groups!

I love this podcast so much it is creative, and funny. Rose is an amazing host

What is y2k

I am excited to have found this podcast via Brave New Planet. This is so good. I enjoy the topics and the hypothetical that are presented seem not so far from now. The way it always comes back around to where we are now just brings my high down, but it’s necessary to always come back down and explore what is actually possible.

Everything about this podcast is good. The topics are interesting. Rose has a lovely voice. And I find the calm, thorough way she contemplates the ideas she explores both soothing and satisfying.

I love thinking about the future, and Rose has helped me understand how future technologies, events or policies might actually work- and the importance of considering the impacts on all types of people. It’s happened several times that I see the name and description of the episode and go into it with a certain opinion or understanding and leave more open minded and educated!

Every episode of Flash Forward explores interesting things. Things that I've usually never thought of before. But Rose takes that and explores it in the most wonderful way. The intro scene, the research and conversations, the experience of unwrapping the topic to reveal a very nicely thought out argument for the future, all make for an excellent show.

I listen to podcasts on my way to and from work... got introduced to this incredible funny clever creative driven woman by ‘Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week’ trio when they had her on the show. Rose is awesome and this show is amazeballs. I love it. If you like science and have a curiosity bone in your body, you’ll love it too. Rose rocks it.

😶😐😑

I really tried liking it, but all of the episodes I listened to were annoyingly narrow-minded and trying too hard to sound politically correct to hit buzz words. There could be so many possibilities done with the concepts. If the issues were delved into their cores, you don’t need your exclamatory high-pitched voice to sugar coat the messages to make them sound earth-shattering. Don’t waste your time on these missed opportunities.

This show is fascinating it really explores the future, what could happen and how you can prepare for any number of possibilities

Love it

Itsa good

This is a new review becasue I still love this show and every time Rose asks for a review I want to send more love for the show her way. It is insightful, though provoking and full of science, which I love on it's own. The formate of dramatizing the future and then looking at how we might end up there is kinda brilliant.

Incredibly thoughtful research and reporting on potential futures

Boring and small in scope. Use it to fall asleep.

Love the podcast! It’s incredibly thought out and a joy to listen to.

I’ve been binge podcasting this show for the last few weeks and I have yet to skip an episode! Each episode is packed full of entertaining and useful information and it really gets your brain thinking. Rose has a voice that’s really easy on the ears and she also does a great job of objectively representing all sides of a story and different perspectives. Also, I wish I could give her more stars because you can tell she really puts a lot of effort into each episode.

This is a podcast that is both entertaining and informative. The presenter is great to listen to, clearly enjoys her work, and makes esoteric stuff clear. I particularly like how they get several views on each subject — they get the positive slant from the people who are doing whatever, and then critical and alternate voices on where it might not work or apply, or who it might affect. Having this brings things into much better focus, and is a lot more interesting for it. Try it, you’ll like it!

Very good insights. Well rounded guests.

New time listener. I dig the podcast idea and format. My only frustration is the host’s narration. Her diction is excellent but the way she speaks sounds artificial and stunted. The guests don’t have this speech pattern. It feels like she is reading a prepared text... perfectly diction-wise. Some room to improve.

One of my favourite podcasts and always gets me thinking about new things. Rose mentioned on the latest episode that some reviewers see the show as “too dark” but personally I think it’s a great mix of curious future scenarios mixed with some necessary ethical questions to consider. I think it’s perfect the way it is!

I love listening to this podcast, especially with other people. It makes for great conversations about the future. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone who thinks about the future (so basically everyone).

Flash Forward is one of the best podcasts around. Host Rose does an incredible job researching futures and relaying them in a riveting, well rounded story. My favorite thing is how carefully Rose seems to choose her guests, making sure she takes multiple perspectives into account and always seems to find diversity of all kinds-race, ability, gender, sexuality, etc. I also really appreciate that ethics are always a part of the conversation. Never in a way that is doom and gloom or “this is why we shouldn’t do this”. Always in a way that says “Hey! This is super cool! Also let’s think about these things so we can have the coolest thing possible and have as few negative scenarios as possible.”

I love this podcast. Very interesting future scenarios and facts based in science from expert guests. The host puts a lot of work into this podcast and explains things very very well, but very slowly. It is so slow that it sounds unnatural with pauses between words and a strange cadence. I am not one to complain about a podcasters vocals, but sometimes I have to stop listening because it starts bugging me and I can’t hear anything else. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could because it does take away from my enjoyment of this show but I rounded to 5 because the content is very good.