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
How to Prevent Dementia, with Richard Restak
How to be a Supercommunicator, with Charles Duhigg
Adam Grant and Tim Harford on Achieving Greatness, Part Two
Adam Grant and Tim Harford on Achieving Greatness, Part One
Fame, Women and the Toxic Noughties
Adventures in Philosophy with Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins
Life Lessons from the Early Greeks with Adam Nicolson
The Mend is Nigh: Hannah Ritchie on How to Build a Sustainable Planet
Daniel Goleman on How to Reach the Optimal Mindset
Another Side of the Moon: How the Lunar Landscape Inspires Imagination
The Political Thought of Xi Jinping
Sotheby’s Talks: Munch, with Tracey Emin
How The Female Body Has Driven Evolution
Power Grab: David Runciman on the Reach of Corporations, States and AI
All Talk: How Dialects and Diversity Enrich the Culture of the UK
Fixing France: Nabila Ramdani on How to Repair a Broken Republic
Blazing Ambition: the Life of Margaret Cavendish
Debate: Free Will is an Illusion
Best of 2023: James Comey, Armando Iannucci and Bach vs Beethoven
Robert Peston on How to Save Democracy
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West