When Will AI Empty Your Dishwasher? (with Nicholas Thompson)

When Will AI Empty Your Dishwasher? (with Nicholas Thompson)

Author: Next Big Idea Club May 21, 2026 Duration: 54:05
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and host of "The Most Interesting Thing in AI," joins Rufus and Caleb to explain why the machines may master our minds long before they master our muscles — and what that gap tells us about where AI is headed. Along the way: why human podcasters still beat AI ones, how Nick learned to stop worrying and love open source, and where he'd point an infinite AI budget. 🎧 Check out Nick’s previous appearance on the show here. 📦 Join the Next Big Idea Club and we’ll send you a copy of David Epstein’s new book, Inside the Box, and an invitation to a members-only Q&A with David on May 26. Learn more at nextbigideaclub.com/ 🔗 SPONSORED BY: Granola ➡️ If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months. Just head to ⁠granola.ai/idea⁠ Incogni ➡️ Protect your personal information online and get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at ⁠incogni.com/nbi⁠ Quince ➡️ Refresh your spring wardrobe and get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/nbi⁠ Shopify ➡️ Launch your business for just $1/month. Start selling today at ⁠shopify.com/nbi⁠

Each week on The Next Big Idea, hosts Rufus Griscom and Caleb Bissinger sit down with authors and researchers whose ideas are shaping our culture, education, and understanding of society. The conversations are guided by a unique group of curators-Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink-who help frame these discussions around the most compelling new concepts in science and social thought. This isn't just an interview podcast; it's a deep exploration of the books and theories that have the potential to shift perspectives and spark meaningful change. You'll hear the stories behind the ideas, the personal journeys of the thinkers, and practical insights that extend beyond the page. The dialogue is structured yet spontaneous, offering listeners a genuine sense of being part of a substantive conversation. Episodes are released every Thursday, providing a consistent dose of intellectual curiosity. The podcast is produced by the Next Big Idea Club, an organization dedicated to surfacing and discussing transformative knowledge. Whether you're looking to understand the nuances of human behavior, the latest scientific discoveries, or the forces driving social change, this series serves as an accessible gateway to complex topics. The aim is to make big ideas feel relevant and engaging, without oversimplifying their importance. Tune in for a thoughtful break from the noise, where the focus is entirely on understanding what comes next.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Next Big Idea
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 57:59
"This Is Really Bad." That's the not-so-comforting headline of Stephen Witt's mega-viral New York Times essay about a dawning realization among Silicon Valley researchers that "AI may no longer be entirely within human c…
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Duration: 1:07:15
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The Art of Fighting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:08
We’ve gotten very good at cutting people off. But have we forgotten how to work through our differences? In The Art of Fighting, bestselling author and conflict resolution expert Priya Parker challenges the idea that dis…
Is America a ‘Country of Lords’? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:12
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A Storytelling Masterclass with Will Storr (NBI Vault) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:41
Will Storr is the author of the dazzling books The Science of Storytelling and A Story Is a Deal, and in this episode, he tells us everything he knows about humanity’s greatest invention: story. More than just entertainm…
What Can Henry David Thoreau Teach Us About Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:33
Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher, poet, and pencil-maker. He was a great resigner and, above all, a superb writer whose masterpiece, "Walden," is considered by many to be America's first environmentalist manifesto.…
How French Philosophy Wired Modern Thinking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:12
How did a group of notoriously difficult French philosophers become intellectual rock stars on American college campuses — and how much do their ideas matter today? In The Frenchmen, writer and editor Emily Eakin traces…
A Nobel Prize Winner’s Plan to Save Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:08
Democracy is in the dumps. OK, that's a bit dramatic. But it's definitely not working as well as it used to. Good thing Daron Acemoglu — Nobel laureate, MIT Institute Professor, and one of the world's most-cited economis…
How to Unlock the Creativity You Already Have [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:26
What if creativity isn’t a talent you’re born with, but a muscle you’ve simply stopped using? In Daily Creative, Blythe Harris and Mallory May make the case that everyone is creative — even the people convinced they can’…
Caroline Webb on the Leadership Skills AI Can’t Replace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
Want to be a better leader? Start by doing less. In her new book, Leadership Intelligence, Caroline Webb shows how smart delegation, ruthless prioritization, and the right time management techniques can help you make bet…