Beyond Obsolete is a podcast about staying human in the age of AI. Hosted by Ben Hayes, a designer and creative technologist, and Grayson Genders, a strategist across politics, health and energy, it explores creativity, purpose, and identity in a world of accelerating change. We’re at the edge of a new renaissance—where powerful new tools need timeless ideas.
These are honest conversations about where we’re headed, and how we stay human along the way.
#27 Futurist: Morris Misel - Human Expectations vs. AI Reality
In this conversation, we delve into the multifaceted impact of AI and technology on daily life, exploring personal experiences, the role of futurism, and the implications for mental health and leadership. They discuss the illusion of time savings with technology, the importance of modeling technology use for future generations, and the need for a balanced approach to human-machine interaction. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of understanding our relationship with technology and making deliberate choices moving forward. In this conversation, Morris discusses the intersection of human experience and technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding past traumas and future anxieties. He shares his journey from being a counselor to becoming a futurist, highlighting the role of technology in agriculture and the necessity of trust in AI. Morris also delves into the significance of intuition in decision-making and concludes with his perspective on finding purpose in life, advocating for a positive outlook on humanity's potential.
27 Nov 2025
#26 - Advertising is Dead?
In this conversation, Ben Hayes discusses the transformation of advertising, emphasising how creativity has been overshadowed by metrics and data-driven approaches. He reflects on his experiences with Google ads, expressing a sense of disconnection from traditional advertising's artistic roots. Hayes argues for the importance of creativity in advertising, suggesting that while metrics play a role, they should not replace the artistic essence of the craft.
13 Nov 2025
Cryonics and the Future of Preservation | Author John R Carlos
What if Michael Crichton’s techno-thrill met the moral gut-punch of Black Mirror—told by a real Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander? That’s the pulse of Cryonic Dreams: a propulsive debut that moves between the present day and 2169, where the world’s first human reanimation cracks open a conspiracy about who gets to live, who decides, and what we’re willing to trade for “progress.” Think ecotropolis city-states, surveillance-by-design biotech, and a breakthrough powerful enough to rearrange geopolitics—wrapped around a very human story about memory, consent, and identity.
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