S2017 E1 • Science fiction – Sputnik and the space race in the 1960s

The first Soviet space mission in 1957 launched a race into the future. In film and comics as well, science fiction and outer space became all the rage. The Soviet satellite "Sputnik" ushered in a new, futuristic age. For the next ten years, the future and its favorite setting, space, were more in vogue than ever before. This documentary takes a wry look into the fantastic future of the 1960s - one that is already deep in the past. On October 5, 1957, a radio signal sent America into profound shock and enthralled the world. The persistent beep of the Russian satellite "Sputnik 1" spread like wildfire around the globe. The Soviet Union had put the first ever man-made satellite into orbit around the Earth. The space age had begun. In the coming decade, the future - and its favorite setting, space - was in fashion like never before. Pneumatic space heroines appeared in science fiction comics and films and futuristic sounds conquered the dance floors. In September 1966, the future also began on German television: The launch of the seven-part science fiction series "Space Patrol - The Fantastic Adventures of the Orion Spaceship" made TV history. In short, the future had begun and was promising great things. Our documentary looks back at this utopian time between "Sputnik" and the US moon landing. How did human beings see the future - our present - half a century ago? And how did culture reflect this boundless enthusiasm for technology and optimistic belief in the future?

Première diffusion : 21 juillet 2017

S2017 E2 • Follow Your Nose - Cracking's Smell Code

Traditionally our sense of smell has been downplayed as relatively unimportant, especially in the modern age. Research shows, however, that the human body's biggest gene family, making up around 1percent of our DNA, is dedicated to olfactory processes. We can in theory distinguish between over a trillion different odours. Why the complexity, and to what purpose?. Researchers call smelling our most primeval sense. The part of the brain where odours are decoded is directly connected to the limbic system the source of memories and emotions. Our immediate reaction to a smell is as such a feeling. All humans have an individual sense of smell; there are no two identical 'noses'. What we all share, however, is a feeling of revulsion to unpleasant smells a sensation unique to homo sapiens. It turns out that the triggers are not pre-programmed in our DNA. Every society has its own cultural norms that define our perception of smells but there are also certain odours that result in identical signals being sent. Somewhat surprisingly, our olfactory receptors are located not only in the nose but all over the body: in the liver, the kidneys, and with men in the testicles. Where do our preferences and aversions for smells come from? And in which other parts of the body do odour molecules play an important role? This documentary presents the latest insights into our sense of smell.

Première diffusion : 14 janvier 2017

S2017 E3 • Will robots steal our jobs? - The future of work (1/2)

Robots and machines could soon replace humans in the workplace as artificial intelligence improves. Imagine having colleagues controlled by computers. Society is facing radical changes. Industry 4.0 - the fourth industrial revolution - is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. Artificial intelligence is constantly gaining ground. The digital era and the Internet are not just changing industrial production processes. An increasing number of jobless people are facing stiff competition from intelligent machines. One software company owner in the US even says the machines are better designed to do most jobs than people are. And that isn’t just restricted to the car industry. Workers cost money and employers are out to minimize labor costs. What will that mean? Soon there could be more intelligent robots and machines than humans and they could soon be replacing people in the workplace. Industry 4.0 poses a great challenge to the world as we know it and millions of people could lose out in the process. Find out more in 'Robitics - Impacting the Workplace'.

Première diffusion : 1 septembre 2017

S2017 E4 • Will robots steal our jobs? - The future of work (2/2)

As artificial intelligence improves, machines could soon replace us in the workplace. Are robots set to take over? Society is facing radical changes. Industry 4.0 - the fourth industrial revolution - is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. Artificial intelligence is constantly gaining ground. The digital era and the Internet are not just changing industrial production processes. An increasing number of jobless people are facing stiff competition from intelligent machines. One software company owner in the US even says the machines are better designed to do most jobs than people are. And that isn’t just restricted to the car industry. Workers cost money and employers are out to minimize labor costs. What will that mean? Soon there could be more intelligent robots and machines than humans and they could soon be replacing people in the workplace. Industry 4.0 poses a great challenge to the world as we know it and millions of people could lose out in the process. Find out more in 'Robitics - Impacting the Workplace'.

Première diffusion : 1 septembre 2017