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Updated 27 Mar
Nature

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1 DAY AGO

Health Minister Mark Butler on kids on the NDIS through to aged care funding

The health minister also says fewer kids are now vaping because of the government's ban, which 'exploded' as a health problem during the COVID years. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

1 day ago

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27 min
19 AUG

Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien and industry chief Andrew McKellar's reform wish list

Both men say the government has a 'spending problem' and are urging the federal government to think beyond raising taxes – especially for business. Mentioned in this episode: How Australian Democracy Works 'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores. Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

19 Aug

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34 min
21 AUG

LSE IQ: is AI destroying the planet?

AI is transforming the world around us, offering increased productivity and promising to tackle difficult problems like global warming. But behind the scenes, its environmental costs are mounting. From massive energy use to vast quantities of water required to cool data centres, AI’s footprint is growing fast. So, in an age of water scarcity and climate crisis, can we justify this technological boom? As The Conversation Weekly team takes a production break in August, we're delighted to bring you an episode of LSE IQ, an award-winning, monthly social science podcast produced by a team from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Each episode they ask leading social scientists and other experts to answer one intelligent question and speak to people affected by the issues explored. Like artificial intelligence. In this episode of LSE IQ which aired in early May, producer Anna Bevan sets out to find out the environmental costs of AI. This episode was produced and edited by Anna Bevan, with script development from Sophie Mallet and on location sound recording from Oliver Johnson. Mixing help for this episode for The Conversation from Eloise Stevens. Subscribe to LSE IQ here.

21 Aug

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33 min
1 DAY AGO

The secret ingredients for creative flow

If you’ve ever experienced a state of creative flow, perhaps when writing, playing music, or even gardening, you’ll know that it feels like everything just clicks into place. But what is actually happening inside the brain? This week, we're re-running an episode first published in June 2024 featuring neuroscientist John Kounios at Drexel University in the US. He scanned the brains of jazz musicians as they were improvising, and revealed the secret ingredients need to achieve a state of creative flow. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

1 day ago

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22 min
14 AUG

Union boss Sally McManus on the push for shorter work hours in the age of AI

McManus doesn't expect instant wins on shorter work hours from next week's economic summit, but says it still needs to be on the table – along with AI protections. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

14 Aug

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18 min
13 AUG

Jim Chalmers wants roundtable to 'crack open' the challenge of slow housing approvals

Housing is on the agenda at next week's productivity roundtable, with the Treasurer wanting better regulation and faster approvals to build more homes. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

13 Aug

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35 min
14 AUG

Teaching animals irrelevant skills can reveal the secrets of cognition

Scientists can get animals to do the strangest things. They’ve taught goldfish to drive cars, primates to perform calculations with Arabic numerals and giraffes to do statistical reasoning. But what’s the point? In this episode, biologist Scarlett Howard from Monash University in Australia – who has taught bees to tell the difference between odd and even numbers – defends the importance of these seemingly ecologically irrelevant experiments. She argues that they can help us understand the secrets of animal cognition, and even potentially unlock future technological developments for humanity too. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. The host and executive producer is Gemma Ware. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

14 Aug

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22 min
16 JULY

Malcolm Turnbull on Australia's 'dumb' defence debate

The former prime minister warns debate about national security has 'never been dumber' – and AUKUS risks costing Australia far more than anyone wants to admit. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

16 July

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40 min
7 AUG

Talking about 'blokes' issues' with ex-Olympian and Labor MP Dan Repacholi

The former five-time Olympic shooter and coal miner wants men of all ages not to be afraid of speaking about their health – as he used to be. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters The Conversation Weekly Search for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.

7 Aug

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25 min
31 JULY

YouTube, podcasters and leading economists: Allegra Spender on how she's trying to influence tax reform

The influential crossbench MP warns young working people are going backwards financially. She also backs the government's proposed YouTube ban for kids – for now. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

31 July

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29 min

Listen to experts explain the world around us and tell the stories behind brand new research. Podcasts from The Conversation, an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community. Shows in English, French and Bahasa Indonesia. Free to listen.

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