Big Ideas

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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
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Big Ideas

Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. Grab your front row seat to the best live forums and festivals with Natasha Mitchell.

  1. 12 HR AGO

    SOS Democracy with Niall Ferguson and Barrie Cassidy — Is democracy doomed?

    Ninety years ago, in the face of communism, fascism, and the Great Depression, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, asked the question 'Is democracy doomed?' Today, we're asking that same question – with some answers that might surprise you. The 2024 Robert Menzies Oration was presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, recorded on 23 October 2024. The 2024 Henry Parkes Oration was recorded at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on 22 October 2024. Speakers Sir Niall Ferguson Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University Barrie Cassidy Chair, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    54 min

  2. 13 HR AGO

    SOS Democracy with Scott Stephens — Saving democracy with decency

    Democracy is in retreat, authoritarianism on the rise. But this has happened before. So how did big thinkers of the past respond to the threats to democracy, and what can we learn from them? The Humanities Research Centre 50th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture was recorded at the Australian National University on 31 July 2024. Speakers Scott Stephens Co-presenter (with Waleed Aly) The Minefield Digital editor, ABC Religion and Ethics Co-author of Quarterly Essay 87, Uncivil Wars: How Contempt is Corroding Democracy (2022) Editor of Justice and Hope: Essays, Lectures and Other Writings by Raimond Gaita (2023) Dr Kim Huynh Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Deputy Director of the Humanities Research Centre

    55 min

  3. 1 DAY AGO

    Spielberg, a tuba, and a shark named Bruce — the cultural impact of Jaws

    When you're swimming in the ocean, do you ever startle at a piece of seaweed? Mistake a wave for a fin? Does the thought of sharks cross your mind at all? Nearly 50 years ago, a little movie by the name of Jaws, changed everything. This event was recorded at the National Film and Sound Archive, in partnership with the Australian National University, on 28 February 2024. Speakers Dr Hannah Calich Postdoctoral research fellow, Australian National University Professor Kenneth Lampl Convenor, Composition for Film and Video Games, School of Music, Australian National University Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens Senior Lecturer in Science Communication, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science Head of Popsicule, ANU's Science in Popular Culture and Entertainment Hub

    52 min

  4. 2 DAYS AGO

    Brain amoeba, weird worms and the wild world of the parasites (inside you too!)

    Remember the 8cm living worm found inside a woman's brain last year? Where the hell did it come from? Parasites have bizarre and whacky stories to tell. Join Natasha Mitchell to meet three scientists listening to what they have to say. The science, medicine, and mayhem of parasites. You'll have a whole new respect for these clever survivors and their biology. Thank you to the event organisers, the 2024 World Science Festival Brisbane and Queensland Museum  Speakers Professor Katherine Andrews  Parasitologist, malaria researcher  Founder of the That’s RAD! Science project      Author of My mum is a parasite scientist. That’s RAD!  Associate Professor Vincent Ho  Gastroentorologist  The Gut Doctor (GutDr) on Youtube  Western Sydney University  Dr Terry Miller  Ecologist and parasitologist  Head of Biodiversity and Geosciences at Queensland Museum

    54 min
  5. SOS Democracy with Fintan O’Toole — The US elections and the politics of self-pity

    3 DAYS AGO

    SOS Democracy with Fintan O’Toole — The US elections and the politics of self-pity

    Irish Times columnist and author Fintan O'Toole draws on the Irish experience to explain the rise of populism and authoritarianism in the United States. This event was recorded at the Vice-Chancellor's Democracy Forum at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) on 26 September 2024. Speakers Fintan O'Toole Columnist with the Irish TImes Literary Editor with the New York Review of Books Author of We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958, Heroic Failure: Brexit and the Politics of Pain, and Ship of Fools: How Stupidity and Corruption Sank the Celtic Tiger Professor of Irish letters at Princeton University Anna Funder (host) Author, Wifedom, Stasiland, All That I Am Luminary and Ambassador, UTS Roy Green (host) Emeritus Professor and Special Innovation Advisor, UTS Former Dean, UTS Business School

    54 min

  6. 4 DAYS AGO

    From pointe shoes to jockstraps – David McAllister lifts the curtain on the secrets of ballet

    David McAllister invites you backstage and reveals gloriously gossipy anecdotes about the stars he's met in his long dancing career. But it's not all tutus and tiaras: ballet is at the top of transforming sport science. Presented at the Brisbane Writers Festival. Speakers David McAllister Guest artistic director of the West Australian Ballet, former principal dancer, former artistic director of The Australian Ballet Author of Ballet Confidential: A personal behind-the-scenes guide, Thames & Hudson Australia 2024 Leanne Benjamin Queensland Ballet's Artistic Director, former principal dancer

    50 min

  7. 17 OCT

    The dangerous rise in antisemitism – Sharon Nazarian

    The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has fought against antisemitism worldwide for over a century. It is now documenting a dangerous rise in antisemitism, and the connection between conspiracy theorists, white supremacy, pro-Palestine anti-war protests, and hate speech. ADL board member, prominent Iranian-American Jewish philanthropist and academic Dr. Sharon Nazarian presents the inaugural Gahl Hodges Burt Lecture in Policy at the American Academy in Berlin. Speaker Dr Sharon Nazarian  Board member and former Senior Vice President for International Affairs, Anti-defamation League (ADL) Founder, Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, University of California Los Angeles

    54 min

  8. 16 OCT

    A plea for peace in the Middle East — Louise Adler and Nasser Mashni

    Two Australians who are intimately connected to the conflict in the Middle East, one Jewish, one Palestinian, make their pleas for peace, and share their deeply personal stories of how it has affected them. The 13th annual UN International Day of Peace Brisbane lecture was recorded at St John's Anglican Cathedral on September 21, 2024. Speakers Peter Cat Dean, St John's Cathedral Brisbane Louise Adler Director, Adelaide Writers Week Nasser Mashni President, Australians for Palestine Further information Olive Kids

    54 min
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4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. Grab your front row seat to the best live forums and festivals with Natasha Mitchell.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC listen
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2024
  • Episodes
    1.4K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Big Ideas

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