Big Ideas

ABC

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. −14 H

    Moral revolution — Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's BBC Reith Lecture 4 — Fighting for humanity in the age of the machine

    Humanity is facing an existential risk posed by unchecked tech and AI. But what if these technologies were used, not to increase the wealth and power of individuals, but to shape a better future — for everyone. Rutger Bregman's fourth BBC Reith Lecture, Fighting for Humanity in the Age of the Machine, was recorded with a live audience at Standford University in the United States, and first aired on the BBC on 16 December 2025. Speakers Rutger Bregman Historian, author, Humankind: a hopeful history, Utopia for Realists (and how we can get there), and Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer Anita Anand (host) BBC Radio 4 journalist, co-presenter (with William Dalrymple) of Empire: World History podcast, and author, The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge, and India's Quest for Independence, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary and more

    1 tim

  2. −1 D

    Moral revolution — Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's BBC Reith Lecture 3 — A conspiracy of decency

    Do you dare to dream of a world that is different? From the Fabians to the Neoliberals, small groups with big ideas, perseverance and long-term vision, have conspired to transform societies, systems and governments. Where are they now? Rutger Bregman's third BBC Reith Lecture, A conspiracy of decency, was recorded with a live audience in Edinburgh Scotland, and first aired on the BBC on 9 December 2025. Speakers Rutger Bregman Historian, author, Humankind: a hopeful history, Utopia for Realists (and how we can get there), and Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer Anita Anand (host) BBC Radio 4 journalist, co-presenter (with William Dalrymple) of Empire: World History podcast, and author, The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge, and India's Quest for Independence, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary and more

    1 tim

  3. −2 D

    Moral revolution — Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's BBC Reith Lecture 2 — How to start a moral revolution

    Do you have the power to change the world? Do you think the world needs changing? In the past, eras of corruption gave birth to transformative movements, such as the 19th Century campaign to abolish slavery. A look at history shows us that small, committed groups can, and have, sparked moral revolutions. Rutger Bregman's second BBC Reith Lecture, How to start a moral revolution, was recorded with a live audience in Liverpool and first aired on the BBC on 2 December 2025. Speakers Rutger Bregman Historian, author, Humankind: a hopeful history, Utopia for Realists (and how we can get there), and Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer Anita Anand (host) BBC Radio 4 journalist, co-presenter (with William Dalrymple) of Empire: World History podcast, and author, The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge, and India's Quest for Independence, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary and more

    1 tim

  4. −3 D

    Moral revolution — Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's BBC Reith Lecture 1 — A time of monsters

    Rutger Bregman believes we are living in a time of moral decay, in a world governed by un-serious elites. But history shows us that we have been here before, and just like in past times, we can overcome it again. Rutger Bregman's first BBC Reith Lecture, A Time of Monsters, was recorded with an audience in London and first aired on BBC Radio 4 on 25 November 2025. Speakers Rutger Bregman Historian, author, Humankind: a hopeful history, Utopia for Realists (and how we can get there), and Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer Anita Anand (host) BBC Radio 4 journalist, co-presenter (with William Dalrymple) of Empire: World History podcast, and author, The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge, and India's Quest for Independence, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary and more Further information: Historian berates billionaires at Davos over tax avoidance - The Guardian, 30 January 2019 BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith lecture - The Guardian 28 November 2025

    57 min

  5. 5 FEB.

    The history of money — with Irish economist David McWilliams

    It makes the world go round, but it's also the root of all evil. It hasn't always had a great rap, yet most of us would like more of it. From clay tablets to coins, credit cards to crypto, for 5000 years, money has shaped our world. This podcast episode was originally recorded on 8 October 2025 at The Wheeler Centre. Discover more talks and bold conversations by following The Wheeler Centre wherever you get your podcasts or at wheelercentre.com. Speakers David McWilliams Economist, author, The History of Money: A story of humanity, host, The David McWilliams Podcast, and co-founder of the world's only economics and stand-up comedy festival Kilkenomics Jacinta Parsons (host) Co-host (with Brian Nankervis), The Friday Revue, ABC Radio Melbourne, author, A Wisdom Of Age: Lessons on living from our wise elder women and more

    55 min

  6. 3 FEB.

    Bob Brown on the role of defiance in the climate crisis — with Gardening Australia's Hannah Moloney

    For more than 50 years, Dr Bob Brown has been breaking and making laws to protect the environment. Now aged 81, he is hoping to give strength to new generations who are facing the climate and extinction crises front on. This event was recorded at the Theatre Royal Hobart on 1 October 2025. Speakers Bob BrownPresident, Bob Brown FoundationFormer Greens Senator for Tasmania (1996-2012)Author, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders Hannah Moloney (host)Presenter, Gardening Australia, permaculture educator, community worker, designer, author, Why We Garden: On the Joy and Wonder of Growing Things, Even when We Don't Have to (out in March 2026) Further information: Tasmania's Forgotten Opera Star Returns: Amy Sherwin Statue Unveiling and Festival

    55 min

  7. 2 FEB.

    War is changing and the laws meant to protect civilians aren't cutting it anymore

    International humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, was meant to protect civilians from the worst of war. But in today's wars civilians have become targets, and the rules meant to shield them are breaking down. What happens when the law of war no longer works? And can it be rebuilt to protect civilians once again? Presented by the American Academy in Berlin. Speakers Oona HathawayGerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law, and Founder and Director of the Center for Global Legal Challenges at Yale Law School; president of the American Society of International LawAuthor of War Unbound: Gaza, Ukraine, and the Breakdown of International Law Daniel BenjaminPresident of the American Academy in Berlin

    54 min

  8. 29 JAN.

    Stan Grant — when words fail us, reclaiming the language of love

    Most of us, in our lives, will witness things we cannot comprehend, when words fail to do justice to the moment. In those moments, to whom or what can we turn? To God? To philosophy? To music? To ourselves, or to our fellow humans? In a noisy world, Stan Grant wrestles with the fragility of language, and the power of silence, and of listening, to find a path to connection, compassion, and love. The Simone Weil Lecture on Human Value was held at the School of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. Speakers Stan GrantProfessor of TheologyVice Chancellor's Chair of Australian/Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt UniversityAuthor, Talking to My Country, The Queen is Dead, Australia Day and the soon to be published, When Words Fail Us: Truth beyond time (May 2026, UNSW Press)

    57 min
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Om

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

  • Skapad av
    ABC
  • Aktiva år
    2006 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    1,4 tn
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Programmets webbplats
    Big Ideas

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