From apps that help us swim safely to using Crispr to cut the genes of box jellyfish to technology that identifies the source of a barramundi or coral trout at the fish market, science is at the fore-shore of keeping our oceans and our lives safe.

Safer beaches and guilt-free seafood

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.

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Laura Tingle delivers the 2024 John Button Oration at the Melbourne Writers Festival, looking at how our public discourse has changed over her 40-year career – and throughout history. She explores what is to blame for the demise in civility in our public debate, and the seeming inability of our media and the political class to solve the intractable problems we face. 

This event was recorded on Saturday 11 May 2024, at the Melbourne Writers Festival, in partnership with University of Melbourne School of Government and the Faculty of Arts, and the Button family.

Speakers

Laura Tingle
Chief Political Correspondent, 730 (ABC)
President, National Press Club
Staff-elected director, ABC board

Laura Tingle — Off course discourse

Australians love a drink, or at least, that's a perception that's deeply ingrained in our national identity. But how true is it, these days? This Big Ideas explores the politics, problems, and pleasures of Australia's long and chequered relationship with alcohol.

This event was recorded at Clunes Booktown Festival on Saturday March 23 2024.

Speakers

Alex Ettling Author, Knocking the Top off: A People's History of Alcohol in Australia

Sarah MacLean Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University

Richard Gilbert Author, Thirst for Gold

Bill Garner (host) Writer, actor, academic, author Born in a Tent

Why we drink — the past and present of Australia’s relationship to alcohol

Join Natasha Mitchell and guests to grapple with some gritty paradoxes about science and religion. In this era of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and existential angst — are they serving the needs they used to?

Where is the soul in science?

When you're faced with the reality that your home, livelihoods and culture will be swallowed up by the rising seas of a warming climate, how do you respond?

Not drowning, fighting — life on the front lines of the climate crisis

You might think humans have escaped biology and evolution altogether with our strange and different ways: Women live well past their reproductive years, and we have baffling long childhoods as a species. We display a dazzling mix of selfishness and altruism, and gossiping can in fact be a strategy for survival.

Safer beaches and guilt-free seafood

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