Satyajit Das presents a provocative examination of the use and abuse of images of wild animals, and how they shape our relationships with the natural world. These pictures can create an impression of abundance and untouched ecosystems, and lull us into a false sense of security, at a time when the natural world faces ecological calamity.

The Attenborough Effect — Shaping Our Relationship With Wild Animals was presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Speaker

Satyajit DasAuthor of Wild Quests. Journeys into Ecotourism and the Future for Animalsformer banker, recognised as one of the world's leading financial thinkers.

We’re past the brink of civilisational collapse. And many environmentalists are pushing a “fake green fairytale”. Jem Bendell’s arguments have inspired the Extinction Rebellion movement’s civil disobedience pushing for climate change action. But Jem doesn’t think protest is enough now. Find out why the self-confessed eco-libertarian and author of Breaking Together: A freedom-loving response to collapse thinks we should break together not apart. Jem joins Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell at the 2024 Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI)

Speaker

Jem Bendell Author, Breaking Together: A freedom-loving response to collapse (2023)Author, Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy (2018, 2020)Co-founder of Bekandze Farm - Regenerative Training CentreFounder, the Deep Adaptation ForumBand member, the Barefoot StarsEmeritus Professor of Sustainability Leadership, University of CumbriaSenior Distinguished Fellow, Schumacher Institute

For 30 years, Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia exposed corruption and wrong doing in her country. Her youngest son, Paul Caruana Galizia, details the impact of her life, her assassination in a car bomb explosion in 2017, and how her legacy lives on.

The British Empire was once the biggest in the world. But now, some countries are cutting ties, and some want reparations. So just what is the legacy of British imperialism?

Being who we are in public (with our mental illness) is the only way to create lasting change. Amanda Tattersall is speaking about how her experience of living with bipolar has not only informed why she makes change, but how she is using her skills in collaboration to change public life when it comes to mental illness. Her recommended tools are storytelling, the sharing your lived experience, and forging solidarity through difference.

Making Change and Mental Illness — reimagining how we make a difference from the inside out was presented at the 2024 TheMHS Conference

Speaker

Amanda TattersallAssociate Professor of Practice, Urban Geography, School of Geoscience University of SydneyCo-founder of GetUp, founder of the Sydney Alliance, host of the ChangeMakers podcast

Cancel culture has ruined careers and lives — but did they deserve it? What consequences should people face for what they say and do? And what does redemption look like in the digital age?

Sara Shams had both legs amputated at age six — it became her superpower. 15-year-old Taylor Ladd-Hudson turned a shark experience into something bigger. Amy Parry got subversive after she was told women's stories on screen were too niche. Jody Rallah wanted to make sense of the world and art led the way. And Anisa Nandaula turns it all into performance poetry. Meet these changemakers joining Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell at the Women of the World (WOW) Festival in Brisbane in October 2024.

Speakers

Taylor Ladd-Hudson15 year old environmentalist, shark conservationist, social media influencer

Amy ParryFilm-maker, producer, screenwriter

Jody RallahArtist and yuggera-yugggerabul and biri-bindal woman

Sara ShamsPharmacist, disability advocate, speaker, model

Anisa NandaulaSlam poet, stand-up comedian, writerAuthor, Melanin Garden

Imagine a world where your brain is enhanced through cutting-edge technologies and next-generation AI, blurring the lines between organic and digital realms … and unlocking unprecedented potential. We are already some steps on the way in such a future. What would this mean for intelligence, human agency and consciousness?

Your Brain on AI From organoids to consciousness was presented by the Sydney Opera House.

Speakers

Paul DaviesTheoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, Arizona State University and best-selling author

Dr Inês HipólitoAssistant Professor of Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Macquarie University

Dr Brett J. KaganChief Scientific Officer at Cortical Labs

Dr Sandra PeterDirector of  Sydney Executive Plus, Associate Professor the University of Sydney Business School

With more than 3 billion people playing video games worldwide, they have the potential to wield tremendous power and influence. So is it time to take video games more seriously?

When Kasey Chambers was growing up, her dad had one simple, yet profound piece of advice. Just don't be a d**khead.