Big Ideas

Blues legend Bobby Rush has recorded hundreds of songs, collaborated with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, and headlined music festivals all over the world. At 87, he still tours more than 200 days a year, entertaining audiences with his unique funk-infused blues tunes. But Bobby Rush’s story is not just about music, but also one of racism and pain.

At the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Big Ideas looks at how the attacks have reverberated over the past two decades and continue to impact global affairs. What has been the experience of Muslim, and non-Muslim youth growing up during the ‘war on terror’? And how did the attacks influence civil liberties and political polarisation?

It is no secret that the idea of an open, pluralistic democracy is under stress. It is being challenged by a new form of democracy that has certain closed, nationalistic, and autocratic features - so called "illiberal democracy." Illiberalism is anti-plural; seeks to make distinctions by race and ethnicity; and it uses anti-democratic means to achieve and maintain power. Big Ideas explores the rise of illiberal democracies in Brazil, Hungary and India.

How effective are mindfulness apps on your smartphone?  These apps are increasingly popular, making mindfulness meditation more accessible. Over a hundred million people have the “Calm” app on their phone. It is a two-billion-dollar business. Do these apps help you to “be present”, or improve your mental health? Or are they another digital distraction?

What is the legacy of Australia’s first major racism protests, 50 years ago? The action targeted the touring South African rugby team, not our own national shame. Were Australia’s white anti-apartheid activists aware of Aboriginal disadvantage and disempowerment? And how did Queensland’s harsh state of emergency shape its future?

It's 50 years since one of the darkest periods in Queensland history, when police violently suppressed anti-apartheid protests against South Africa’s touring rugby team. Students, unions and Black Rights activists were among the protestors. This is the first episode in a two-part series discussing the legacy of that tumultuous time.

At a time when the South Pacific is a focus of geo-political tension, it’s also facing worsening economic and health challenges. There’s rising unemployment, food shortages and girls are being pulled out of schools. The pandemic has smashed tourism – the biggestindustry. Meanwhile, the islands are still recovering from last summer’s extreme cyclone, something forecast to be more common with climate change.

Australia produces world leading scientists, and world class scientific research. But, compared to the United States, the UK, and other countries, we don’t translate enough of our science into solutions or products. Do we lack an entrepreneurial culture? Are universities, and other institutions, doing enough to encourage innovation and industry collaboration? Is covid 19 changing how scientists work, for the better? Paul Barclay speaks to Australia’s Chief Scientist, and two entrepreneurial scientists

Black Lives Matter: Has anything really changed? The protests following the death of George Floyd generated a surprising solidarity against racism in many countries around the world. And BLM became a symbol against the oppression of many different minority groups. But looking at policies, organisations and the general society, experts say that not much has really changed. Governments have used the protests to clamp down on activism and re-define racism in a way that’s not posing a problem to them.

As Covid lockdowns drag on, there’s rising concern about a “shadow pandemic” of stress and mental illness, particularly among young people. Some are struggling with isolation, insecure work and housing and dislocation from higher education. Thirty percent of young people are reporting high or very high levels of psychological distress. Why is the pandemic taking the greatest mental toll on young people, and what can be done about it?