Big Ideas

The first two decades of this century will be remembered for the #MeToo movement. It started with the scores of abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein. As part of Radio National's The Big 20: Our Century So Far, Big Ideas brings you Ronan Farrow's harrowing account of his investigation. It’s not a story about sex, but about the abuse of power. He shows up a system created by rich and connected men that’s permitted that type of behaviour. A network of gatekeepers from media, politics and business made sure that the victims stayed quiet.

We live in an age of constant outrage. On social media, many people seem to be almost continually offended and outraged. As part of Radio National's The Big 20 : Our century so far we ponder the uses and abuses of social media. While we're busy shouting, retweeting, and "piling on" have we lost the ability to tell the difference between genuine injustice and online feeding frenzies?

We live in an age of constant outrage. On social media, many people seem to be almost continually offended and outraged. As part of Radio National's The Big 20 : Our century so far we ponder the uses and abuses of social media. While we're busy shouting, retweeting, and "piling on" have we lost the ability to tell the difference between genuine injustice and online feeding frenzies?

It's 60 years since African Americans Paul and Eslanda Robeson toured Australia. Despite entrenched racism, Paul became a world famous singer and actor and both were political activists promoting racial equality, workers rights and womens rights. We also look at how the pandemic has made us rethink the way we work as life expectancy increases and we live and and work longer.

It's 60 years since African Americans Paul and Eslanda Robeson toured Australia. Despite entrenched racism, Paul became a world famous singer and actor and both were political activists promoting racial equality, workers rights and womens rights. We also look at how the pandemic has made us rethink the way we work as life expectancy increases and we live and and work longer.

How has Australia has been governed during the COVID-19 crisis? Political journalist Katharine Murphy interviewed the major political players in her Quarterly Essay, “The End of Certainty”. She discusses how politics and governing changed during the pandemic, and how it didn’t.

How has Australia has been governed during the COVID-19 crisis? Political journalist Katharine Murphy interviewed the major political players in her Quarterly Essay, “The End of Certainty”. She discusses how politics and governing changed during the pandemic, and how it didn’t.

You might be suffering pandemic fatigue but at least Australia doesn't have a dramatic spike in cases. Virus numbers are surging in Britain, Europe and America. Is there an end in sight ? How long before the world gets on top of the coronavirus? That’s the question for America’s top infectious disease specialist , Dr Anthony Fauci and Professor Sharon Lewin from Melbourne’s Doherty Institute.

You might be suffering pandemic fatigue but at least Australia doesn't have a dramatic spike in cases. Virus numbers are surging in Britain, Europe and America. Is there an end in sight ? How long before the world gets on top of the coronavirus? That’s the question for America’s top infectious disease specialist , Dr Anthony Fauci and Professor Sharon Lewin from Melbourne’s Doherty Institute.

An army of rural and regional workers are the engine of China's manufacturing boom but there's a growing gap between the urban rich and the rural poor which could slow China's development. At the helm is Xi Jinping, the most powerful leader since Mao. Despite the pandemic his grip on power and the central role of the Communist Party is secure.