Big Ideas

Three Australian writers talk to Paul Barclay about poverty, class, race, and social and political change in regional and rural Australia.

Could the flow of information be the fuel that powers life? Astrophysicist Paul Davies says we need a new science which connects quantum physics and biology to answer this fundamental question. He draws on an earlier thought experiment of a mysterious force , dubbed the demon in the machine, which directs the transfer of information.

Historian Simon Schama explores the story of the Jewish people from ancient times to the present day. Without the imprint that Jewish culture has made, he says, our world would be almost unrecognisable, and our sense of modernity would be completely different.

SBS soccer commentator Craig Foster believes that sport has the power to change the world . Craig was part of the successful campaign to rescue refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi. Now he wants to see a human rights code implemented in all aspects of professional sport.

The AFP raids on the ABC and a News Corp journalist brought into focus how national security laws can impede a free media. But there are other dimensions to media freedom and free speech

Dr Michael Mosley is the man behind the 5:2 diet . He argues that a Mediterranean Diet and intermittent fasting will reduce your risk of chronic disease. So why does it work? What is the science telling us?

Critics say that Australian governments are chipping away at our civil liberties. They point to anti-terror legislation, recent media raids and the prosecution of whistleblowers.  Is a legislated Charter of Rights the answer or should Parliament reign supreme?

Dogs and cats need a high-energy diet and producing pet food generates millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. The choices we make when we feed our pets affect other animals, the environment and even our own well-being. Should we stop keeping meat-eating pets?

Peter Drew is a street artist who, paradoxically, doesn’t much like political art. But he designs, prints and puts up striking posters with a decidedly political message. He is speaking to Paul Barclay about what he is trying to achieve.

Australia's Chief Scientist says leaders and policy makers should read more science fiction. Science fiction is a hub of ideas for future technology and the social and ethical challenges it brings.