Boyer Lectures

Technology has helped transform the world. Some say it has turned it upside down. Rupert Murdoch argues that we must not be prisoners of the past - modern day Luddites - if we are to succeed in the golden era.

In his first lecture Rupert Murdoch scans the future and beholds a golden era. But will we be part of it? The Australia he sees simply is not prepared for the challenges ahead. A classic Russell Drysdale painting provides inspiration.

In his final lecture, Professor Clark describes the unfolding possibilities of the new discipline of medical bionics. The hope of bionic nerve and spinal repair, a bionic eye, bionic epilepsy control, bionic drug delivery, bionic tissue repair, bionic muscles, organs and implantable sensors are only some of the magnificent achievements which this field may deliver for the benefit of humanity.

Professor Clark describes the realisation of his passionate desire to use the bionic ear to develop spoken language in children and the confrontation that this provoked with sections of the deaf community. He comments, 'It was ironical that I was now confronted by the very people whom I wanted to help hear. The criticisms affected all members of the team, and weighed heavily on us.'

'It is no exaggeration to say I was gambling my whole professional career on this day.' After twelve years of research Professor Clark describes the unbearable suspense of waiting to discover if the bionic ear would not only work but be commercially viable. Included are remarkable and moving recordings from the first test sessions of the bionic ear.

Loss of Contact is a detailed investigation of exactly what it means to lose a sense or senses including hearing, vision or touch. Clark, quoting the leprosy surgeon Paul Brand, describes how even to lose our sense of pain, 'the gift that nobody wants', can be catastrophic.