Fuzzy Logic Science Show

Civilisation is the system that feeds us, houses us, and keeps us safe. It seems to work well, but embedded in it is a deadly flaw.

There is no known system in nature that can expand indefinitely. Many economists live with the fantasy notion of curves on graphs that climb forever, while overlooking the drops on the other side. Somehow we've come to believe the bizarre assumption that resources are limitless. It's hard to know what we're going to do as cheap oil runs dry, because there's no obvious alternative.  Cheap oil is the foundation of just about everything.

Our guest today is Nicole Foss, who describes herself as a systems analyst. Of all human systems, there are none bigger than this. What are we to do?  Is it Big Green Stuff, or something more fundamental?

Along the way, we talk about nuclear power, permaculture, peak finance, and even chickens.

Nicole Foss is co-editor of The Automatic Earth

You might want to lookup Ponzi schemes which Nicole mentions a few times.

Interview by Rod

Fuzzy Logic is home to four Homo sapiens this week: Elise, Amy, Siân and Broderick.  Together they discuss a wide variety of different species including Aphredoderus sayanus, Rheobatrachus silus and Homo neanderthalensis.  What are all these strange species?  Listen and find out!

Can rats share thoughts from brain to brain?  Can we train robot brains?  Expand your brain with a bit of science on Fuzzy Logic.  This episode is presented by Jess, Phoebe, Dan and Broderick

Diabetes is a serious lifelong illness that affects many Australians. Imagine having to cosntantly monitor your blood sugar and inject insulin every day for the rest of your life. That's on top of possible side effects such as kidney damage, damaged eye sight, heart problems, and the risk of losing limbs through infection.

While there are reasaonbly good ways of managing diabetes, it's obviously better avoided in the first place.

Our guest today is Dr Charmaine Simeonovic from the John Curtin Medical School of Medical Research (see http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/researchers-in-diabetes-breakthrough-20120904-25czg.html#ixzz2Pm8Ah7yv)

Inteview by Rod

This week on Fuzzy Logic Dan, Martha, Siân and Broderick think about how it would feel to live on chemical smoothies rather than food- is it healthy?  We also talk about movement in the moshpit and EPO doping.

What does it take to make a computer see? Something we humans do. Dogs and cats, and even flies do it. But it's not a trivial job.

Guest today is Dr Stephen Gould, AI researcher ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science.  And we're delighted to welcome back David Dufty, who wrote the amazing story of the Philip K Dick Android.

Interview by Rod

With bush fires raging around the country, Fuzzy Logic takes a look at the science behind fires.  Join Alice & Broderick as they discuss the past, present and future of fire science.

How long can we continue living on borrowed money on a limited planet?  How long can prosperity rely on endless growth?

If that's true, what can we do about it. Are we just at the mercy of larger forces. Theo Kitchener is an advocate of Doing It Ourselves. Your bank manager might not like what she says.

This week Alice, Blaire and Broderick talk about electronic music and the amazing science nerds that helped produce some of the coolest music.  They also discuss dung beetles, dog toys and more current science news.

Fuzzy Logic today was a 'scene of interest'.   Our guest today is head of forenscis at the University of Canberra, Professor Chris Lennard.

How do we untangle the scene of a crime. Who was there, and when. What happened. Are crime scene shows realistic? We talk about fingerprints and superglue, and ear-prints, explosives, and the Bali bombing.

Interview by Rod.

Do you have a question for Prof Lennard? See your question answered in our Monday Canberra Times Ask Fuzzy column. Send your question to AskFuzzy Zoho.com   (if you don't get the Times, we'll send you a scan).