The technology sector has a long history of designing devices to lock in customers and accelerate consumption. But “planned obsolescence” as it’s called is facing a push-back. We also speak with Margaret Mitchell, who helped set up the AI ethics group at Google, only to find she was shown the door when the company’s bosses didn’t like what she had to tell them.

Technology: Questions of ethics and fairness

A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.

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Australia's disaster response procedures are under review. The new reality requires us to deal with multiple natural disasters simultaneously — to tackle polycrises. While some suggest a more centralised approach, others are calling for something very different — a greater focus on strengthening local community resilience and prioritising mitigation over clean-up. The climate clock is ticking, so which direction promises the greatest return?

Guests

Dr Paul Barnes – Senior Research Fellow and emergency and risk management expert, Griffith University

Rebecca McNaught – Research Fellow, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW

Mark Duckworth – Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, Deakin University

Professor Mehmet Ulubasoglu – Director of the Centre for Energy, the Environment and Natural Disasters, Deakin University

Listen to Future Tense — Designing buildings for disasters

The best response to disasters: centralised strength or community mitigation?

Across the globe single household occupancy is skyrocketing. In some Western cities "singletons" make up almost fifty per cent. But it's a trend that's largely slipped under the radar. Policy makers are yet to catch up with the new social reality. The growing cohort has significant economic potential, but they continue to face stereotyping and discrimination.

The greatest demographic shift in a century is being ignored: single living

Globally, around 300 million people consider themselves "influencers" or professional content creators. In the United States alone the number is approximately 13 million – that's roughly the same size of the US manufacturing sector. It's a precarious profession and the reasons for choosing to become an influencer are many and varied. So, what does their rise tell us about the modern workforce? Also, building islands to create offshore energy hubs; and a warning about the dangers of normalising the abnormal.

It's time to take the Influencer economy seriously

Many of us take actions to improve the environment and make for a better planet. But in a consumerist world where status is all, it can be hard to avoid making choices that negate your original intentions and send you back to square one. It happens in everyday life when picking a car or building a new house. And it happens on a large scale. For example where mass tree-planting occurs in habitats that were never meant to be forested. Shouldn't we know better?

When good intentions fuel further environmental problems

Insecure housing has long-term effects on both individuals and communities, it's impacting the social fabric of countries around the world. Corporations buying up housing stocks are further adding to the pressure. In rich and poor countries alike the cost of housing is outstripping growth in incomes. As a result, more than 100 million people have been made homeless, according to the UN. While more than 1.6 billion lack adequate housing and essential services. We also explore some possible solutions. But the big question mark hanging over the future of the sector remains political will.

Technology: Questions of ethics and fairness

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