A panel discussion for ABC-TV’s Big Ideas program presented by Dr Paul Willis, RiAus Director and ex ABC-TV “Catalyst” presenter.

Animals are no longer safe in the wild.  Many experts now think putting a price on the heads of our most endangered species might make us value them enough to save them from extinction. Captive breeding, native pets, commercial hunting, even trade and export of mammals and reptiles... everything once anathema is on the table in the debate over the sustainable use of wildlife. 

Panellists

Facilitator

Dr. Paul Willis, RiAus Director.

Dr Kath Albury, from UNSW’s Journalism and Media Research Centre, discusses the rise of sexting – the sending of sexually explicit text messages – and the lasting legal repercussions for under-18 year olds.

Australians at high risk of smoking, such as the mentally ill and prisoners are successful in giving up the habit if they’re supported in complying with treatment regimes, according to Professor Robyn Richmond from UNSW Medicine’s School of Public Health.

Here Prof Richmond tells Sarah Macdonald that while Australia has one of the lowest smoking rates in the world, the smoking rate for some of our most vulnerable citizens is still frighteningly high.

ABC presenter Jonathan Holmes interviews Associate Professor David McKnight from UNSW's Journalism and Media Research Centre on new his book, 'Rupert Murdoch: An Investigation Of Political Power'. The book looks at Rupert Murdoch's pursuit of political goals using News Corporation as his vehicle.

What happens when you listen to music? What happens in your brain? And what makes music sad, poignant or joyful?

Emma Ayres from ABC's Classic FM hosts this discussion recorded for ABC's Big Ideas program. Professor Andrew Schultz – composer and head of the school of Arts and the Media at UNSW, and music psychologist Associate Professor Emery Schubert, from the same school provide insights into composition and our emotional response to music.

The program features two compositions by Andrew Schultz - "After Nina" and "One Sound", performed by the musicians of the Australia Ensemble at UNSW:

Geoffrey Collins - flute?

Dimity Hall - violin?

Catherine McCorkill - clarinet

?Irina Morozova - viola?

Ian Munro - piano

?Dene Olding - violin?

Julian Smiles - cello

What motivates someone to give $3 million to support Indigenous education? On the eve of the opening of Balnaves Place -- Home of Nura Gili at UNSW, businessman Dr Neil Balnaves AO spoke to Sarah Macdonald about his passion for closing the gap, the dos and don'ts of philanthropy and how UNSW students have inspired him.