Uncommon Sense

 Freelance writer Anthony Ham discusses his new book, The Last Lions of Africa: Stories from the Frontline in the Battle to Save a Species.

Freelance writer Anthony Ham discusses his new book, The Last Lions of Africa: Stories from the Frontline in the Battle to Save a Species. Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT talks about the latest in US politics, including concerns around Trump's ongoing undermining of the US postal service and the effect it may have on postal voting in the November Presidential Election. And Alison Pennington, senior economist at the Centre for Future Work on the increasingly deregulated labour market and how women are experiencing rising inequality due to COVID-19.

Professor Jenny Hocking discusses her High Court win to have the "Palace Letters" released by the National Archives of Australia, and what they reveal about the 1975 Whitlam Dismissal. Deakin University philosopher Dr Matthew Sharpe explores how the ideas of Marcus Aurelius and Stoic philosophy can help us get through the Melbourne lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic. And Dr Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute, explains the state of Australia's economy during COVID-19 and de-mystifies the economic symbolism at play in the federal government's response. He also explains the Treasurer's 'back to the 1980's' fiscal inspiration, and what the changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker mean for us.

Professor Jenny Hocking discusses her High Court win to have the "Palace Letters" released by the National Archives of Australia, and what they reveal about the 1975 Whitlam Dismissal.

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws is an epidemiologist at UNSW, and a member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Mary-Louise joins Amy for an in-depth look at how wearing a face mask inhibits the spread of the coronavirus. They also discuss the evidence and arguments for Victoria and Australia undertaking an elimination strategy as opposed to the current nationally-endorsed suppression strategy. Mary-Louise shares the emerging evidence that COVID-19 causes medium and potentially long-term chronic illness and disability in some people, including young, previously healthy adults. This conversation occurs in the context of Victoria’s current increase in COVID-19 cases – the second wave. Historian and author Patrick Mullins returns to the show to chat about his new book, The Trials of Portnoy: how Penguin brought down Australia’s censorship system. Plus Ben Eltham on the latest in federal politics.

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws is an epidemiologist at UNSW, and a member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Mary-Louise joins Amy for an in-depth look at how wearing a face mask inhibits the spread of the coronavirus. They also discuss the evidence and arguments for Victoria and Australia undertaking an elimination strategy as opposed to the current nationally-endorsed suppression strategy. Mary-Louise shares the emerging evidence that COVID-19 causes medium and potentially long-term chronic illness and disability in some people, including young, previously healthy adults. This conversation occurs in the context of Victoria’s current increase in COVID-19 cases – the second wave.

Historian Liam Byrne discusses the early lives of two former Labor Prime Ministers in his new book, Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin: The Making of the Modern Labor Party, 1876 –1921

Historian Liam Byrne discusses the early lives of two former Labor Prime Ministers in his new book, Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin: The Making of the Modern Labor Party, 1876 –1921. Marine biologist Sarah Laverick talks about Antarctica, World Ocean Day, and her book, Through Ice & Fire: The Adventures, Science and People Behind Australia's Famous Icebreaker Aurora Australis. Plus Ben Eltham chats about the latest in federal politics.

Amy speaks with historian Rutger Bregman about his timely new book, Humankind: A Hopeful History. Rutger delves into the evidence for why and how most humans are actually pretty decent, and just how radical it is to believe this. Rutger last joined the show in July 2017 to talk about his book, Utopia For Realists.

Amy speaks with historian Rutger Bregman about his timely new book, Humankind: A Hopeful History. Rutger delves into the evidence for why and how most humans are actually pretty decent, and just how radical it is to believe this. Rutger last joined the show in July 2017 to talk about his book, Utopia For Realists. US politics expert Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT joins Amy to examine the protests occurring across North America (and the world) in response to the police killing of African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. And Ben Eltham from New Matilda chats about the latest in federal politics, including the government’s announcement they will be refunding $721 million to people who were incorrectly told they owed money to Centrelink, the so-called 'robodebt' scheme.