Short & Curly

ABC

Episodes

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Dec 13, 2017 • 27min

How to make the best kind of friends

Making friends and keeping friends can be hard. Sometimes you like someone a lot and then one of you changes and your friendship ends. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle thought friendship was one of the most important things in life and he came up with three main types of friendships. This show lets you think about what kind of friends you have and why.This season is a special collaboration between the ABC Audio Studios and WNYC Studios in New York City.Hosts: Carl Smith and Shumita BasuSeries Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producers: Emily Botein and Ian WalkerProducer: Amy PearlSound Engineers: Isaac Jones, Hamish Camilleri, Jolen CamilleriProduction Support: Sarah Sandbach and Brigit Berger
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Dec 5, 2017 • 3min

INTRODUCING — Short & Curly Goes To America

While Molly stays at home to fight crime and breed endangered lizards, Carl packs his toothbrush and some clean underwear for Short & Curly’s big adventure to New York City.
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Sep 13, 2017 • 27min

Should we kill feral cats?

Australia is on the war path, pledging to kill two million feral cats by 2020. They felines are biologically the same creatures as the kitties people have as pets at home, but most were born in the wild. Feral cats are said to be responsible for millions of native animals and birds being killed each year and their numbers are skyrocketing. So, a big program to cull cats is underway. Is it okay to take some lives to protect many others? And what about the poor cats? Is it their fault humans brought them here, then let them loose in the environment?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerGuest: Gregory Andrews, Threatened Species Commissioner Department of Environment and Energy, Australian GovernmentBrains Trust: Oliver, Hugh, Lily, Polly, Georgie, and Paddy from Millthorpe Public School, NSW
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Sep 13, 2017 • 23min

Is your classroom fair?

That's not fair! How often have you heard that said at school? When the bell rings, Molly and Carl head back to the classroom but it's not long before one of them is in trouble with the teacher. A disruptive student (hint, it's Carl) can take up a lot of the teacher's attention. Is it wrong that a teacher can't give everyone an equal amount of their time? Can a classroom ever be truly fair?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerBrains trust: Finn, Ilka, Phoenix, Megan, and Eleanor from Millthorpe Public School, NSWActing crew: Neve, Denholm, April
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Sep 13, 2017 • 23min

Would you donate your kidney to a stranger?

They cut a small hole in your abdomen, blow some carbon dioxide into your tummy so it puffs up like a balloon, then carefully take out a perfectly healthy part of your body. Yikes. This is what happens when you donate a kidney. Most of us have two, but we really only need one to live long and healthy lives. So, if a family member or friend had kidney disease and you discovered yours was a perfect match, would you donate one? And what about if that person was a stranger?Would that change your answer?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerGuest: Michael Page, Centre for Effective Altruism, United KingdomBrains Trust: Oliver, Hugh, Lily, Polly, Georgie, and Paddy from Millthorpe Public School, NSW
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Sep 13, 2017 • 25min

Can robot soldiers make armies better?

Is it possible for an army to do the right thing? After all, armies destroy buildings and neighbourhoods, they kill and severely injure people, including children. Many wars and conflicts go on for years. But, weirdly, war do have rules, even if not everyone follows them. Do these rules really make it possible to create an ethical army? Can technology — like robots, drones and stun guns — lead to fewer casualties? After donning their battle fatigues, Molly and Carl design some ethical armies of their own.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerBrains trust: Finn, Ilka, Phoenix, Megan, and Eleanor from Millthorpe Public School, NSWActing crew: Neve, Denholm, April
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Sep 13, 2017 • 26min

What would you risk to get to the top?

At almost nine kilometres from top to bottom, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Many have died or suffered serious injuries trying to conquer the peak. Take a cold and windy journey with Molly and Carl as they gather their ropes and ice picks, lace up their climbing boots and head out into the wild for some high altitude curly questions. Along the way, you'll meet the youngest Australian to have made it to the summit.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerGuest: Alyssa Azar, youngest Australian to reach the summit of Mount EverestBrains Trust: Oliver, Hugh, Lily, Polly, Georgie, and Paddy from Millthorpe Public School, NSW
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Dec 21, 2016 • 24min

Should pugs dogs exist?

Carl thinks they have the cutest, squishiest faces and biggest googly eyes of the entire canine world. He definitely wants to buy one. But the life of a pug is not always a happy one. Over time, dog breeders have made pugs so flat-faced that many have serious trouble breathing. They can't run around and play as much as other dogs and get overheated in summer. Many pugs end up needing major surgery just to help them get enough oxygen. So, should Carl be buying a dog like that, even if he would love it and look after it really well?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
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Dec 21, 2016 • 23min

Who wants a virtual life?

Let's say you can hook your brain up to a machine that feels 100 per cent real and offers you the kind of life you've always wanted. You could climb one of the world's tallest mountains, get yourself some great friends, and even program in some challenges to keep it interesting. The catch is this perfect world isn't real… It's a simulation. Molly thinks it sounds cool, but isn't sure about leaving her real life dogs behind. The show takes us on a thought experiment to work out what it is we really want from life and what things are important.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
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Dec 21, 2016 • 21min

Why can’t children vote?

Kids have to live by the rules of the society they are born into but don't get a say on what those rules are. Unfair, right? Decisions made by governments today affect kids' futures but we don't let them near the ballot box. Are children wise enough or informed enough to make big decisions about government? Short & Curly mounts our own political debate with surprising results. Guest Amara is a smart kid who doesn't think it's necessary. How would you vote?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker

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