Big Ideas

When you're alive, the idea of dying feels weird, remote, alien. Yet it's the one experience we will all have. Can philosophy help us make sense of that weirdness?  What can talking about death and dying teach us about living? Natasha Mitchell is joined by a philosopher, funeral director, and a First Nations' songman for an uplifting, insightful conversation on death.This event is part of the Sophia Club live philosophy event series, presented by Aeon Media, publishers of Aeon and Psyche. Speakers:Kimba GriffithCo-founder and co-owner, The Last HurrahProfessor Klaus JahnPhilosopherSchool of Historical and Philosophical Studies and Graduate School of Humanities and Social SciencesUniversity of MelbourneFred LeoneButchella songman, musician, and performerGarrwa-Mambaliya ClanThanks to Sophia Club event creators and producers Brigid Hains (Editorial director, Aeon Media), Rosie Black, Jasmine Walter.Further information:LIsten and read a Days Like These feature and podcast about Fred Leone’s family story about a king, escape and connection to country.

Dive into the world of American literature and its reflection on contemporary political polarization. Explore how classics like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and 'Huckleberry Finn' address issues of race and justice. Discover the controversial legacies of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'Gone with the Wind,' revealing their roles in shaping, yet sometimes challenging, societal narratives. Uncover the transformative power of literature in inspiring political discourse and the importance of inclusivity and women's representation in storytelling.

Friends are among the most important relationships we will have in our lives. So what makes someone a friend, how do we hold on to them, and how do they shape who we are?

Why did acclaimed actor Melissa Jaffer step away from the spotlight and the swinging 60s to enter a strict cloister of Australian nuns for 4 years? Sister Marian McClelland is the last of two surviving members of the same Australian order of contemplative nuns. They became nuns at a time of radical change for women worldwide and for the Catholic Church and have extraordinary stories to tell about how faith shaped their sense of identity and purpose. They join Natasha Mitchell with oral historian Dr Sarah Gilbert, author of Unconventional Women: The story of the last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in Australia.This event was organised by Melbourne University Press and hosted at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.Speakers:Dr Sarah GilbertWriter, researcher, producer, and oral historianAuthor, Unconventional Women: The story of the last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in Australia (Melbourne University Press, 2024)Sister Marian McClellandOrder of the Blessed Sacrament sisters in AustraliaMelissa JafferAustralian actor of stage and screenFurther information:Sisters in arms: Catholic nuns through two millenniaJo Ann Kay McNamaraHarvard University Press, 1998

Literature on crime is huge. Many of you just love to read about a good murder. But do you prefer a soft touch around violent scenes? Or do you want to read it in the drastic, graphic language that shows crime the way it is? Writing crime stories can be a minefield: Do authors have to tell people, if they want to use them in their book? Particularly if they want to paint 'your character' the villain? Can you re-traumatise a victim when you turn their painful experience into a bestseller? A stellar panel of acclaimed crime authors tell how they found their own way to deal with the dilemma of the ethics of writing about murder and corruption.Presented at the Byron Writers Festival.SpeakersMatthew CondonAward-winning journalist and author, host of two true crime podcasts – Ghost Gate Road and Dig: Sirens Are ComingCandice FoxBestselling author, her latest book is 'Devil's kitchen'Benjamin StevensonAward-winning stand-up comedian and USA Today best-selling author of the 'Ernest Cunningham Mysteries', including 'Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone' and 'Everyone on This Train is a Suspect'Rosemarie Milsom (host)Founding director of Newcastle Writers Festival, former award-winning print journalist with Fairfax Media and broadcaster with the ABC

From mis and disinformation to election interference, parts of the internet have become dystopian, due to a lack of regulation. What is this doing to our democracies, and how are governments around the world trying to reign the tech giants in?The 8th annual Sir Zelman Cowan Centre Oration was recorded on 10 October 2024.SpeakerJon Faine Vice Chancellor's Fellow at the University of MelbourneFormer ABC Radio hostAuthor, Apollo and Thelma

Ninety years ago, in the face of communism, fascism, and the Great Depression, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, asked the question 'Is democracy doomed?' Today, we're asking that same question – with some answers that might surprise you.The 2024 Robert Menzies Oration was presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, recorded on 23 October 2024.The 2024 Henry Parkes Oration was recorded at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on 22 October 2024.SpeakersSir Niall Ferguson Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford UniversityBarrie Cassidy Chair, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Democracy is in retreat, authoritarianism on the rise. But this has happened before. So how did big thinkers of the past respond to the threats to democracy, and what can we learn from them?The Humanities Research Centre 50th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture was recorded at the Australian National University on 31 July 2024.SpeakersScott Stephens Co-presenter (with Waleed Aly) The MinefieldDigital editor, ABC Religion and EthicsCo-author of Quarterly Essay 87, Uncivil Wars: How Contempt is Corroding Democracy (2022)Editor of Justice and Hope: Essays, Lectures and Other Writings by Raimond Gaita (2023)Dr Kim Huynh Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Deputy Director of the Humanities Research Centre

When you're swimming in the ocean, do you ever startle at a piece of seaweed? Mistake a wave for a fin? Does the thought of sharks cross your mind at all? Nearly 50 years ago, a little movie by the name of Jaws, changed everything.This event was recorded at the National Film and Sound Archive, in partnership with the Australian National University, on 28 February 2024.SpeakersDr Hannah Calich Postdoctoral research fellow, Australian National UniversityProfessor Kenneth Lampl Convenor, Composition for Film and Video Games, School of Music, Australian National UniversityDr Anna-Sophie Jürgens Senior Lecturer in Science Communication, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of ScienceHead of Popsicule, ANU's Science in Popular Culture and Entertainment Hub

Remember the 8cm living worm found inside a woman's brain last year? Where the hell did it come from? Parasites have bizarre and whacky stories to tell. Join Natasha Mitchell to meet three scientists listening to what they have to say. The science, medicine, and mayhem of parasites. You'll have a whole new respect for these clever survivors and their biology.Thank you to the event organisers, the 2024 World Science Festival Brisbane and Queensland MuseumSpeakersProfessor Katherine Andrews Parasitologist, malaria researcher Founder of the That’s RAD! Science project     Author of My mum is a parasite scientist. That’s RAD! Associate Professor Vincent Ho Gastroentorologist The Gut Doctor (GutDr) on Youtube Western Sydney University Dr Terry Miller Ecologist and parasitologist Head of Biodiversity and Geosciences at Queensland Museum