Big Ideas

Zoos are changing — they are no longer just places for us humans to gawk at animals in cages. In the midst of a global extinction crisis, they are now playing a vital role. So what is their future?This event was recorded at the International Society of Behavioural Ecology Congress in Melbourne on 2 October 2024, with thanks to organiser Professor Andy Bennett from the University of Melbourne.Listen to the rest of our special series Animals — Us and Them?SpeakersDr Sally SherwinDirector of Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos VictoriaProfessor John WoinarskiConservation biologist, Charles Darwin UniversityAuthor, A Bat's End: The Christmas Island Pipistrelle, Cats in Australia: companion and killer and  moreDirector, Australian Wildlife ConservancyCo-chair, IUCN Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist GroupMember of the science advisory committees of Zoos Victoria and of Invertebrates AustraliaAssociate Professor Lee BergerMelbourne Veterinary SchoolFellow of the Australian Academy of ScienceProfessor Dan BlumsteinProfessor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Professor in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los AngelesDr Jen Martin (host)Associate Professor in Science Communication, and founder of the Science Communication Teaching Program, University of MelbourneHost, Triple R community radioAuthor, Why am I like this? The science behind your weirdest thoughts and habits

Satyajit Das presents a provocative examination of the use and abuse of images of wild animals, and how they shape our relationships with the natural world. These pictures can create an impression of abundance and untouched ecosystems, and lull us into a false sense of security, at a time when the natural world faces ecological calamity.The Attenborough Effect — Shaping Our Relationship With Wild Animals was presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum.SpeakerSatyajit DasAuthor of Wild Quests. Journeys into Ecotourism and the Future for Animalsformer banker, recognised as one of the world's leading financial thinkers.

We’re past the brink of civilisational collapse. And many environmentalists are pushing a “fake green fairytale”. Jem Bendell’s arguments have inspired the Extinction Rebellion movement’s civil disobedience pushing for climate change action. But Jem doesn’t think protest is enough now. Find out why the self-confessed eco-libertarian and author of Breaking Together: A freedom-loving response to collapse thinks we should break together not apart. Jem joins Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell at the 2024 Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI)SpeakerJem Bendell Author, Breaking Together: A freedom-loving response to collapse (2023)Author, Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy (2018, 2020)Co-founder of Bekandze Farm - Regenerative Training CentreFounder, the Deep Adaptation ForumBand member, the Barefoot StarsEmeritus Professor of Sustainability Leadership, University of CumbriaSenior Distinguished Fellow, Schumacher Institute

For 30 years, Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia exposed corruption and wrong doing in her country. Her youngest son, Paul Caruana Galizia, details the impact of her life, her assassination in a car bomb explosion in 2017, and how her legacy lives on.

The British Empire was once the biggest in the world. But now, some countries are cutting ties, and some want reparations. So just what is the legacy of British imperialism?This event was recorded at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in October 2024.SpeakersSathnam SangheraAuthor, Empireworld: how British Imperialism shaped the globe and Empireland: how Modern Britain is Shaped by its Imperial Past, and moreColumnist with the Sunday TimesGill Westaway Owner-operator at Villa Karingal, Lombok, IndonesiaFormer British Council employee

Being who we are in public (with our mental illness) is the only way to create lasting change. Amanda Tattersall, co-founder of the campaigning organisation Get-Up, speaks powerfully about her experience of living with bipolar disorder and its role in driving social change. Hear how storytelling, sharing lived experiences, and forging solidarity through difference can make all the difference.Her keynote address: Making Change and Mental Illness — reimagining how we make a difference from the inside out was presented at the 2024 TheMHS ConferenceSpeakerAmanda TattersallAssociate Professor of Practice, Urban Geography, School of Geoscience University of SydneyCo-founder of GetUp, founder of the Sydney Alliance, host of the ChangeMakers podcast

Join Roxane Gay, a renowned author and social commentator, Megan Phelps Roper, a former Westboro Baptist Church member turned advocate for kindness, Andy Mills, a captivating journalist, and David Baddiel, a witty comedian and documentarian. They explore the complexities of cancel culture and its implications on accountability and dialogue. The group delves into the potential for forgiveness and personal transformation in the digital age, examining how social media both amplifies voices and fosters outrage, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate discourse.

In this engaging discussion, Sara Shams, a pharmacist and disability advocate, shares how losing both legs at a young age became her superpower. Amy Parry, a passionate filmmaker, confronts the underrepresentation of women in media and the power of storytelling. Artist Jody Rallah explores deep connections to her heritage through her art. The conversation ignites inspiration about tackling stigma, the importance of inclusivity, and the transformative effects of creativity, especially for young women and marginalized voices.

Joining the discussion are Paul Davies, a renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author, and Inês Hipólito, an AI ethics expert. They dive into the evolving relationship between human cognition and artificial intelligence. The chat covers the dual nature of brain-computer interfaces, raising ethical concerns alongside their transformative potential. They also explore intuition in decision-making and the implications of deepfakes on societal trust. Ultimately, they question how society can navigate the future of intelligence in a tech-driven world.

George Osborne, a British games industry commentator and former consultant for the UK's Video Games Industry Trade Association, dives into the profound influence of video games on culture and politics. He discusses the need to recognize gaming as a legitimate art form, the resilience of gaming communities during COVID-19, and the industry's strategic importance in geopolitics. Osborne also highlights job security challenges amid growth and underscores the potential positive societal impact and skills development fostered through gaming. A must-listen for anyone curious about the gaming landscape!