Festival of Dangerous Ideas
Festival of Dangerous Ideas
Listen to over 10 years of talks presented at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas – Australia's original disruptive ideas festival. FODI brings to light important conversations that push the boundaries of conventional thought, challenging thinking on some of the most persevering and difficult issues of our time. Hear from our festival alumni – the world's best experts, innovative thinkers and mischief makers – as they share provocative ideas and conversations that encourage debate and critical thinking.
It's time to get uncomfortable…
It's time to get uncomfortable…
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 21, 2020 • 21min
Kajsa Ekis Ekman (2014) | Surrogacy is Child Trafficking
In 2014 Swedish Journalist Kajsa Ekis Ekman presented one of most divisive and dangerous talks in the festival's history. Her talk Surrogacy is Child Trafficking came at a time when the case of Baby Gammy was front of mind in the Australian media. A Decade of Danger celebrates 10 years of The Festival of Dangerous Ideas and will highlight 10 unmissable speakers from across the festival's history. Sign up at festivalofdangerousideas.com to find out more about the lineup for FODI 2020.
Jan 21, 2020 • 57min
Sam Harris (2012) | The Delusion of Free Will
Revisit Sam Harris' life-changing presentation from the 2012 Festival of Dangerous Ideas. This deconstruction of the illusion of free will is challenging and confronting, but Harris makes the argument thoroughly entertaining and accessible for all who are willing to look at life differently. A Decade of Danger celebrates 10 years of The Festival of Dangerous Ideas and will highlight 10 unmissable speakers from across the festival's history. Sign up at festivalofdangerousideas.com to find out more about the lineup for FODI 2020.
Jan 20, 2020 • 37min
Naomi Klein (2014) | Capitalism and the Climate
We revisit Naomi Klein's powerful presentation at The Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2014. This meticulous critique of capitalisms impact on climate change remains one of the most important, impactful and popular talks from FODIs history. A Decade of Danger celebrates 10 years of The Festival of Dangerous Ideas and will highlight 10 unmissable speakers from across the festival's history. Sign up at festivalofdangerousideas.com to find out more about the lineup for FODI 2020.
Nov 30, 2018 • 1h
Ayelet Waldman (2018) | LSD: Forbidden Medicine
Former law professor Ayelet Waldman saved her marriage and her life by taking LSD. Now she's fighting for microdosing's wider use. Waldman shares her story and issues a call-to-commonsense at the 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island. The session is chaired by Natasha Mitchell.
Nov 30, 2018 • 55min
Rehearsal for Fascism (2018) | Pankaj Mishra, Angela Nagle & Tim Soutphommasane
Around the world, we are seeing the rise of nationalism, racism and authoritarian regimes. Will democracy survive the century? Or has freedom has become too heavy a burden to bear in our uncertain world? Pankaj Mishra, Angela Nagle and Tim Soutphommasane discuss the future of our political societies at the 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island. The panel is chaired by Fauziah Ibrahim.
Nov 29, 2018 • 58min
Niall Ferguson (2018) | Post Populism
Populist tribes around the world have increasing political sway. Can this movement sustain itself? What comes next? Award-winning author and conservative historian Niall Ferguson presents a keynote at the 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island. The session is chaired by Ann Mossop.
Nov 29, 2018 • 57min
Sex Robots Have No Taboos (2018) | Rob Brooks, Dr Nikki Goldstein & Xanthe Mallett
Does the arrival of sex robots mean the end of intimacy or the next sex revolution? Will humanoid dolls regulate sexual perversity or provoke greater harm? Rob Brooks, Dr Nikki Goldstein and Xanthe Mallett give their independent take on the issue at the 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island. The panel is chaired by Natasha Mitchell.
Nov 29, 2018 • 50min
Fight the Fear (2018) | Haris Aziz, Khandis Blake, Lee Rollins & Martina Stenzel
What we don't understand often looks dangerous. But if we're going to be able to cope with inevitable and accelerating change, we need to go beyond technophobia and moral panic. Haris Aziz, Khandis Blake, Lee Rollins and Martina Stenzel present a series of short talks at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island, covering specialist topics from nanoparticles to genome manipulation. The session is hosted by Rob Brooks.
Nov 29, 2018 • 58min
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz (2018) | Everybody Lies (Except the Internet)
Big data reveals the sad truth that we all lie, almost all of the time. Except, that is, when we're online. Why do we treat the internet like a confessional box? What secrets do our searches contain? 'Data whisperer' Seth Stephens-Davidowitz reveals the vulnerabilities and insecurities, the patterns and potential, and the ugly prejudices that our Google searches disclose. This keynote talk was presented at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2018. It is chaired by Ann Mossop.
Nov 29, 2018 • 50min
Pankaj Mishra (2018) | Age of Anger
Anarchy, resentment and an urge to smash the system are spreading. What caused this age of anger? How can we understand it? And what kind of transformative thinking will help us find our way out of it? Author and academic Pankaj Mishra presents a keynote at the 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Cockatoo Island. The session is chaired by Simon Longstaff.
