Science Friction
ABC listen
Science Friction's latest season is: Artificial Evolution. In 1996, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned animal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. What exactly has happened, where are we headed, and are we OK about it?
In this series, environment reporter Peter de Kruijff tells the surprising stories of genetic engineering. Meet the scientists changing the food we eat and creating animals with organs we can use. Hear about the criminal conspiracy to clone a giant sheep, and the teams bringing extinct animals back from the dead.
Artificial Evolution traces the influence of genetic technology from Dolly into the future. It’s the latest series of Science Friction, an award-winning podcast from ABC Radio National.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
In this series, environment reporter Peter de Kruijff tells the surprising stories of genetic engineering. Meet the scientists changing the food we eat and creating animals with organs we can use. Hear about the criminal conspiracy to clone a giant sheep, and the teams bringing extinct animals back from the dead.
Artificial Evolution traces the influence of genetic technology from Dolly into the future. It’s the latest series of Science Friction, an award-winning podcast from ABC Radio National.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 16, 2022 • 30min
Brains vs brains, boys vs girls! Science Friction's 2022 quiz show
Two teams. Scientists and science journalists. Brains vs brains. Boys vs Girls. From the small (bed bug sex) to the big (er, the whole cosmos), it's the year in science with a tongue firmly in our cheeks.
Dec 9, 2022 • 30min
Prison for protesting - climate change activists or criminals?
The long prison sentence given to Sydney climate protester Deanna 'Violet' Coco for blocking traffic on the Sydney Harbour bridge has surprised many, including her fellow protester Jay, who spent 42 days under house arrest. Are new laws suppressing fundamental human rights to protest, or a proportionate response to disruptive blockades?Note: Since making the show, Violet Coco, has been released on bail, as from 13th December.
Dec 2, 2022 • 30min
The soul in the machine — anthropologist, technologist, futurist Genevieve Bell
We make machines, but do our machines make us? And who's in control really? Superstar anthropologist, technologist, futurist, cyberneticist, and Silicon Valley insider Genevieve Bell and guests talk machines, minds and messing with the code to make the world so much better.
Nov 25, 2022 • 30min
The End of the Universe with poet Alicia Sometimes (Part 2 of 2)
If the universe began with a big bang, how will it end? This question has suddenly got very personal for acclaimed science poet Alicia Sometimes.Physicists have got some hair-raising ideas, from the Big Crunch to the Big Rip. The personal, the poetic, and the physical of endings this week on Science Friction.Hear Part 1: What Came Before the Big BangGuests:Alicia SometimesPoet, writer, broadcaster, podcasterChris FerrieQuantum physicist, Associate Professor, Centre for Quantum Software and InformationUniversity of Technology, SydneyAuthor, Quantum Physics for Babies (and other children's books)Katie MackTheoretical cosmologist, Associate professor, Department of PhysicsNorth Carolina State University,Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science CommunicationPerimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsAuthor, The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)Writer: Alicia SometimesWriter: Alicia SometimesProducers: Alicia Sometimes, Natasha MitchellSound Engineer: Matthew Crawford
Nov 17, 2022 • 30min
Presents: WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? Citizens Assemble!
Should solving climate change be left to politicians? What if YOU could drive policy without ever running for an election?WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? is an ABC podcast about the people who are trying to map out a better future in the face of the climate crisis.France gave so-called 'deliberative democracy' a crack, where lay citizens are assembled to deliberate and shape vital policies. Europe is ahead of the game in this, but find out what happened next in the French experiment.Catch up on the whole series HERE, or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests: Amandine Roggeman, Louis-Gaeten Giraudet, Professor Nicole Curato.Host: Jo LauderReporters: Jo LauderSeries Producer: Cheyne AndersonExecutive Producer (audio): Joel WernerExecutive Producer (digital): Clare BlumerSound engineer: Hamish Camilleri
Nov 11, 2022 • 30min
Presents: WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? Better Call Saul
Saul Griffith has an ambitious plan to save the planet. It all begins at home and it's completely electrifying!WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? is an ABC podcast about the people who are trying to map out a better future in the face of the climate crisis. Catch up on the whole series HERE, or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests: Saul Griffith, Andrew Davies, Cameron GardinerHost: Jo LauderReporters: Joel Werner, James PurtillSeries Producer: Cheyne AndersonExecutive Producer (audio): Joel WernerExecutive Producer (digital): Clare BlumerSound engineer: Hamish Camilleri
Nov 4, 2022 • 30min
Love and Exile: An everlasting mystery (Part 2 of 2)
Science and culture ... with extra spice. All species welcome.
Oct 30, 2022 • 25min
Love and Exile: An everlasting mystery (Part 1 of 2)
When intrepid botanist Tim Collins went sleuthing in the wilds of Australia in pursuit of a papery daisy's DNA, little did he know he'd find himself at the heart of an historical saga, a complicated romance, and a botanical mystery. A floral story of love, exile and serendipity. Oh, and an Emperor and Empress!
Oct 20, 2022 • 30min
Sex, tech, intimacy and power — Jennifer Mills, Rob Brooks, Josephine Taylor
Too much. Not enough. Too weird. Not weird enough. Sex is enjoyed, explored, exploited, and policed in countless ways. The pleasure and pain of writing about sex … with authors Jennifer Mills (The Airways, Dyschronia), evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks (Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, digital lovers, and algorithmic matchmakers), and Josephine Taylor (Eye of a Rook).
Oct 14, 2022 • 30min
Deep Past meets Deep Future — science fiction star Becky Chambers
2022 Hugo Award winning science fiction author, Becky Chambers, is loved by fans for her brilliantly hopeful imagined worlds in her Monk and Robot and Wayfarers book series. Archaeologist Dr Emma Rehn investigates the ancient relationship between humans and fire.Science Friction brings Becky and Emma together to share a conversation about worlds past, future, real, and imagined.
