The Minefield

David Auerbach, author of "Meganets," dives into the profound effects of digital platforms on human agency. He discusses the concentration of power among large corporations and its implications for democracy. The conversation explores how massive fandom influences film critique and stifles independent thought. Auerbach highlights the concept of 'bigness' as a construct in our polarized digital landscape, impacting community engagement and storytelling. He also reflects on the evolution of film viewing in the streaming era and the challenges it poses for creators.

Hyperconnectivity has coincided with an epidemic of loneliness — but is loneliness simply part of the human condition? Samantha Rose Hill joins The Minefield to discuss whether we can counter its harmful effects while nurturing genuine solitude.

Can soldiers be trained to kill their fellow human beings without that training doing irreparable damage to the moral lives of the soldiers themselves?

In the final episode of our Ramadan series, we explore the roots of our occasional heedlessness when confronted by the plight and pleas of another person: What could make us callous to their suffering, and how should we respond?

In the fourth instalment of our Ramadan series, we discuss whether “knowledge” which is wielded in a way that demeans others, or which is accumulated as a form of vanity, can really be considered beneficial?

Richard College, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Australian Catholic University, dives into the depths of human restlessness and the ancient philosophical insights that illuminate it. He explores the Arabic concept of 'nafs' as a symbol of our discontent and the vital connection between breath and spirit. The discussion highlights the struggle between ambition and tranquility, contrasting material pursuits with a quest for deeper fulfillment. College also emphasizes the importance of aligning desires with a transcendent purpose for true contentment.

Ego-centrism is a form of inattentiveness, a failure to be responsive to the moral reality of another person. In this second instalment in our Ramadan series, we explore how such inattentiveness can corrupt our words and actions.

What does it mean to be intellectually humble? How might such humility be cultivated? What are its benefits — both to ourselves and to those around us?

Now that John Cleese has announced that the iconic series will return, it’s worth examining what made Fawlty Towers a masterpiece — and whether its interaction with the political climate of the 1970s had anything to do with it.

In this discussion with Kate Harrison-Brennan, Director of the Sydney Policy Lab, the focus is on the damaging fallout of the Robodebt scheme. She examines how automated systems dehumanized welfare recipients, inflicting emotional trauma and stigma. The talk highlights the disturbing societal attitudes towards poverty and the moral implications of viewing welfare as a failure rather than support. Harrison-Brennan advocates for a compassionate, accountable welfare system that prioritizes dignity and care for the vulnerable, challenging bureaucratic biases.