by ABC listen
A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.
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🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/4/2019
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April 24, 2025
We like to think that increases in efficiency lead to greater sustainability – to lower resource use. But from cars to computers to bitcoin, it seems the reverse is true – efficiency stimulates demand. It’s an oft forgotten rule of economics called the Jevons Paradox, and it might explain why the demand for almost everything keeps going up even while we simultaneously fret about over-consumption. Also, would you accept a parcel from a stranger, take it on the bus or train with you, and then deliver it to another stranger for a small fee? It might sound dodgy when you put it like that, but it’s part of an emerging delivery trend call “crowdshipping”. And proponents say it’s about reducing the environmental impact of transport. Guests Dr Blair Fix – Political economist, York University (Canada) Dr Adam Dorr – Director of Research, Rethink Professor Lynette Cheah – Chair of Sustainable Transport, University of the Sunshine Coast Further information Blair Fix article - A Tour of the Jevons Paradox: How Energy Efficiency Backfires Adam Dorr’s article - Rethinking the Jevons Paradox: why more clean energy efficiency is good for the environment
April 17, 2025
Human beings have a bias toward optimism, says astrophysicist turned author and editor, Sumit Paul-Choudhury. While we may not always acknowledge it, the power of optimism is what drives our species forward. But beware of the modern craze for "Manifesting" — wishful thinking, no matter how intense, only has impact if it's married to action. Also, why we need to rethink globalisation's bad rap. International relations expert, Inanna Hamati-Ataya, argues there are no pure cultures and globalisation is really the means by which humanity flourishes. Guests Professor Inanna Hamati-Ataya — Chair of Global International Relations, University of Groningen, The Netherlands Sumit Paul-Choudhury — author, editor and Managing Director, Alternity Limited Associate Professor Laura D'Olimpio — School of Education, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom Further information Inanna Hamati-Ataya's article on globalisation Laura D'Olimpio's article on manifesting Sumit Paul-Choudhury's book The Bright Side
April 10, 2025
Artificial intelligence, it turns out, has a heavy human backend — they're called "data labellers"; they mostly live in developing countries, and there are ethical questions about their pay and work conditions. So, why aren't we talking more about them? Also, Google and other search companies have begun replacing hyperlinks with AI summaries. It's a move seemingly in line with our AI obsessed times, but what will it do to the tapestry of the internet? And will it simply make online information even harder to verify? Guests Dr Zena Assaad — Senior lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Professor Toby Walsh — Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of New South Wales Dr Collin Jennings — writer and academic Further information Collin Jennings' article: A linkless internet
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