Future Tense ABC listen
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- Society & Culture
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A critical look at new technologies, new approaches and new ways of thinking, from politics to media to environmental sustainability.
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The best response to disasters: centralised strength or community mitigation?
Australia's disaster response procedures are under review. The new reality requires us to deal with multiple natural disasters simultaneously — to tackle polycrises. While some suggest a more centralised approach, others are calling for something very different — a greater focus on strengthening local community resilience and prioritising mitigation over clean-up. The climate clock is ticking, so which direction promises the greatest return?
Guests
Dr Paul Barnes – Senior Research Fellow and emergency and risk management expert, Griffith University
Rebecca McNaught – Research Fellow, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW
Mark Duckworth – Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, Deakin University
Professor Mehmet Ulubasoglu – Director of the Centre for Energy, the Environment and Natural Disasters, Deakin University
Listen to Future Tense — Designing buildings for disasters -
The greatest demographic shift in a century is being ignored: single living
Across the globe single household occupancy is skyrocketing. In some Western cities "singletons" make up almost fifty per cent. But it's a trend that's largely slipped under the radar. Policy makers are yet to catch up with the new social reality. The growing cohort has significant economic potential, but they continue to face stereotyping and discrimination.
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It's time to take the Influencer economy seriously
Globally, around 300 million people consider themselves "influencers" or professional content creators. In the United States alone the number is approximately 13 million – that's roughly the same size of the US manufacturing sector. It's a precarious profession and the reasons for choosing to become an influencer are many and varied. So, what does their rise tell us about the modern workforce? Also, building islands to create offshore energy hubs; and a warning about the dangers of normalising the abnormal.
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When good intentions fuel further environmental problems
Many of us take actions to improve the environment and make for a better planet. But in a consumerist world where status is all, it can be hard to avoid making choices that negate your original intentions and send you back to square one. It happens in everyday life when picking a car or building a new house. And it happens on a large scale. For example where mass tree-planting occurs in habitats that were never meant to be forested. Shouldn't we know better?
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Big corporations are taking over as landlords and it's further fuelling the global housing crisis
Insecure housing has long-term effects on both individuals and communities, it's impacting the social fabric of countries around the world. Corporations buying up housing stocks are further adding to the pressure. In rich and poor countries alike the cost of housing is outstripping growth in incomes. As a result, more than 100 million people have been made homeless, according to the UN. While more than 1.6 billion lack adequate housing and essential services. We also explore some possible solutions. But the big question mark hanging over the future of the sector remains political will.
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The great distribution dilemma – can public interest journalism survive?
For more than a decade serious news organisatons, including public broadcasters, have increasingly relied on social media and other third-party digital distribution platforms to reach audiences. But now the big tech platforms are no longer interested in traditional news. So, can public interest journalism survive without the online networks they let cannibalise their content? How can serious news outlets avoid slipping into obscurity? And what impact would such a decline have on our culture and democracy?
Customer Reviews
Outstanding
This is one of the great Australian podcasts (radio shows) as so often it finds fascinating areas to explore
Yet another ABC show loose with facts
Yet another ABC show loose with facts. I’ve listened for a while now and several episodes have factual errors and misinformation. Some guests have agendas and are woke. Nothing new here. It’s the ABC so it’s expected. Just a warning to anyone who values truth. Some of this podcast is utter nonsense. Make sure you balance it with information from other sources.
fascinating, profound and acutely relevant
Antony Funnell (and the staff working with him to produce the show, assuming there remains adequate budget for a team of staff given the ruthless and persistent budget erosion to the ABC by Australian governments) have directed this series of podcasts into an ever deeper and more expansive ocean of ideas. The series is not necessarily easy and that is why it is so satisfying. Antony operates at a level that requires listeners pay attention and actively listen with their minds engaged. The rewards for going on the journey are many; the breadth and depth of ideas and the possibilities and insights within the conversations are profound, relevant and applicable. I draw on the knowledge garnered from this excellent podcast in my professional work, my interior life and in my conversations with others. Thank you Antony for the obvious commitment you have to producing such a high caliber of journalism. The ideas eloquently explored and intelligently examined in these podcasts are invaluable for individuals and society. Brilliant work!