SlowTV

The Changing Face of Global Displacement. Antonio Guterres

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:41:45 +0000

The issue of refugees and asylum-seekers provokes heated public debate in many countries around the world, not just in Australia. In this Lowy Institute's Distinguished Speaker Series address, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, provides a welcome international perspective: he examines emerging developments and trends in forced displacement around the world and the complex, inter-related factors which cause people to flee their homes in search of safety, security and protection. Presented by the Lowy Institute, February 2011

Where To For A Republic?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:03:57 +0000

How would becoming a republic change Australia? What's the best way to get there? Is there any momentum behind such a move today? In this panel discussion and question-and-answer session, barrister and former Australian Republican Movement chair Greg Barns, rising ALP Victorian state MP Jane Garrett and former federal Liberal minister Amanda Vanstone tackle the republican issue today. Presented by the Australian Republican Movement with OurSay, at Deakin University. February 2012

The Honest Broker: Science and Politics. Roger Pielke Jr

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:31:36 +0000

Scientists, and experts more generally, have choices about the roles that they play in today's political debates on topics such as global warming, genetically modified foods, and food and drug safety, just to name a few. At this Lowy Lecture, Professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Roger Pielke discusses how we can understand these choices, their theoretical and empirical bases, what considerations are important to think about when deciding, and the consequences for the individual scientist and the broader scientific enterprise. Presented by the Lowy Institute, February 2012

The Inaugural Gandhi Oration. Pat Dodson

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:49:39 +0000

The Inaugural Gandhi Oration is presented by Professor Patrick Dodson, Director of the Indigenous Policy and Dialogue Research Unit at the University of NSW. Professor Dodson was chosen as the inaugural presenter and his life’s work exemplifies the ideals of Gandhi demonstrated through his great leadership in promoting and fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians- work which has been marked by great tolerance and compassion. The Gandhi Oration is an initiative of the University of NSW and the Australia India Institute. Footage provided by A-PAC. January 2011

Gains and Losses From the Information Explosion. Daniel Dennett

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:23:59 +0000

In this talk at the Creative Innovation 2011 conference, Daniel Dennett sketches some of the challenges society faces as our capacity for technological advancement accelerates ever faster. Daniel Dennett is an American philosopher, writer and cognitive scientist whose research centers on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and philosophy of biology, particularly as those fields relate to evolutionary biology and cognitive science. He is referred to as one of the "Four Horsemen of New Atheism," along with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Presented by Creative Innovation 2011

The Next Wave of Innovation. James Moody

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:45:03 +0000

Speaking at the Creative Innovation 2011 conference, James Moody explains how we likely sit on the verge of an era of great innovation. In what areas will this innovation occur? What are the needs it will be addressing? Moody speaks about Eco-natives, and how resource constraints will lead to a different approach to development in the future. Dr James Moody is CSIRO's Executive Director, Development and is a regular panel member of ABC TV's The New Inventors and is the co-author of The Sixth Wave: How to succeed in a resource-limited world. Presented by Creative Innovation 2011, November 2011

Big data: What's Happening To Information About You?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:00:03 +0000

Every digital transaction and communication leaves digital traces and results in enormous collections of data about what we do and who we are. Your 'big data' is being mined and analysed. This presents risks on privacy and personal security grounds, but also promises a new wave of productivity and technology-driven opportunities: smart cities, new knowledge, business opportunities etc. Discussing the many facets of this changing world, Peter Mares (ABC Radio National) introduces speakers Nicholas Gruen, Jane-Frances Kelly, David McCloskey and Peter Yates. The event is presented by Melbourne Conversations (City of Melbourne). November 2011

We Need To Avoid Being the Last Generation. Rufus Black

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:27:26 +0000

Dr Rufus Black is an ethicist, management consultant and theologian who writes and works on ethical and public policy issues. In this talk at the Creative Innovation 2011 conference, he speaks about the challenges of 21st century leadership; how we need to approach the complex and multiple problems facing human civilisation today. Rufus Black is currently the Master of Ormond College and a Principal Fellow in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, and Chair of the Board of Teach for Australia. Prior to becoming Master of Ormond, Rufus worked at McKinsey & Company for nine years, where he was a partner. Presented by Creative Innovation 2011

Tan Le. A new development in brain-scanning technology

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:16:55 +0000

Former Young Australian of the year, the technology entrepeneur Tan Le has been developing an astonishing wireless EEG (electroencephalography) headset that reads brainwaves and translates a wide variety of brain activity into computer commands. Tan Le speaks about the many potential applications of this relatively cheap and user-friendly device, and the possibilities it presents in the field of brain research. Presented by Creative Innovation 2011, Melbourne, November 2011

Choosing Between Progress and Planet. Andrew Charlton

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:46:45 +0000

Witnessing at first-hand the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Conference and wondering what went wrong, Andrew Charlton realised the truth of a colleague’s words: “The world is split between those who want to save the planet and those who want to save themselves.” In Quarterly Essay 44 (Man-Made World: Choosing Between Progress and Planet), Charlton discusses the rift that will shape our future: progress versus planet; rich versus poor. Andrew Charlton was senior economic adviser to the prime minister from 2008 to 2010. He previously worked for the London School of Economics, the United Nations and the Boston Consulting Group and received his doctorate in economics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He is the author of Ozonomics (2007) and Fair Trade for All (2005), co-written with Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz. He is interviewed by Nick Feik, November 2011.

The Decline of Love. Richard Flanagan

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:13:25 +0000

Richard Flanagan is one of Australia's most loved novelists - and most powerful orators. In the annual Alan Missen oration and the Melbourne Writers Festival's closing night address, he considers Rilke's challenge: 'For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.' He questions how prepared we are for that task on the brink of a new century, looking at love and freedom through the works of writers and recent history. The written version of this speech appears in Quarterly Essay #44, published by Black inc. Richard Flanagan's books include Death of A River Guide, The Sound of One Hand Clapping, Gould's Book of Fish, The Unknown Terrorist, and Wanting. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

The Future of the Oceans. Sylvia Earle

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:39:23 +0000

American oceanographer and world-famous conservationist and explorer Sylvia Earle has spent a lifetime exploring the world's oceans. In this Melbourne talk, she explains how much are still yet to discover in our oceans, but also how much we are coming to learn about the massive impact humans are having on the health of this crucial natural resource. Earle has led more than 60 expeditions worldwide involving in excess of 7000 hours underwater in connection with her research. In 1998 she was named Time magazine's first "hero for the planet" and today she serves as an explorer in residence at the National Geographic Society. Presented by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network, November 2011

Panic. David Marr in Conversation

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:29:16 +0000

Australians see themselves as a relaxed and tolerant bunch. But scratch the surface and you’ll uncover an extraordinary level of fear. Cronulla. Henson. Hanson. Wik. Haneef. The boats. … David Marr’s new book Panic shows all of his characteristic insight and wit, as he cuts through the froth and fury that have kept Australia simmering over the last fifteen years. He speaks about Panic with Nick Feik. Melbourne, November 2011

The Sweet Spot. Peter Hartcher In Conversation

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:30:29 +0000

Australians now officially have the best living conditions in the world. Our country is both fair and free – and the only developed nation to have avoided a recession in the past twenty years. So how did it happen and why don't we care? In his new book The Sweet Spot Peter Hartcher argues that Australia’s prosperity was not built on dumb luck. In a time when the authoritarian success story of China is strong, Australia offers a better model: a democratic success story. But he also warns that there's no guarantee that the prosperity will continue. He discusses The Sweet Spot with Nick Feik. November 2011

Networks: How They Change Our Thinking. Paul Ormerod

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:33:25 +0000

The intellectual basis of almost all social and economic policy in the West over the past 60 years has been that of the rational decision maker of mainstream economic theory, acting out of self-interest and in complete isolation. The financial crisis has made plain for all to see the serious limitations of this approach. At the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Paul Ormerod explains how individuals, firms, regulatory bodies, operate in society and are influenced directly by what others think or do. We need to consider the influence of networks on our thinking. Paul Ormerod is an author of three best-selling books, The Death of Economics, Butterfly Economics and Why Most Things Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics. Presented by Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2011

Literary Criticism: How and Why?: Simon Leys

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:21:32 +0000

Simon Leys' cultural and political commentary has spanned four decades, with no corner of the arts escaping his sharp eye and acerbic wit. Since moving to Australia in 1970 he has become one of the country’s most highly acclaimed writers, with books including The Hall of Uselessness, Other People’s Thoughts, The Death of Napoleon, and The Wreck of the Batavia & Prosper. In this special lecture for the Wheeler Centre, one of Australia’s most important writers and critics reflects on the how and why of literary criticism; in particular, where one may find truth, trust, knowledge and judgement in the relationship between readers, authors and critics. Presented by the Wheeler Centre, October 2011

New drugs and new ways to think about them. Olivia Carter

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:34:31 +0000

Whether drugs are being used for medication, enhancement or pure recreation, concern focuses on the risks of side effects and unforeseen consequences. But what if there were no risks? What would society look like if there were pills that could safely and reliably improve human health, increase the powers of our mind, or simply make life more fun? Drug companies around the world are currently spending billions of dollars to achieve this goal. At the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Olivia Carter speaks about some recent developments in this field. Olivia Carter is a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne, she heads the Perception and Pharmacology Research Lab. Presented by Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2011

Paul Keating in Conversation with Robert Manne

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:04:41 +0000

Appearing at the Melbourne Recital Centre in conversation with Robert Manne, Paul Keating speaks about his life in and around politics; the ideas and reforms that animated his government; the way the country has changed and developed since; and Australia's (and the world's) economic outlook today. Keating displays all of the charisma, intelligence and humour that made him such an influential, powerful figure in modern Australian politics. Presented by the Wheeler Centre, November 2011

Paul Keating in Conversation (Part Two)

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:02:05 +0000

The Changing Contours of Global Order. Noam Chomsky

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:48:07 +0000

Professor Noam Chomsky presents a lecture entitled 'Changing Contours of Global Order', a look at our drastically changing world, and the implications for domestic and world order. An American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist and activist, the internationally renowned Professor Chomsky, is considered among the most quoted sources of all time. Presented by Deakin University, November 2011

The Same-Sex Marriage Debate. Michael Kirby and Guy Barnett

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:10:38 +0000

Marriage is a social institution that has endured for thousands of years, more or less unchanged. Is it now time that same-sex couples were extended the same rights as heterosexual couples? Former High Court Judge The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG debates the former Senator Mr Guy Barnett LLB, LLM, FAICD, at an event presented by the University of Western Sydney and the Whitlam Institute. October, 2011

Seeking a Leader Like Keating. George Megalogenis In Conversation

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:58:00 +0000

In his Monthly essay, Lessons in Leadership, George Megalogenis writes about the malaise in contemporary Australian politics, and how a leader like former Prime Minister Paul Keating might approach the task of reform today. In this exclusive SlowTV interview, Megalogenis discusses the essay and its themes with Nick Feik. November 2011

Bats, Birds, Bugs and Us. Peter Doherty

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:09:39 +0000

Hendra, Nipah, Ebola, Marburg, SARS – names that are variously familiar to all of us. What links them in our minds is the idea of scary, lethal infections. What links these viruses in nature is that they are unapparent infections of fruit bats. Bats are the most abundant mammals on the planet. And what about birds? Birds are primary reservoirs of the influenza A viruses and a spectrum of mosquito-borne infections. In this Festival of Ideas talk, Nobel Prize winner Peter Doherty talks through some fascinating recent discoveries in immunology and how scientists now track and fight potential pandemics.

Essaying Opinions. Marieke Hardy, Richard Flanagan & Robert Manne

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:35:59 +0000

At this Melbourne Writers Festival event, three renowned essay writers debate the health of the form in Australia. Do Richard Flanagan, Robert Manne and Marieke Hardy think we are being served well by our publishers and thinkers? Does the essay really have the power to change broad public opinion? The discussion is chaired by Alison Croggon and presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

A New Politics for a New Century. Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:19:45 +0000

“To win, Nordhaus and Shellenberger persuasively argue, environmentalists must stop congratulating themselves for their own willingness to confront inconvenient truths and must focus on building a politics of shared hope rather than relying on a politics of fear.” – New York Times. Meet Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger, authors of Break Through and founders of the Breakthrough Institute in Oakland, California. Nordhaus and Shellenberger, appearing at the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, have a provocative take on the means by which we can achieve a future in which all the world’s inhabitants can enjoy secure, free, prosperous, and fulfilling lives on an ecologically vibrant planet. Presented by Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2011

The Case for Perfection. Julian Savulescu

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:38:36 +0000

The current possibilities for using genetics and other biotechnologies to enhance human cognitive and physical performance are real and significant. Julian Savulescu, a world leader in the field of practical ethics, argues we have a moral obligation to pursue the project of human perfection and to take the opportunity science is already affording us to improve moral behaviour. Recognised world leader in the field of Practical Ethics, Professor Julian Savulescu is Director of the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics within the Faculty of Philosophy at Oxford University. The event is hosted by Natasha Mitchell (ABC-RN) and presented by Adelaide Festival of Ideas, October 2011.

The Asylum Seeker Crisis: Where To Now?

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:48:30 +0000

The High Court has decided that the Gillard Government’s “Malaysia Solution” is unlawful. It has also called into question the legality of offshore processing in general. The question is, where to now? Addressing the current situation are: David Marr, Senior journalist, Sydney Morning Herald, co-author of Dark Victory; David Manne, Director, Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre and leader of the recent successful High Court action; and Dr David Corlett, Presenter of the SBS series, Go Back to Where You Came From. Presented by La Trobe University (Ideas and Society Program), October 2011

Plotting the perfect crime. Michael Robotham and Tess Gerritsen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:53:24 +0000

Are great crime writers non-practising criminals? Two masters, international bestseller Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli and Isles novels) and Ned Kelly winner Michael Robotham (Lost), speak at the Melbourne Writers Festival, hosted by investigative journalist Rochelle Jackson. How is it they come to devise such intricate, cunning crimes? Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

Ann Patchett at the Melbourne Writers Festival

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:58:29 +0000

Ann Patchett's Bel Canto won both the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize, and Run was a New York Times bestseller. At the Melbourne Writers Festival, she talks to Jane Sullivan about her work, including her latest provocative novel State of Wonder, set deep in the Amazon jungle. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

Birds of a Feather. Jonathan Franzen and Sean Dooley

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:34:33 +0000

World-renowned author Jonathan Franzen (The Corrections, Freedom) is a renowned bird-watcher and conservationist, as is Sean Dooley (The Big Twitch). In this Melbourne Writers Festival conversation they talk to ABC Radio's Michael Veitch (himself a keen bird-watcher) about their mutual passion. Is there something about the elusiveness of birds that attracts writers? Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

The History of MI6. Keith Jeffery

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:29:24 +0000

At the Lowy Institute, Professor Keith Jeffery reflects on the challenges, rewards and frustrations of writing an authorised history of the most secretive department of the British state. Keith Jeffery is Professor of British History at Queen's University Belfast and a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is author or editor of fourteen books, including a prize-winning biography of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. His ground-breaking official history, MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service, 1909–49, was published in September 2010. Presented by Lowy Institute, October 2011

1835: The Founding of Melbourne. James Boyce in Conversation

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:46:24 +0000

In 1835 an illegal squatter camp was established on the banks of the Yarra River. In defiance of authorities in London and Sydney, Tasmanian speculators began sending men and sheep across Bass Strait – and so changed the shape of Australian history. At this Melbourne Writers Festival event, historian and author James Boyce tells Peter Mares (ABC-RN) some of the surprising facts and stories introduced in his new work, 1835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of Australia.

Hamlet's BlackBerry: William Powers on Life in the Digital Age

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:03:27 +0000

Hamlet’s BlackBerry, the New York Times bestseller by William Powers, is about the impact of new technologies on our life. It offers a new approach to digital life, one that seeks to make better, smarter use of today’s technologies. In this conversation with Matthew Ricketson, Powers discusses these ideas and where they emerged from. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

Recollections of a Bleeding Heart. Don Watson

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:41:44 +0000

Don Watson reflects on ten years since the publication of his acclaimed biography, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart. Don Watson was employed as Paul Keating’s speechwriter. On its release, his memoir was widely deemed a masterpiece, at once a groundbreaking ‘insider’ account of politics and a profound and extraordinarily frank study of the most intriguing and visionary politician in Australia’s modern history. Now, when vision and character have all but vanished from politics, Don Watson’s Recollections makes absorbing – and essential – reading. At this Wheeler Centre event, he talks to former journalist and prime ministerial speechwriter James Button. September 2011

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Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:38:39 +0000

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Robert Manne Responds to 'Paul Kelly' and The Australian

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:22:16 +0000

Following the Australian newspaper's lengthy response to his Quarterly Essay (Bad News: Murdoch's Australian and the Shaping of the Nation), Robert Manne appears at the Wheeler Centre to debate 'Paul Kelly' (played by Max Gillies) and the Australian. The conversation is hosted by Crikey's Sophie Black. Presented by The Wheeler Centre, September 2011

Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Struggle for Democracy. Malalai Joya

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:00:13 +0000

Malalai Joya shot to prominence in 2005 as a female parliamentarian in the National Assembly of Afghanistan. Since then, she's defied death threats from warlords and Islamists to speak out for the rights of women, and against corruption and the Western military forces in her land. At this Melbourne Writers Festival event, she speaks passionately about the impact of the war on Afghanistan, and the road to peace. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival and Overland Literary Journal, August 2011

Too Much Luck: Paul Cleary on the Mining Boom

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:45:57 +0000

Paul Cleary in his recent book Too Much Luck: The Mining Boom and Australia's Future shows how the resource boom, which seems a blessing, could well become a curse. In his conversation with Nick Feik, Cleary discusses the many potential pitfalls of a rapidly accelerating boom, and the traps that many countries before us have been caught in: a heady period of boom and growth, followed by a painful bust. Paul Cleary maps out the landscape, counts the human and environmental costs, shows what has worked overseas and suggests a better way forward. Melbourne, September 2011

Eliot Weinberger In Conversation With Ramona Koval

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:49:38 +0000

Political commentator, translator and poetry editor Eliot Weinberger is joined by Ramona Koval to discuss the extraordinary breadth of his work, including What I Heard About Iraq and his recent essay collection Oranges & Peanuts for Sale, which alone takes in Beckett, Paz, the colour blue, Shiva, Obama and Susan Sontag. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

Who Needs the Basin Plan?: Hosted by Kerry O'Brien

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:57:58 +0000

In this panel discussion hosted by Kerry O'Brien, key figures take a serious look at the ongoing problems of water resource management within the Murray-Darling Basin. Participating speakers are: Dr Arlene Harriss-Buchan, Australian Conservation Foundation; Mr Danny O’Brien, National Irrigators Council; Professor Ben Gawne,The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre; Dr Neil Byron,Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists; and Professor Barry Hart of the Murray Darling Basin Authority. Presented by La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga Campus

Who needs the Basin Plan? (p2): Hosted by Kerry O'Brien

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:20:43 +0000

Power Without Responsibility. Robert Manne and Eric Beecher

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:05:21 +0000

Renowned essayist and public intellectual Robert Manne discusses his new Quarterly Essay on The Australian with Eric Beecher (Crikey). Entitled Bad News: Murdoch's Australian and the Shaping of the Nation, the essay investigates what happens when one newspaper becomes a central political actor, and how this affects public debate in Australia. Presented by the 2011 Melbourne Writers Festival.

All That I Am. Anna Funder in conversation

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:38:21 +0000

The author of the bestselling examination of life in communist East Germany, Stasiland, winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize, Anna Funder turns to fiction in her latest book All That I Am, a true story of bravery and betrayal in the days of Hitler's regime. At this Melbourne Writers Festival event, she speak to Jason Steger (The Age). Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival, Aug 2011

Kate Grenville in conversation with Ramona Koval

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:51:07 +0000

In Sarah Thornhill, Kate Grenville returns to the family at the centre of her best-known work, the internationally bestselling novel The Secret River. She discusses writing about colonial Australia and the allure of taking up where her last novel left off with Ramona Koval of The Book Show. Presented by the Melbourne Writers Festival, August 2011

Bad News: Robert Manne on Murdoch's Australian

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:52:22 +0000

This year has seen unprecedented scrutiny of Rupert Murdoch’s empire in Britain. But what about in Australia, where he owns 70 per cent of the press? In his Quarterly Essay, Bad News: Murdoch's Australian and the Shaping of the Nation, Robert Manne investigates Murdoch’s lead political voice here, the Australian newspaper, and how it shapes and distorts the national debate. In this studio interview, Robert Manne speaks to Nick Feik about his provocative new essay. September 2011

The Critical Decade. Tim Flannery, with Robert Manne

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:48:06 +0000

Amidst the heated debate around the introduction of a carbon tax in Australia, leading environmentalist Tim Flannery shares with Prof Robert Manne his views on the global warming debate. They discuss the political environment in Australia, global emissions reduction efforts and the issues around communicating the science of climate change. Presented by La Trobe University Ideas and Society Program, August 2011

Why we still need feminism. Sophie Cunningham

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:32:22 +0000

Writer and feminist Sophie Cunningham has watched with growing frustration as women are increasingly marginalised: in the arts, in the media and in public life. In this provocative and highly acclaimed Melbourne Writers Festival address, she argues that disinterest in women - the overlooking of them, the disavowal of them, the occasional hatred of them - is a profound problem in Australian culture, and that issues surrounding the economic and cultural rights of women are not being resolved by the free market. She advocates for a greater respect for women's voices, and eschews charges of tokenism to make the case for affirmative action. Presented by Melbourne Writers Festival 2011

Her Father's Daughter. Alice Pung in conversation

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:03:05 +0000

Following her acclaimed debut Unpolished Gem, Alice Pung has delved further into her family history in Her Father's Daughter. Set in Melbourne, China and Cambodia, it captures a father–daughter relationship in a moving and astonishingly powerful way. In this interview, Alice Pung discusses the writing of her new memoir with Nick Feik. Melbourne, August 2011

How food shapes our lives. Carolyn Steel, State of Design Festival 2011

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:23:10 +0000

At the State of Design Festival 2011, Carolyn Steel’s keynote address highlights how feeding cities arguably has a greater social and physical impact on the planet and us than anything else we do. Even as extreme weather and oil prices send the cost of food soaring, fast food and supermarket price wars mean produce is being valued at unsustainably low levels. Steel discusses how cities can be designed more productively and to address food security, accessibility, production, consumption and distribution. Presented by State of Design Festival 2011

Food Fighters. Aa Gill and Anthony Bourdain in conversation

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:35:51 +0000

AA Gill and Anthony Bourdain both love words almost as much as they love food, and neither hesitates to use them as weapons in their endless culinary quest for satisfaction, if not perfection. In this feisty conversation at the Sydney Writers' Festival, they talk to restauranteur Tony Bilson about trends in dining culture and the changes they've loved and loathed over their years. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival 2011

Beginners. Mike Mills in conversation

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:43:50 +0000

Mike Mills, guest of the Melbourne International Film Festival 2011 and director of feature film Beginners, is the quintessential modern multi-hyphenate artist. He has directed music videos for Air, Pulp, Moby, Yoko Ono and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, designed CD covers for Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys, and exhibitions of his graphic design work have been shown in New York, London and Tokyo. His first feature film, Thumbsucker, won acting awards at Sundance and Berlin Film Festival. Mills joins Penny Modra at the festival to talk about making film and making art, and about his new film, Beginners, starring Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent. Presented by Melbourne International Film Festival, Aug 2011

Israel: Peace, War and Storytelling. Amos Oz

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:09:59 +0000

At a time of great upheaval in Israel, one of the country’s most admired thinkers, Amos Oz, takes to the stage in Melbourne to deliver a stunning oration on the life and times of Israel. Oz, a celebrated author and peace campaigner, speaks with insight, honesty and humour about the history of ‘the dream’ of Israel, the argumentative and dynamic character of its population and the necessary compromises required to forge peace with the Palestinians. Presented in partnership between the Wheeler Centre and Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, and under the auspices of the Leon Liberman Chair in Modern Israel Studies. Melbourne, August 2011

Australia's Long-Term Challenges. Julia Gillard

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:19:21 +0000

At the inaugural Per Capita Reform Agenda series, Prime Minister Julia Gillard addresses Australia’s long-term economic outlook and the challenges that lie ahead. Following her speech, she talks with David Hetherington about China’s role in our economic future, the mining boom, our demographic forecasts, the problems posed by climate change and the currently unstable global markets. Presented by Per Capita in Melbourne, August 2011.

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Morgan Spurlock

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:19:44 +0000

At the Melbourne International Film Festival, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock speaks to Andrew Hansen (The Chaser) about his unusual career in filmmaking, in particular his latest documentary, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Typically inventive, Spurlock explains how the financing of this film about advertising and product placements in the media was achieved by ... selling advertising and product placements in the film!

Thomas Friedman at the Melbourne Town Hall

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:19:37 +0000

Three-time Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and acclaimed author Thomas Friedman speaks at the Melbourne Town Hall. Freidman talks about America and the world, the new Middle East and his latest book That Used to be Us: What Went Wrong with America? And How it Can Come Back. A long-standing and influential commentator on the Middle East and global affairs, Friedman demonstrates his unique ability to identify the trends that will shape the future and bring clarity to complex issues. The event is hosted by Maxine McKew. Presented by the Wheeler Centre, July 2011.

The politics of saving the world. Kumi Naidoo

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:34:49 +0000

It is increasingly evident that the global economy is going to be reliant on and at the mercy of the natural environment in the coming decades. As a nation vulnerable to climate change but also blessed with abundant renewable energy sources, how is it that Australia has fallen so far behind? Drawing on his experience as head of the largest international environmental campaigning organisation, Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo provides a perspective on growing global efforts to address climate change and challenges the Australian perception that little is currently being done as an argument for inaction. Presented by the Lowy Institute, July 2011

The death of Bin Laden and what it means for international terrorism

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:50:45 +0000

On 2 May this year, Osama Bin Laden was was killed in a secret raid on his compound in Pakistan. But was his death lawful? How long had the US known his whereabouts? What has been the impact on terrorism more broadly and what does it mean for Australia? Terrorism and law experts Prof Sarah Joseph, Dr Benjamin MacQueen and Assoc Prof Gideon Boas join moderator Prof Greg Barton as they discuss the aftermath of the death of one of our generation's faces of terrorism. Presented by Monash University, July 2011

Identities in conflict: India, Afghanistan and Pakistan

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:10:01 +0000

How can peace be assured between these conflicting national identities and states? In this Festival of Ideas (University of Melbourne) event, some of the world's leading thinkers on 'South Asia' come together to explore, debate and explain the many and complex issues facing this volatile region. The speakers are: Christopher Snedden, politico-strategic analyst, Asia Calling; Sally Neighbour, journalist and author, The Australian; Robin Jeffrey, Visiting Research Professor, Institute of South Asian Studies and the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore; Samina Yasmeen, Director of Centre for Muslim States and Societies, The University of Western Australia; and (chair) Amitabh Mattoo, Director of the Australia India Institute. Presented by University of Melbourne, July 2011

The Genetic Revolution: Food and Power

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:51:10 +0000

Does the genetic revolution open the way to feeding the world and providing it with safe, renewable sources of energy and power? Are genetically modified crops the only way forward for the world? Opinions range from an insistence that genetic modification of foods should be banned to arguments that the new technologies are guarantors of our future wellbeing. In this Festival of Ideas event, eminent genetics researchers Phil Batterham, Liz Dennis, Paul Chambers and Ben Hankamer talk about the potential and limitations of the genetic modification of foods. Presented by the University of Melbourne, July 2011

China 2.0. Kevin Rudd

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:46:49 +0000

In Melbourne at the invitation of Asialink, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd speaks about the economic rise and rise of China. In his speech, 'China 2.0', Rudd explains that China has recently developed a new growth model that will soon not only make it the largest economy in the world, but will bring huge opportunities for Australia. Asialink, July 2011

Wikileaks: Power and Consent. Raimond Gaita

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:00:28 +0000

Presenting as part of the Wednesday Lectures 2011, philosopher and author Raimond Gaita weighs up the ethics of the WikiLeaks project. He discusses WikiLeaks in the context of state power and people's relationship to it, as democratic governments become more secretive, more authoritarian and more reliant on spin. What is people's capacity to consent to their states’ actions in contemporary modern society, Gaita asks, and is WikiLeaks a legitimate response to a changing political environment? Presented by Melbourne Law School, June 2011

Pursuing Peace and Rights in Israel. Naomi Chazan

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:25:38 +0000

Naomi Chazan is a senior Israeli academic, an activist for peace and women’s rights, and a former member of the Knesset. In this wide-ranging conversation with Rafael Epstein, she examines the issues facing the region. Reflecting on this ‘extraordinary period in the Middle East’, she analyses the Palestinian experience of change in the region and the effect economic growth has had on its internal politics. She confesses to being ‘increasingly convinced that this is the most momentous period in Israel’s history since 1948’. Presented by the Wheeler Centre, July 2011

Genes, technology and the evolution of culture. Matt Ridley

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:59:46 +0000

Award-winning zoologist, science writer and author Dr Matt Ridley (UK) delivers the keynote address at the University of Melbourne's Festival of Ideas 2011. In it he explains how genes, culture and technology evolve to drive human innovation. Ridley has published articles and reviews in The Times, Guardian, Times Literary Supplement, Literary Review, New Scientist, Prospect, New Statesman, Time, Newsweek, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly and The Economist, and written more than 10 books. Presented by University of Melbourne, July 2011

Does WikiLeaks Matter? (p1)

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:34:51 +0000

Has the impact of WikiLeaks been as grave as we have been led to believe? Or is the need for WikiLeaks more acute than ever? Robert Manne, Eleanor Townsley, Guy Rundle and Peter Vale discuss WikiLeaks and its implications for the protection of high security information, the sanctity of freedom of speech and the future of technological innovation. The panel is chaired by Peter Beilharz.

Does Wikileaks Matter? (p2)

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:24:03 +0000

Has the impact of WikiLeaks been as grave as we have been led to believe? Or is the need for WikiLeaks more acute than ever? Chaired by Peter Beilharz, the panel comprising Robert Manne, Eleanor Townsley, Guy Rundle and Peter Vale explores WikiLeaks and its implications for access to information, security, first amendment rights and innovation. Presented by La Trobe University, June 2011

Conservatism in International Relations. Sam Roggeveen

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:19:13 +0000

In this Lowy Institute talk, Lowy Institute Fellow and blog editor Sam Roggeveen attempts to rescue conservatism from some of its most ardent supporters, including the neo-conservative movement and foreign policy realists. Much harm has been done in recent years in the name of conservatism, but a truly conservative approach to foreign policy is critical to negotiating the uncertain future we face in the Asian region. June 2011

The Alternative View. Daniel Altman

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:39:50 +0000

Why is there so much money in the world and yet so much poverty? And why do most economists care more about the former than the latter? Daniel Altman broke the mould when he left economic journalism to write a provocative and thought-changing book, Outrageous Fortunes, and to give advice on how to raise living standards in developing countries. At the Sydney Writers' Festival, he talks to Michael Sexton. Altman has written for The Economist, The International Herald Tribune and The New York Times, and is a former economic advisor to the British government. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival 2011

Mindfulness and leadership. Ellen Langer

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:23:14 +0000

Speaking at the ADC Future Summit in Melbourne, psychologist Ellen Langer speaks about the theory of mindfulness and how uncertainty and awareness affect the quality of our decision-making. Ellen Jane Langer is professor of psychology at Harvard University who has studied the illusion of control, decision making, aging and mindfulness theory. She was the first woman ever to be tenured in psychology at Harvard University and is the author of over 200 research articles and six academic books, including Mindfulness and The Power of Mindful Learning. ADC Future Summit 2011, Melbourne, June 2011

Fair share. Judith Brett and Don Watson

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:51:11 +0000

In her new Quarterly Essay, Fair Share: Country and City in Australia, Judith Brett explores an increasingly problematic division in Australia. As she tells Don Watson in this Wheeler Centre event, Australia no longer rides on the sheep’s back, and since the 1980s, when “economic rationalism” became the new creed, the country has felt abandoned, its contribution to the nation dismissed, its historic purpose forgotten. What, Brett asks, will be the fate of the country in an era of user-pays, water cutbacks, climate change, droughts and flooding rains? What are the prospects for a new compact between country and city in Australia in the twenty-first century? Presented by the Wheeler Centre, June 2011

Howard Jacobson on Comedy and The Finkler Question

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:58:52 +0000

Howard Jacobson, recipient of the 2010 Man Booker Prize for The Finkler Question, has revived the comic mode in fiction. In this Sydney Writers’ Festival event he talks with Fiona Giles about writing comedy. Jacobson is an award-winning writer and broadcaster. He has lectured at the University of Sydney and the University of Cambridge, where he studied under FR Leavis. His works include The Mighty Walzer, Kalooki Nights and his highly acclaimed novel The Act of Love. Presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival

Singapore Sling. Peter Lloyd and Shamini Flint

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:16:56 +0000

After being caught with drugs in Singapore, ABC journalist Peter Lloyd found himself in custody and facing a hefty prison term and possible caning. Singapore writer and former lawyer Shamini Flint has written of an expat facing a similar fate. In this Sydney Writers’ Festival event they speak with Sally Warhaft about crime and punishment in Singapore and throughout South-East Asia. Sydney Writers' Festival, May 2011

An Evening with Ingrid Betancourt

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:26:17 +0000

Ingrid Betancourt is a French–Colombian politician who was held hostage by FARC rebels in the Columbian jungle for over six years. Born in Colombia and raised in France, she returned to her birth country in 1989 to pursue a career in politics, and was elected to the legislature on an anti-corruption platform. While campaigning for president in 2002, she was kidnapped by FARC rebels and held captive until her rescue in 2008 by the Colombian military. Betancourt has published her memoir Even Silence Has an End. In this Wheeler Centre event she speaks with Peter Mares (ABC Radio National) about her life and experiences. Presented by the Wheeler Centre, June 2011

Reengineering Aid: A Bold Agenda for the 21st century. Sir Richard Feachem

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:54:35 +0000

At this noteworthy Wednesday Lunch at the Lowy Institute, Sir Richard Feachem summarises the history of foreign aid over the past 60 years, evidence of its effectiveness, and the current controversies that surround it. Feachem proposes some building blocks for a new foreign aid model, more suited to the geopolitical and economic realities of the twenty-first century. Presented by the Lowy Institute, May 2011

Red Tory: Phillip Blond on the Civic State and a New Conservatism

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 02:08:28 +0000

Phillip Blond, English political thinker and director of think tank ResPublica, is credited with the resurgence of conservatism in the UK. He is the man behind David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ agenda, and author of the highly influential book Red Tory: How Left and Right Have Broken Britain and How We Can Fix It. Speaking at the ADC Future Summit in Melbourne, Blond outlines his vision for a modern, radical conservatism: a new paradigm – the so-called ‘civic state’ – that offers to address the caste-forming effects of state welfarism, as well as the entrenched imbalances in access to capital of the neoliberal market philosophy. ADC Future Summit 2011, Melbourne, June 2011

Pakistan: A Hard Country. Anatol Lieven

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:40:24 +0000

In the past decade Pakistan has become a country of immense importance to its region, the US and the world. With almost 200 million people, a 500,000-man army, nuclear weapons and a large diaspora in Britain and North America, Pakistan is of singular importance in the volatile South Asia region. At this Wednesday Lunch at the Lowy Institute, Anatol Lieven, a professor in the department of war studies at King’s College, London, presents a portrait of a country with a deeply flawed but nonetheless working system, tougher and more resilient than is usually assumed. Presented by the Lowy Institute, June 2011

On the future of the book. James Gleick

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:21:08 +0000

For some kinds of books the writing is on the wall, but the concept of the book itself will survive, adapting to new technologies in the delivery of words, argues James Gleick in this timely and provocative Sydney Writers’ Festival Closing Address. The question is: Can we adapt? Gleick is an author, journalist and biographer whose books explore the cultural ramifications of science and technology. His most recent publication, The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood, is being hailed as his crowning work. Gleick is the author of the bestselling Chaos, Genius and Faster, and has penned a biography of Isaac Newton. Three of Gleick’s books have been Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalists, and translated into more than 20 languages.

The Tiger's Wife. Téa Obreht in conversation

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:01:34 +0000

Téa Obreht’s first novel The Tiger’s Wife has won the 2011 Orange Prize for Fiction, an award previously won by such luminaries as Zadie Smith and Lionel Shriver. In this Sydney Writers’ Festival event, she speaks about her book with Stephen Romei (the Australian). Obreht was born in 1985 in the former Yugoslavia and was raised in Belgrade, before emigrating to the United States in 1997. She is the youngest author on the New Yorker’s ‘20 Under 40’ list of best fiction writers.

Power, the State and the Wikileaks Effect. Guy Rundle

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:30:45 +0000

In the first of the Wednesday Lectures, hosted by Raimond Gaita at the Melbourne Law School, Guy Rundle speaks about the global impact of WikiLeaks. Two decades after the Berlin Wall came down, and a decade after 9/11 became the pretext for an attack on citizenship and civil liberties, a series of releases by WikiLeaks threw secret intelligence security and state control of information into chaos around the world. From the Icelandic rebellion against the global financial crisis, to the Arab Spring, both the quantity and quality of information released has changed the relationship between state, citizen and information. Guy Rundle is currently the UK correspondent for Crikey and a regular contributor to the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, among other publications.

Marcia Langton and Peter Robb in conversation

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:04:26 +0000

Following a Monthly profile on Indigenous academic Marcia Langton by author Peter Robb ('Midnight in Sicily', 'M', 'Street Fight in Naples'), Langton and Robb come together on stage at the Sydney Writers’ Festival for an intimate conversation about the common themes of their lives: difficult early years in Australia, exciting times abroad and life back in Australia subsequently. Presented by the Sydney Writers’ Festival, May 2011.

Medium raw. Anthony Bourdain in conversation

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:23:33 +0000

Anthony Bourdain perhaps more than anyone else on earth can lay claim to the invention of the 'celebrity chef'. In this Sydney Writers' Festival session he tells Jill Dupleix about his no-holds-barred journey into the culinary underworld. Anthony Bourdain is the author of the mega-bestsellers ‘Kitchen Confidential’, ‘A Cook’s Tour’, ‘Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook’ and ‘Medium Raw’. His writing has appeared in ‘The Times’, ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Observer’, ‘The Face’, and ‘Scotland on Sunday’. He is an ongoing contributor and authority for ‘Food Arts’ magazine. He is also the host of the Emmy Award-winning television show ‘No Reservations’.

Porn Wars. Dines, Cannold, Holden & Lumby

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:04:07 +0000

Is there ever a case for pornography, or should it be totally off-limits in an ethical society? Feminist anti-pornography activist Gail Dines, memoirist Kate Holden, and academic and gender politics advisor Catharine Lumby stand off in this heated Sydney Writers' Festival event chaired by Leslie Cannold. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival 2011

Climate whiplash. Curt Stager

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:40:29 +0000

Most debate over global warming looks only as far ahead as 2100 AD, but what happens after that? Speaking at the Sydney Writers' Festival, Curt Stager, author of ‘Deep Future: the Next 100,000 Years of Life on Earth,’ argues that our fossil fuel emissions will interfere with the climate for much longer than most of us realise. Curt Stager is an ecologist, paleoclimatologist and science writer. He has published over three dozen climate and ecology related articles in major journals and has written for popular audiences in periodicals such as ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Adirondack Life’. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival, May 2011

Pakistan: Nation on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Fatima Bhutto

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:45:16 +0000

Pakistan is a country plagued by natural disasters, endemic political corruption, religious fundamentalism and is claimed by many to be the central headquarters of Islamist terrorism. And it’s a nuclear power. Fatima Bhutto, scion of the Pakistani political family, addresses the current state of her country in her Opening Address at the Sydney Writers' Festival 2011. Fatima Bhutto is an Afghan-born Pakistani poet and writer. She is the granddaughter of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and niece of Benazir Bhutto (both assassinated). She is active in Pakistan's socio-political arena but has no desire to run for political office. She currently writes columns for ‘The Daily Beast’, ‘New Statesman’ and other publications. May 2011

Dick Smith's Population Crisis

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:38:56 +0000

Dick Smith's Population Crisis is Smith's new book exploring the crucial issue of unsustainable population growth around the world including, in his view, in Australia. In this interview with SlowTV's Nick Feik, Dick Smith explains why population is the issue that lies at the heart of many of the world's most pressing problems - food production challenges and price rises, water shortages, the unsustainable consumption of fossil fuels and climate change - and how society's quest for infinite economic growth is dangerously irresponsible, not to mention impossible to achieve. Melbourne, June 2011

The trouble we have talking about dying. Simon Longstaff

Mon, 30 May 2011 03:26:21 +0000

Simon Longstaff (St James Ethics Centre) speaks to the HOME Hospice 2011 conference about the trouble we have talking about death and dying. The conference was organised to stimulate discussion about why Australian communities at every level have lost their literacy around dying and death, and to explore ways of regaining it both personally and socially. Presented by HOME Hospice 'Live Talk Die' conference, Sydney, May 2011

I shall not hate. Izzeldin Abuelaish

Mon, 30 May 2011 04:59:55 +0000

This Sydney Writers' Festival session features one of the most extraordinary human stories you're likely to encounter. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Palestinian doctor and infertility expert who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. He trained in Egypt, London, Israel, Italy, Belgium and the US, and spent most of his working life working in Israel. His three daughters were killed in January 2009 during the Israeli incursion into Gaza. Dr Abuelaish continues to preach a message of peace and understanding. ‘I Shall Not Hate’ is his first book. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival, May 2011

The greatest gift: How and where we die (p1)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:21:52 +0000

Helen Garner, Joel Nathan and Kathy Lee share their personal stories and perspectives about caring for loved ones in their final weeks and moments. How did they approach it? What did they learn? How would they deal with it in a similar situation in the future? The discussion is hosted by Caroline Baum. Presented by HOME Hospice, Live Talk Die Conference, Sydney March 2011

The greatest gift: How and where we die (p2)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:09:35 +0000

A.A. Gill is here. With Caroline Baum

Thu, 26 May 2011 23:38:06 +0000

British writer A.A. Gill likes to eat well, he likes to travel and he likes to talk about sex. Visiting the Sydney Writers' Festival he managed to do all three. A.A. Gill is the famously acerbic TV and restaurant critic for The Sunday Times and is a contributing editor to GQ magazine, Vanity Fair and Australian Gourmet Traveller. His books include two novels, two travel books, A.A. Gill Is Away and Previous Convictions, as well as The Angry Island and Paper View. In this session he provokes and torments host Caroline Baum. Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival, May 2011

David Mitchell in conversation with Geordie Williamson

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:19:07 +0000

David Mitchell is one of the most inventive and skilled fiction writers of our time. In this much-anticipated Sydney Writers' Festival session, he speaks to The Australian's chief literary critic, Geordie Williamson. Mitchell’s first novel, Ghostwritten, was published in 1999 and shortlisted for The Guardian First Book Award. He followed this with number9dream, Cloud Atlas and Black Swan Green, all of which have been nominated for the Man Booker Prize. His most recent novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, is winner of the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book (South Asia and Europe). Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival, May 2011

Cities for people: A lecture by Jan Gehl

Wed, 25 May 2011 03:43:21 +0000

"Jan Gehl is our greatest observer of urban quality and an indispensable philosopher of cities as solutions to the environmental and health crises that we face" according to Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. Renowned Danish architect Jan Gehl, and frequent visitor to Melbourne, discusses his new book, Cities for People, his life long experience of urban development and the increasing connections between physical form and human behaviour. Presented by City of Melbourne, May 2011