Think: Digital Futures

Latest Episodes:

Simulating the Universe Mar 12, 2018

Show notes

The first episode of 2018 tackles the biggest question of our time: does anyone actually care whether or not we’re living in a computer simulation?

As our understanding of the universe expands, the question of whether we’re living in a computer simulation has shifted from the domain of philosophers into a problem for astrophysics. Because at their astonishingly fast rate of discovery, astrophysicists will be the first ones to know.

We chat to astrophysicists Martin Bell (University of Technology Sydney) and Geraint Lewis (Sydney University) about just how close we are to simulating the world.

You can find more information about the Millennium Simulation here.

How An Algorithm Learns To Be Racist Dec 06, 2017

Show notes

A recent report revealed the NSW Police Force are using an algorithm based on the idea of "predictive policing". It's aim is to trawl through police records spotting potential re-offending criminals before they've committed a crime. It's called the Suspect Target Management Plan and it's designed to reduce violence in the community. So why is it targeting Aboriginal children? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Lotte, Social Worker Jo Travaglia, Professor of Health Services and Management in the Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney Sophie Parker, Redfern Legal Centre Vicki Sentas, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of New South Wales, co-author of Policing Young People in NSW Megan Williams, Graduate School of Health at the University of Technology Sydney Special Thanks to Karrah Ceissman For the full statement from the NSW Police Force head to 2ser.com/think-digital-futures

Why Is The Internet So Slow In Australia? Nov 26, 2017

Show notes

Australia's internet speeds are notoriously poor. This is backed up by a recent report ranking us 51st in the world when it comes to connection speeds. But what does a ranking like this actually mean and can the much-maligned National Broadband Network lift us back up? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Robin Braun, Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney Alice & Jason

How Much Can Machines Tell Us About The Brain? Nov 19, 2017

Show notes

When it comes to what we don't know about the human brain...well, there's a lot we don't know. So when it comes to melding our brains with computers, there's a lot of sticky questions we need to answer. Brain Machine Interfaces (BCI's) have the potential to change the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. So should they be used for commercial, recreational or medical purposes? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson, Ellen Leabeater, Miles Herbert Speakers: CT Lin, Professor in the School of Software at the University of Technology Sydney Tim Chen, Lecturer in the School of Software at the University of Technology Sydney Julie Layfelt Eran Klein, Neurologist and Philosopher at BCI Centre Fred Gilbert, ARC Decra Fellow at the University of Tasmania

Why We Need A Sociology Of Big Data Nov 12, 2017

Show notes

Knowledge is power. So when we tick 'yes' on the terms and conditions and volunteer information about the minuscule details of our online lives, what are we actually giving corporations the power to do? The invisible processes of big data collection are starting to seep out into our offline lives. It's changing everything from healthcare to criminal justice. This episode features a conversation with two researchers calling for a sociology of data. We need to take a closer look at the social consequences of big data collection, and question why it's often shrouded in secrecy. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Jo Travaglia, University of Technology Sydney Hamish Robertson, University of New South Wales

Can Virtual Environments Help Us Save The Real One? Nov 05, 2017

Show notes

Virtual reality immerses us in artificial experiences of the real world. It has the power to give equal access to the hidden corners of the natural world, and allow us to see nature from a new perspective. Research also shows VR can create empathy with the environment you're experiencing. But how far does this empathy go? This is the second half of our exploration of the relationship between technology and the environment. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Ryan Watson, Head of Community Engagement at New Horizons Catherine Maree Smith, Ambassador for Parallel Parks Glenn Albrecht, Retired Lecturer in Sustainability at Murdoch University Jeremy Walker, Lecturer in Environment, Culture and Society at the University of Technology Sydney Parallel Parks are raising money to expand the VR to make Australia's national parks accessible to everyone. Follow this link to donate: http://go.newhorizons.org.au/2SER

What Happens When You Email Nature Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

When City of Melbourne launched the Urban Forest Visual strategy to gather data on the city's 77,000 trees, something happened they didn't plan for. In an attempt to engage the community in the data collection process, they added an email function so residents could notify the council if a tree needed help. Instead, the council received an outpouring of love letters, drawings and tributes to the urban environment. So they decided to write back... This is the first half of a two-part episode viewing nature through the digital lens. How is technology changing our understanding of the world around us? Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Producer: Miles P Herbert Speakers: Councillor Cathy Oke, City of Melbourne Jeremy Walker, Lecturer in Environment, Culture and Society at the University of Technology Sydney http://melbourneurbanforestvisual.com.au/

Can Tech Raise Our Children Better Than We Can? Oct 22, 2017

Show notes

From robots in the classroom to apps that track your pre-schooler's every move, this episode explores the ways technology is integrating into the school environment. What role can tech take on in the classroom, and could they one day do a better job than humans? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Jason L'Ecuyer Speakers: Mark Woodland, CEO of Xplor Nour Azar, new parent Damien Maher, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education at University of Technology Sydney Muneeb Ahmad, PhD student at Western Sydney University Kiera (year 5) & Desharn (year 7), test subjects

REBROADCAST: Is Technology Killing Democracy? Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

It's 2SER's Supporter Drive so we're replaying some of our favourite stories from this season. We're also asking our listeners to call us on 95149500 or head to 2ser.com/donate to support independent journalism and help keep us on air. Traditionally, democracy and technological innovation went hand in hand. In the 19th century, the printing press let the public share their views for the first time. In the 20th century, television and radio helped news spread across the globe. But in the 21st century, social media is opening the floodgates for an age of information overload. Can a healthy democracy still operate in 140 characters or less? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Miles P Herbert Speakers: Emma Balfour, Honours student at the University of Sydney Carl Rhodes, Professor of Organizational Studies at the University of Technology Sydney Jonathan Marshall, Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney Daya Thussu, Professor of International Communication at the University of Westminster

REBROADCAST: What Will The Future Sound Like? Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

It's 2SER's Supporter Drive so for the next two weeks you'll be hearing some of our highlights from the year so far. In the meantime, we're asking listeners to make a donation to keep us on air. Go to 2ser.com/donate to support community radio. Close your eyes. What can you hear? Our sense of hearing is often overlooked but our ears are capable of communicating information to us in ways we don't even realise are happening. The growing field of sonification is all about harnessing our sense of hearing. An increasing number of artists, researchers and storytellers are using sonification to challenge the ways we imagine our future. Originally aired: 14/8/2017 Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Gail Priest, Sound Artist Mark O'Connor, Learning Technologist at the University of Technology Sydney Leah Borromeo, co-founder Climate Symphony Katherin Round, co-founder Climate Symphony Jamie Perera, co-founder Climate Symphony Martin Keary, Youtuber "Tantacrul"

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