Think: Digital Futures
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Simulating the Universe
12 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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? ...
How An Algorithm Learns To Be Racist
06 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
Why Is The Internet So Slow In Australia?
26 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How Much Can Machines Tell Us About The Brain?
19 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Why We Need A Sociology Of Big Data
12 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Can Virtual Environments Help Us Save The Real One?
05 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 wo...
What Happens When You Email Nature
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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. I...
Can Tech Raise Our Children Better Than We Can?
22 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 scho...
REBROADCAST: Is Technology Killing Democracy?
16 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
REBROADCAST: What Will The Future Sound Like?
11 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 li...
Will Man Become Machine In 2045?
02 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There's a growing movement of people who want to harness the technological revolution in order to push our minds and bodies beyond biological limitati...
Why You Can't Buy Pizza With Bitcoin
24 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We're in the middle of a "Bitcoin boom". The price of the digital currency is shooting past the price of gold. And it's not the only cryptocurrency ha...
Everyone Wants To Be Sherlock Holmes
17 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our lives are increasingly being lived on the internet. Everything from social interaction, buying groceries, to committing crimes now happens online....
How To Survive In Space
10 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With commercial space flights fast becoming a reality, there's every chance you might travel to outer space in your lifetime. But we are boldly goin...
Is It Really The "Digital Divide" That Separates Us?
04 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear about the need to close the "digital divide" in Australia - that is, the gulf between those who are digitally included and those who are...
Because It's There
27 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
From communications satellites to commercial space flights, our atmosphere is open for business. And with the space industry currently generating more...
What Will The Future Sound Like?
13 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 do...
How Is Sex Technology Changing Intimacy?
06 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
When William Butler invented one of the first electromagnetic stimulators in the 1880s, he was pretty chuffed. His unwieldy machine appeared to be a g...
The Spectacle Of Social Media In China
30 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With 830 million users worldwide, when a video goes viral on WeChat it really goes viral. Last year, a dark genre of videos featuring grisly accidents...
Is Technology Killing Democracy?
23 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Traditionally, democracy and technological innovation went hand in hand. In the 19th century, the printing press let the public share their views for ...
When Our Social Problems Go Digital
16 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp or any combination of the above, social media apps are changing the way we relate to each other. ...
Are Data Scientists Innovating Themselves Out Of A Job?
09 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012, the Harvard Business Review called Data Science the 'Sexiest Job of the Century'. It's not hard to see why - data scientists are at the vangu...
Creativity In The Digital Age
02 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Technology has opened up new possibilities for art to push the boundaries like never before. From an AI art blogger to intricate visualisations of our...
Don't Run With Molecular Scissors
25 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With revolutions in gene editing technology, scientists are developing ways to wipe out out genetic diseases like cancer, and also opening up the poss...
How Data Is Decoding Healthcare
17 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
As the needs of the population begin to change, so too does the way we deliver healthcare. In collaboration with Think: Health, we look at how data is...
REBROADCAST: How Phones Are A New Front In The Fight Against Domestic Violence
11 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Having a device in your pocket 24/7 opens up new opportunities for abusers to control and spy on their partners. But it's also an opportunity for dome...
The Double-edged Sword Of Data
04 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we get caught up thinking data and science are the be all and end all - it can give us a lot of answers sure, but the devil is in the detail...
Preparing For The Quantum Revolution
27 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's more likely than not we'll see quantum computers in the next few decades, so what issues do we need to consider before they arrive? We examine ho...
Mining High Court Data
20 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The High Court is the last court of appeal in Australia, but not everyone gets a chance at the final say. Parties have to apply to have a matter heard...
The Future Of Drug Crime
14 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation is a blessing and a curse in the fight against global drug trafficking. Think: Digital Futures explores the changing landscape of recreatio...
How Do We Transition To Driverless Cars?
07 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Driverless cars could be sold in Australia in three years time, and it's expected these cars will be the norm in 15 years time. So how to we start the...
How To Break Up Online
30 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We find love online, we share our love online, but what happens to our relationships when we break up offline? This week, we look at how social media ...
What Is The Internet Doing To Our Heads?
22 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We spend more time online than offline, so what is all this screen time doing to our heads? Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Presenter: Ellen Leab...
What Do We Do With All Our E-waste?
16 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Think about all the electrical devices in your home. Your phone, kettle, computer, washing machine... the list goes on. It's estimated that each house...
How Do We Design Social Robots?
09 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Social robots are no longer a thing of science fiction, they're beginning to enter nursing homes, schools, and your home. So how do you design a socia...
Why We Need More Kids In STEM
30 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's report card for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) participation needs some work. But what's the best way to get kids engag...
How Do We Design A Post-industrial City?
26 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our jobs are changing, and so are our cities. We have data coming out of our ears to make cities efficient and more sustainable. But are we at risk of...
How Do We Regulate Robots?
19 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Robots and artificial intelligence are moving from the factory floor into the car, the home and our workplace. If we are interacting with this technol...
Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Capitalism?
09 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There's no doubt that artificial intelligence is going to be smarter than humans - they're already driving cars and sorting files for us. So if no job...
How To Hack An Insulin Pump
02 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How easy is it to hack into an insulin pump or pacemaker? Should we be worried? ---------------------------------- Presenter/Producer: Ellen Leabeate...
How Data Is Fostering Less Invasive Medicine
04 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In a collaboration with Think: Health, this week we're taking a look at a few examples of non-invasive medical tech - tracking blood sugar without blo...
Playing Games With AI
14 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year Google managed to do something many thought impossible - they built an artificial intelligence that beat a human at the board game G...
Tech Is Coming For One Of The Oldest Art Forms
06 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Stalker theatre, a Sydney-based theatre group that is experimenting with code and live performance.
How To Design Technology For A Human
29 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Nomatter how exciting it may be, when new technology is developed, it's often really hard to use. The first few years of mainframes, smartphones and a...
REBROADCAST: Why Are People Going Analogue?
21 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This year saw a record number of vinyl records sold. It's a 28 year high, but the trend has been going this way for a while. But with so many digital ...
REBROADCAST: A Peek Inside A More Diverse World
15 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week and next are supporter drive here at 2ser, and Jake and Josh are busy cooking up some live shows to help us raise money and keep the station...
Talking Data With Prof Michael Blumenstein
08 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
UTS Professor Michael Blumenstein is someone we've had on the show a bit, helping us explain big data, new data, weird data and much else. On this wee...
It's Not Just Big Data, But New Data Too
01 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Analytics and "Big Data" are becoming ever more prevalent, as new technology brings down costs and statistics is brought to bear in new and interestin...
How Tech Is Coming After Fashion
24 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Technology has always been a part of fashion -- scissors and sewing machines are a good example. But recent technological revolutions haven't been mir...
Cobbling Together A Big Data Set
18 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When you think about big data, you're probably imagining something high tech. But when it comes to science, big data sets doesn't always look like thi...
How Phones Are A New Front In The Fight Against Domestic Violence
11 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Our devices are everywhere and we use them for everything. This opens up new opportunities for abusers to control and spy on their partners. But it'...
Why Are People Going Analogue?
03 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Analogue is exploding. More vinyl records were sold this year than we've seen since 1980s. It's so big, manufacturers can't keep up. But in a world of...
How Computers Changed Design
26 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
For a long time our ability to design complex structures was stunted. Bridges, buildings; they all looked the same. We didn't know why what we were do...
Finding The Humanity In Online Gaming
21 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to online games; graphics or gameplay mechanics or story are important, but the people more so. In this episode we take a look at the hu...
Are We Doing The Right Thing With Tech In Schools?
11 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Australia has spent an extraordinary amount on technology. Just think of all the smart boards and laptops and desktops and tablets and whatever else. ...
How Blockchains Will Revolutionise The Way We Trust
04 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
When you talk to people making blockchains, it's all about trust. Blockchains are a way of creating trust between strangers, through code. We take a l...
What Its Like When You Have More Women In Tech
28 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Gender diversity in the startup world leaves a lot to be desired. Which is weird, considering startups are in the business of solving problems. So, wh...
How Reality Dating Shows Changed Love
25 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Reality shows have been around for a while now. They come in all shapes and sizes, from all manner of cultures. But how have they changed that culture...
How Will The Internet Change Education?
16 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Schooling is something we all have in common, and also something we all have ideas about changing. But it doesn't seem like the schools of the future ...
What Will Work Look Like In 50 Years?
10 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The workplace is constantly changing. But while you may think the next upheaval is going to come from artificial intelligence or virtual reality, the ...
When Your Jeep Breaks Down In Enemy Territory
03 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
It's a sad truth that with war, often comes innovation. And with the end of an industry comes the potential for a new one. So what innovation will we ...
Media Disruption: When Free Content Isn't Really Free
27 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the digital age, we have access to more media than ever before. But in a world where nothing is ever free, what are you prepared to pay for good co...
How Do You Plan For A Job That Doesn't Exist Yet?
20 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
We take a look at the jarring impact of disruption and what it will mean for future careers. And just because you're a digital native, doesn't mean yo...
Hey Doc, Take A Look Inside My Genes?
04 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the future, your doctor takes virtual reality trips into your genome. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull Production assistance by ...
Interview With Claude Roux
29 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Forensic science has gone digital. Professor Claude Roux explains the ubiquity of following digital traces in today's criminal investigations. Produc...
A Future Without Banks
22 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Two societies. One with financial institutions larger than governments, the other with almost no banking. Are there realistic alternatives to big bank...
Why Fingerprinting Is The New DNA
14 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Home invasions that terrorised Blacktown in 1973 help explain why fingerprinting is making a comeback. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bu...
Interview With Carolyn McGregor
01 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Carolyn McGregor uses big data to help save premature babies' lives and to monitor astronauts' mental health.
How We See The World
23 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
What if your brain could only see one piece of an object at a time? Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull
A Quantum Computer Does What?
16 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Find out how your life will change with quantum computers, and explore a lab trying to build the first. Created for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes:...
Tracking Your Mind
09 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Fitbits and other activity trackers can save your life. But what do they do to your mind? Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes...
A Quest To See And Hear Big Data
31 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Caving, giant robots, & space travel: my quest to see and hear Big Data. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes: https://itunes....