Where Are We At With...?
A podcast that brings you up to date with the promises of the future, made in the past.
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Recent Episodes
Where Are We At With Democracy?
Democracy is in danger. Around the world, the number people living in a democratic system is shrinking, and some of the biggest and most powerful democracies are showing dramatic signs of falling apart. If our vote doesn't guarantee our voice is heard, what can we do? Saffron Zomer is the CEO and founder of the Australian Democracy Network, an advocacy group intended to fight for a system Winston Churchill famously said was the worst form of government, except for all the other ones. Wh…
Where Are We At With Crown of Thorns?
Coral reefs are under immense pressure around the world. Climate change, oil spills, pollution, plastics and tourists are all contributing. But for more than 60 years, we've been aware of another threat that is part of the reef ecosystem itself. The Crown of Thorns Starfish is voracious, venomous and very, very hard to stop. Professor Morgan Pratchett from James Cook University has spent three decades studying the creature in an effort to fight back.
Where Are We At With Sneakers?
The first casual running shoes were invented in the 1970s, and within 50 years, some of them are so good that they're banned for competitions. But our feet didn't evolve to wear shoes. Millenia of improvements left humans with unique, brilliantly adapted structures for movement. A big brain and fast feet took us to the top of the ancient food chain. Now, we wear shoes every day, and for myriad activities. People like Professor Glen Lichtwark from QUT are trying to discover how we m…
Where Are We At With Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus trees define the Australian landscape. However, what sustained First Nations Australians for millennia mystified and frightened European colonisers. Now, Eucalypts are grown around the world, often causing immense damage to the local economy, environment and culture. One of the world's most respected botanists, Professor Stephen Hopper from the University of Western Australia, explains what modern science can tell us about these trees, and how ancient knowledge can help prote…
Where Are We At With Consciousness?
What does our brain do when we dream? Can we tell if someone is dreaming just by scanning their brainwaves? What do we mean by conscious? Does ADHD make the brain act like it's dreaming during the day? How many people are actually aware during hospital operations?
Just some of the deep and challenging questions that people like Professor Nao Tsuchiya from Monash University are trying to answer, using science, philosophy, psychology and maths.
"Operation Winston"
1943. The British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, is dealing with the greatest threat to his nation since the Spanish Armada. But somehow, he makes it known that he wishes Australia to send him some live platypuses. Incredible, but true. This is a bonus addition to our most recent episode, "Where Are We At With Platypuses?".
Recent Blog Posts
Idea-ology
The one question asked more than any other, yes, even more than "How can I pay your show lots of money to keep making these fantastic episodes?", is "How do you come up with ideas?".I could say it's the WAWAWPod "Magic Eight Ball" or dial phone nu…
The wonder, and pain, of AI
For authors, it's the cover of the book. For podcasters, it's the show's logo.A creative design that everyone sees the first time they encounter the show. It has to be more than the title, but it also has to give a feel for the theme, character an…
This thing has momentum, and an insatiable appetite.
It's been a long time between drinks. And by drinks I mean productive outputs that aren't just dad jokes, or cooking family dinners. For several years now, a variety of podcast ideas have been flashing, shiny objects flaring in my head, and, in true…
About the Host
Podcast host
David Curnow is an award-winning journalist, newsreader, and television and radio host with more than 20 years’ experience. His endless curiosity, and delight in speaking to smart people about the incredible work they do works hand in hand with the desire to find out what’s going on with all those stories of the next big thing or world-changing technology.
Let’s be honest, journalists and podcasters are all just gossips wanting to be the ones to tell you something. It’s just in this case it’s well worth knowing.