The three body problem

Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem – the first volume in his popular science fiction trilogy Remembrance of Earth’s Past – has entertained and challenged readers since first appearing in Chinese in 2006 and is now coming to Netflix.

Among the narcissus

The vain, self obsessed Narcissus is among the best-known figures from Greek mythology, and his story and fate have continued relevance today in an age of social media and self-obsession.

Farewell to the cockney rebel

’70s glam rock icon Steve Harley, renowned for hits like Make Me Smile, leaves a powerful musical legacy which echoes to this day.

Remembering Mike McColl Jones

Mike McColl Jones, Australia’s most admired, enduring and prodigious comedy writer has died, having made the nation laugh for over 40 years in the heyday of live variety TV.

You’ll never find me

The new Australian psychological horror film You’ll Never Find Me is an unsettling and economical chamber piece that makes effective use of its limited location and dialogue-heavy script.

Happiness without freedom, or freedom without happiness

This year is the centenary of Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin’s dystopian novel We – a major influence on George Orwell’s dystopia 1984 and a seminal work of science fiction.

It happened one night – 90 years ago

Frank Capra’s cynical romantic fable, It Happened One Night, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and is well due a critical revisit.

Political bees and talking pigs

The differences and similarities between humans and (other) animals fascinated ancient philosophers and story tellers, and are still a point of scientific and moral contention today.

How to have better arguments

Taking steps to fine-tune our argument style can help clarify our thoughts, increase positive debate, reduce anger and emotion, and help us reach a common understanding of the truth more often.

Retail music

Rasta reggae great Bob Marley died of cancer at just 36 years old, and those that profit from his estate have been shamelessly raking in money on the back of his name and revolutionary image ever since.

Come and get it

A fresh and intimate portrait of desire, consumption and reckless abandon, Kiley Reid’s second novel “Come and Get It” is a tension-filled story about money, indiscretion, and bad behavior.

Myth and religion

Religions have been the repositories and interpreters of myths and sacred stories and the creators of rituals to express them, but as religions become institutionalised or associated with secular political power, they are all too often distorted for self-serving purposes.