The truth about cats and dogs

A new study shows the benefits of dog ownership of easing loneliness during lockdown, although cats weren’t always so happy with having their owners at home.

Green-time beats screen-time for kids

A University of Adelaide review of 186 studies from around the world has found “green time” is far better for children and adolescents mental health and academic achievement than screen time.

The man from Inverbrackie

In the 1890s, near Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, a ghost appeared and threatened passers-by on the road to Inverbrackie – has his spirit returned to haunt us again today?

Confessions – On mateship

In this touching personal essay on friendship and loss, Mark Nicol reflects on the very Australian notion of ‘mateship’.

What’s the big idea?

COVID-19 narrowed our activity, interactions and experiences, making our lives smaller and more mundane. How can people get their creative mojo back for 2021?

Successful leaders are ‘one of us’

A successful leader is one who creates a shared sense of unity and identity in the groups they lead, according to University of Queensland research.

The long war

Neanderthals and modern humans evolved from a common ancestor, but were engaged in brutal guerrilla-style warfare across the globe for over 100,000 years until the last of their kind were wiped out 40,000 years ago.

Home is where the heart is

The coronavirus has exposed long standing problems with Australia’s aged care homes, but a little support could go a long way to help us stay in our homes and age with grace.

Counterpoint by Mark Nicol – The super-dominant predator

Forget sharks, bears tigers and even viruses – mankind remains the most terrifyingly effective predator the world has ever seen, with our brains proving far more dangerous to the rest of the natural world than the claws and teeth of our long-vanquished competitors.

This year – A Victorian perspective

As Victoria finally emerges from its long lock-down and travel restrictions begin to ease between the states, Alan Stevenson looks back at the experience and finds rays of hope for his community in what has been a dark year for the country.

The comforts of solitude

Over the past seven months, many of us have got closer to experiencing the kind of solitude long sought by monks, nuns, philosophers and misanthropes. For some, this has brought loneliness, but religions and literature have a rich tradition exploring the benefits of being alone.

A sailor with the sea in his soul

Sam Bateman, one of Australia’s and the region’s finest maritime and strategic thinkers and leaders. died last week at the age of 82.