Where have all the artists gone?

The artistic population of Greater Sydney is shrinking and becoming less culturally diverse as housing costs rise.

Civic patriotism strengthens our democracy

Liberal democracies therefore have a strategic interest in cultivating a confident civic patriotism that strengthens social cohesion, reinforces institutional legitimacy and supports national resilience.

Maxing out

Counting tokens is one measure of AI activity, which is itself intended as a measure of productivity, which in turn leaves aside the question of what is being produced. Not only is tokenmaxxing a dubious metric in itself, but it may also distort our vision of what actually matters.

How AI rots our information

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and his Columbia University colleague Maxim Ventura-Bolet argue that AI is destroying our ‘information environment’ through regurgitated slop and deliberate misinformation.

One Nation romps home in Farrer

One Nation’s storming victory in the Farrer by-election has fired up the insurgent party and cast fresh doubts over the future of the beleaguered Liberal Party.

No money, no friends and no trust in others

New survey results show that Australians are less trusting and more financially stressed than every before, underlining the need for the Federal government to take wellbeing measures more seriously.

Mushroom clouds

Romy Ash’s new novel Mantle explores the idea that a pathogen might make us wake up to ourselves and change course to save both the environment we depend on and ourselves.

Growing pains

Economic growth, particularly in energy-intensive nations, is slowing as the Middle East war continues to throttle exports of oil, plastics and fertiliser but is it time to rethink the concept of economic growth from its core?

How computers decide who gets care

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is moving towards computer-guided planning tools to generate budgets after participants’ support needs are assessed but many worry this amounts to a form of “robo-planning”.

Ageing well in a digital world

As Australia and the world face rapidly ageing populations, technology is increasingly promoted as the answer to helping older people live safely, independently and well – but experts warn that innovation alone is not enough.

Them or us?

Everyone on earth takes a private vote by pressing a red or blue button. If more than 50% of people press the blue button, everyone survives. If less than 50% of people press the blue button, only people who pressed the red button survive. Which button would you press?

An unfair go

Disadvantage is a concept that goes beyond income poverty to encompass people’s outcomes, including deprivation and social exclusion, so what does disadvantage look like in Australia today?