We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other. A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people.How can we solve this conundrum?Original broadcast on May 22, 2022GuestsDr Stuart Gietel Basten — Professor of Social Science and Policy, Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyDr Marco Amati — Associate professor of International Planning, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT UniversityDeborah Devis — Science CommunicatorDr Anumitra Mirti — Senior Associate — Sustainability, BecaProfessor Nick Parr — Demographer, Macquarie University
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Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma
South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could prove invaluable for other regional neighbours in responding to future economic and military aggression.Journalist Matt Smith has this special report…GuestsDr Troy Lee Brown — Research Fellow, Defense and Security Institute, University of Western AustraliaProfessor Bec Strating — Director, La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe UniversityDr Mike Bosack — Special Advisor for Government Relations, Yokosuka Council for Asia-Pacific StudiesDongkeun Lee — Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership NetworkDr Duyeon Kim — Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security
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A turning point for the United Nations
Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched a major internal reform programme, but there are questions about whether his approach will rescue the global body or just cause further damage.GuestsAssociate Professor Chris Ogden — Director of Global Studies, University of AucklandEugene Chen — Senior Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York UniversityRichard Gowan — Director of UN Affairs, International Crisis GroupRoland Rich — former Australian ambassador. Director of the United Nations and Global Policy Master of Arts program, Rutgers University
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The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life"
Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if the cells can't be controlled. And that's prompted calls for a moratorium on the research.GuestsAssociate Professor Kate Adamala — Synthetic biologist and professor of genetics, University of MinnesotaProfessor Andrew Ellington — Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at AustinProfessor Heather Douglas — Department of Philosophy, Michigan State UniversityAjay Kshatriya — CEO Aizen Therapeutics
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The world after us!
What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many predict?GuestsProfessor Sarah Gabbott — Paleobiologist, University of LeicesterJoanna Thompson — Freelance science journalist based in New YorkDr Christen Cornell — Research Fellow and Manager of Research Partnerships, Creative AustraliaMusical artists heard in this episode - Jim Beavis, The RandomiZZZed ExperienceFurther informationListening In Research series
UK