The US used foreign investment to develop a new car industry, a lesson Australia hasn't learned

Oct 10, 2016 00:14 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

In Australia, car makers have come to be seen by many as more of a cost than a benefit, a failing industry that was too reliant on government handouts. But in the United States, many state governments have attracted...

Genuine democracy involves more than just polling people

Oct 10, 2016 00:11 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

What is the best way to resolve conflicts in a democracy? This question took centre stage in South Africa after the University of the Witwatersrand (known as Wits) set up an electronic poll to ask students and staff...

'Don't feed the trolls' really is good advice – here's the evidence

Oct 09, 2016 23:43 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Almost half the population of the planet now has access to the internet, with about one in three of those people regularly active on social media. But this increased opportunity to socialise and communicate in a virtual...

We don't know why South Australia's wind farms stopped working, so hold off on the blame game

Oct 07, 2016 16:20 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Australias energy ministers are meeting today in an emergency gathering following South Australias recent state-wide blackout. The blackout, following wild weather across the state, has seen an extraordinary response...

Stories from the Holocaust prisoners forced to work in the gas chambers should be heard, not silenced

Oct 07, 2016 16:14 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

On October 7 1944, a group of prisoners in Auschwitz-Birkenau took up tools and stones and attacked their SS guards. Some attempted to flee, others ran into a nearby building and set it on fire. Another section of their...

Friday essay: the sound of fear

Oct 07, 2016 15:55 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health

Common idioms such as seeing is believing give our eyes the central role in our engagement with the world. But there is little doubt that listening plays a critical part in how we navigate and understand our...

'It's all about me, me, me!' Why children are spending less time doing household chores

Oct 07, 2016 15:47 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

In August, Treasurer Scott Morrison warned that Australia has a generation growing up expecting government handouts. Researchers have labelled this the Me Generation. Some even say we are facing a me, me, me...