June 2024
My nuclear talk was cancelled. Here is what I would have said.
My presentation to Engineers Australia would have outlined why a nuclear-based energy system would cost consumers half as much with four times fewer emissions.
July 2023
The real story of Oppenheimer and Einstein’s unlikely friendship
Dynamic but psychologically disturbed, Robert Oppenheimer became close after the war to the much older Albert Einstein, who he admired but saw as unworldly.
January 2023
The Voice is not going to fix Alice Springs
Any policy that does not increase economic participation and independence is a waste of time and money.
‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight than ever before
The threats of nuclear war, disease, and climate volatility have been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, putting humanity at greater risk of annihilation.
July 2022
Why handwritten letters and cards are one of your most powerful tools
Forget emails, texts or social media posts. There are some situations where a personal letter is the best form of communication.
March 2022
How high achievers thrive on just a few hours sleep
New research may explain how exceptional people those high on ambition and optimism thrive on just a few hours a night.
January 2022
Economist Woody Brock on why Kerry Packer was lucky
The eccentric polymath, who has advised many high-profile Aussies, can play a Bach toccata just as well as he can pose an economic theorem or a dirty joke.
June 2021
Berners-Lee to auction web source code as NFT
The founder of the world wide web made nothing from his creation, but is hoping origins of the web will prove a valuable artefact in as the NFT market stalls.
June 2020
Who needs an ABC channel for comedy with real life on hand?
The line between real news stories and the ABC's nightly offering of old comedies was just too thin.
May 2019
Between the world wars, a glimpse of starlight gave hope for science
Advances in science and technology prevent history from repeating itself, at least not exactly.
April 2019
Einstein couldn't believe his own black hole theory
Albert Einstein would have been pleased, but maybe also a bit surprised, by the announcement of the first ever close-up image of a supermassive black hole.