http://hdl.handle.net/2328/7464 The Festival features a range of talks and panel discussions with national and international speakers. 2013-05-23T09:04:24Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/25648 Title: The Evolution of Stories Authors: Boyd, Brian Abstract: Adelaide Festival of Ideas session, Hetzel Lecture Theatre, 2:30pm, Saturday 8th October, 2011. Chaired by Robert Phiddian, poetry read by Erica Jolly.; Art and literature are, by definition, artificial things. People lavish a lot more effort and attention on them than really makes sense in practical terms. Are they just extras, mere entertainment designed to fill a bit of time? Or are they adaptations that, through play, help the human mind develop power and complexity, even wisdom? How do stories play a role in human evolution? 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/25647 Title: Immortality... Reality? Authors: Savulescu, Julian; Wood, Fiona; Partridge, Brad; Willis, Paul Abstract: Adelaide Festival of Ideas session, Adelaide Town Hall, 1:30pm, Saturday 8th October, 2011. Chaired by Paul Willis.; Cambridge researcher Aubrey de Grey believes the first human to live to 150 has already been born, and the first human to live to 1000 will probably be born within 20 years. Is it really possible to live to 1000? But more importantly - would you want to? Human cells can divide a limited number of times before their DNA becomes corrupt, but could advances in genetic technology allow cells to divide infinitely? Hosted by Paul Willis, RiAus Director & ABC Catalyst presenter, our expert panel will discuss the implications for our bodies, minds and society. Would you want to be immortal? 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/25646 Title: Kicking the Infrastructure Habit Authors: Gardner-Stephen, Paul Mark; Mackie, Greg Abstract: Adelaide Festival of Ideas session, Elder Hall, 1:15pm, Saturday 8th October, 2011. This is the Jim Bettison Memorial Oration, chaired by Greg Mackie.; Modern communications systems use extensive and expensive infrastructure to deliver services we could only dream of a few decades ago. This works for those who enjoy peace and sufficient wealth, but fails to reach the last billion people in poorer countries, as well as those in remote, emergency or disaster situations. Now modern mobile phones have the potential to communicate directly, to form networks without reliance on any infrastructure. The Serval Project based at Flinders University is turning this dream into a reality. It is working to make communications available to everyone, anywhere, any time - especially to those who need it most. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/25645 Title: Inaction Will Cost Us Our Future Authors: McKenzie, Amanda Abstract: Adelaide Festival of Ideas session, Old Methodist Meeting Hall, 1:00pm, Saturday 8th October, 2011. Chaired by Barbara Hardy.; In a recent survey 7 out of 10 members of Generation Y believe older Australians are shifting responsibility for action on climate change into the future. Ninety per cent believe they will have to pay a high price to address climate change. So often, young Australians have heard themselves labeled the ‘Me Generation’. But the irony of that tag is now nowhere more obvious than through the self-interest on display from older generations of decision-makers on climate change. The real question from young Australians is: why not act? We take sensible precautions to protect life and property from the possibility of fire, so why would we not take sensible precautions on pollution and climate change? 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z