Fuzzy Logic Science Show

We all like a bit of technology, but where is it leading us?  Smart phones, cameras, lie detectors, sex dolls all bring their pleasures, but what do we gain, what do we lose? Can you imagine a religion founded on technology? What happens when the police bail you up with hand held polygraph lie detectors?  Nothing's ever as simple as it seems at first glance. Today's guests are two writers who've d...

Why would a musician need a physiotherapist, and how do cicadas clean their wings are two fascinating question we discover on today's Fuzzy Logic. Simon Kravis interviews Bronwyn Ackermann Pozzible Thanks!

This week Fuzzy regular Broderick is joined by Jill from the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre to talk about marine science in Australia.  They interview scientists who are talking at the Who Cares? Marine Science Forum which is happening on May 4 & 5.  For more details check out www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

There's something about exploring that fires the imagination.  And nothing quite so humbling and inspiring as the thought of delicate little spacecraft way out there in the blackness of space. Robert Brand has a finger in every imaginable pie in space communications, 'extreme' communications in mine tunnels, ham radio, missions to Mars and the Moon.  Even amateur high altitude balloon flights. Rob...

Civilisation is the system that feeds us, houses us, and keeps us safe. It seems to work well, but embedded in it is a deadly flaw. There is no known system in nature that can expand indefinitely. Many economists live with the fantasy notion of curves on graphs that climb forever, while overlooking the drops on the other side. Somehow we've come to believe the bizarre assumption that resources are...

Fuzzy Logic is home to four Homo sapiens this week: Elise, Amy, Siân and Broderick.  Together they discuss a wide variety of different species including Aphredoderus sayanus, Rheobatrachus silus and Homo neanderthalensis.  What are all these strange species?  Listen and find out!

Can rats share thoughts from brain to brain?  Can we train robot brains?  Expand your brain with a bit of science on Fuzzy Logic.  This episode is presented by Jess, Phoebe, Dan and Broderick

Diabetes is a serious lifelong illness that affects many Australians. Imagine having to cosntantly monitor your blood sugar and inject insulin every day for the rest of your life. That's on top of possible side effects such as kidney damage, damaged eye sight, heart problems, and the risk of losing limbs through infection. While there are reasaonbly good ways of managing diabetes, it's obviously b...

This week on Fuzzy Logic Dan, Martha, Siân and Broderick think about how it would feel to live on chemical smoothies rather than food- is it healthy?  We also talk about movement in the moshpit and EPO doping.

What does it take to make a computer see? Something we humans do. Dogs and cats, and even flies do it. But it's not a trivial job. Guest today is Dr Stephen Gould , AI researcher ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science.  And we're delighted to welcome back David Dufty , who wrote the amazing story of the Philip K Dick Android . Interview by Rod

With bush fires raging around the country, Fuzzy Logic takes a look at the science behind fires.  Join Alice & Broderick as they discuss the past, present and future of fire science.

How long can we continue living on borrowed money on a limited planet?  How long can prosperity rely on endless growth? If that's true, what can we do about it. Are we just at the mercy of larger forces. Theo Kitchener is an advocate of Doing It Ourselves . Your bank manager might not like what she says.

This week Alice, Blaire and Broderick talk about electronic music and the amazing science nerds that helped produce some of the coolest music.  They also discuss dung beetles, dog toys and more current science news.

Fuzzy Logic today was a 'scene of interest'.   Our guest today is head of forenscis at the University of Canberra, Professor Chris Lennard. How do we untangle the scene of a crime. Who was there, and when. What happened. Are crime scene shows realistic? We talk about fingerprints and superglue, and ear-prints, explosives, and the Bali bombing. Interview by Rod. Do you have a question for Prof Lenn...

Today on Fuzzy we bring you some of our favourite moments from our archive. Inspirational Australian scientist and National Living Treasure Dr Fiona Wood talks about her breakthrough treatments for burns victims. Dr Wood is famous for having treated victims of the Bali bombings. Dr Ian Williams from the ANU brings in - get this - a piece of the oldest rock ever found on the planet. It was truly me...

This week Broderick talks to Dr Carolina Tallon about new ceramics developed for high speed flight and he discusses the health benefits of black carrots with Dr Anneline Padayachee.  He also takes a look at this year's Nobel Prize winners

How long can the world economy keep growing? How close to the limits are we? According to our guest today, we are nearing the end of cheap resources that have powered wealth creation, and it's time for us to power down to adjust to the new reality. Richard Heinberg's latest book is The End of Growth.   We caught Richard during his recent visit to Canberra (which we also podcast). Interview by Rod,...

Can the world continue growing forever? Not according to Richard Heinberg, who says we have reached the limits of cheap oil and other commodities. Then there's debt which has become a proxy for genuine productivity. We are, in effect, printing money to maintain the pretence. Pile climate change on top of that, and we face a nasty brew that means we business as usual cannot continue. Richard Heinbe...

What sort of population can Australia - and the world - afford? Do we need more people - or should we limit population? We interview federal MP Kelvin Thompson, outspoken commentator on population growth. And in a change of pace, we ask Kelvin to tell his story, of how he got into politics, and what it's like being in Federal parliament today. How does it feel to be monstered by the media and poli...

This episode originally aired on April 1 and it became Fuzzy Fools Day. Your challenge is to work out what's real science and what is just a prank. Stuart, Rachel and Broderick fool around through a very entertaining episode. WARNING: Contains throat singing and bad Irish accents.

This week Fuzzy explores the lesser talked about and slightly confusing uncle in the science family: mathematics.  Dennis, Jamos and Broderick laugh their way through online auctions, error detection and some really amazing maths for detecting sarcasm. (I wonder if it picked that up?)

We've mapped the entire surface of the Moon and Mars, but we've only explored 1% of the Earth's oceans.  This week Fuzzy explores the depths of the ocean.  Broderick is joined by Jillian from the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre and Dr Chris Fulton from the Australian National University.  They're talking about marine parks, genetics in the ocean and biodiversity in the high seas.

This week Broderick & Alice talk to Gavin Young & Tim Senden, researchers from the Australian National University, about their exhibition "Old Bones, New Insights".  The exhibition includes fossils from Gogo, WA and Burrinjuck, NSW.  You can visit the exhibition at Canberra Museum & Gallery until February 26, 2012. Other topics covered this week include native species, cloning mammoths and belly b...

Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in pubs? People not speaking clearly? It may be that your ears don't work as well as the used to. There's a growing number of people across the planet who need help with hearing. It may be more than just a social inconvenience. Looking blankly at your boss is not good for your career. And did you know that if you let it go, you may permanently lose...

How do you sound to others? Your voice is one of your most important social assets. With it, you convey meaning, impressions, emotions, and the image you project. Our judgement of each other is heavily coloured by the sounds of our voice. Our guest on Fuzzy today is voice therapist, coach, researcher, Dr Cate Madill from the University of Sydney. Also joining us is fantasy writer KJ Taylor, with h...