Science & Health
Future is not what it used to be
AS A baby boomer, I must say I'm terribly disappointed with modern science and technology. I mean, where's my robot? Apparently Leonardo da Vinci invented the first robot in 1495.
Spare me harsh realities, slay that dragon and let the movies cast a spell
Clem Bastow When economic times are tough, fantasy and cinema come to the rescue, again.
Australia you are not a good friend
Martyn Awayang Namorong I'M on my first visit to Australia right now - and what an introduction to your country. A two-week run of four major cities where I'm meeting politicians, journalists and ordinary Australians.
The Indian obsession with fairer skin sinks to a new low
Amrit Dhillon A new vagina lightening cream is helping peddle self-hatred to women.
Music not to ears of everyone
BACKGROUND music in cafes, restaurants and clothing stores has been around ever since Major-General George O. Squier patented the idea back in the 1920s.
Policy on drugs endangers youth
Vivienne Moxham-Hall When you get to high school, you are taught that drugs are ''bad''. The teachers show you pictures and tell you the horror stories about drugs, but at that age, you can never really believe that...
New body needed to fill cracks of corruption
George Williams The debate over allegations of misbehaviour by our federal politicians has an important subtext. Does Australia have the right laws and institutions in place to deal with accusations of corruption,...
Indonesia's moral police a threat to democracy
Michael Bachelard When I wrote in March about the Indonesian religious affairs minister wanting to ban mini-skirts because he believed them ''pornographic,'' one comment on the Fairfax website stood out.
A moderate lament for the imminent passing of privacy
Tim Soutphommasane Our constant connection through Facebook and its like may have a downside.
Facts behind the active decline
In a society that is facing serious health issues, the importance and quality of physical education in our public primary schools are often neglected.
Industry's learning difficulty
When a federal Coalition MP says a group of public employees deserve to have their wages more than doubled to a top rate of $150,000, listeners are bound to wonder if their hearing is faulty.
Macquarie's mitts all over our supposed Strine
Germaine Greer Australian academics have been laying down the law about my mother-tongue — oops, I mean, of course, mother tongue.
Shop wars are a dirty business
Julie Szego The sign in the shop window near Acland Street caught my attention on a recent afternoon stroll: ''If you don't shop locally, there won't be any local shops.
Security rethink can protect refugee rights
Catherine Branson We must find solutions to the plight of refugees who have received adverse security assessments. The human costs being paid make not doing so untenable.
Fighting an outbreak of complacency
Tony Adams Australia is ill-prepared for a fast-moving public health emergency.
Abortion politics for export
Chloe Angyal Australians' love of things American must not extend to a growing assault in the US on women's reproductive rights.
Confusion aplenty, without a doubt
Richard Ackland It was quite recently that the violins struck up an old favourite: ''Innocent Until Proven Guilty.'' Defenders of public figures who fall foul of some awful accusation drown out the mischief with a...
Love thy neighbour, with fires
When did our neighbours become strangers? Why is it that knowing your neighbours has become an antiquated concept? While it's true that this is not a universal problem - indeed, we are lucky to have...
Silence doesn't work: it's time we talked about suicide
Kate Carnell This week, the national spotlight was again shone on the tragedy that is suicide with the death of Don Ritchie OAM, often referred to as “the angel” of the notorious Gap in Sydney.
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