The 9pm Edict

Something different to kick off the mid-2026 series. Just two days ago, on the 8th of May, Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday. As it happens, way back in 1984, I interviewed him when he was just Mr Attenborough, and here is that interview.It was part of the program Science Journal series 1984 episode 35 from community station Radio 5UV, now Radio Adelaide, first broadcast on 29 August 2024.I spent half an hour with Attenborough in his hotel room. It was his ninth interview for the day, and the greying gentleman in his fifties was visibly tired — particularly tired, he said, of being asked questions like “What’s your favourite animal”. But as I set up my equipment we chatted and, once he realised that I knew his work and knew what I was doing, his eyes began to sparkle just like on TV.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00267/Please consider supporting the the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/relocateOr if you miss that or prefer to not use GoFundMe:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

From Australia’s teen social media ban to AI safety, there’s so many tech policy matters these days! So to wrap up the summer series — finally! — I decided to chat with Johanna Weaver and Zoe Jay Hawkins from the Tech Policy Design Institute in Canberra.In this episode we talk about how Australia as a middle power can participate in global tech policy. We chat about AI slop, the battle between Anthropic and the Pentagon, the digital duty of care, and of course the social media age restrictions.This episode was recorded on 11 March 2026, so some of the topical references may be slightly dated.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00266/Please consider supporting the the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/relocateOr if you miss that or prefer to not use GoFundMe:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As I post this, we’re supposedly just hours away from the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. So what better time to chat with space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk and astrophysicist Rami Mandow?In this episode we talk about that mission, but also flag some of the problems, including the various laws and treaties relating to the Moon. Also, cooking in space, drugged-up spiders, the recent total eclipse of the Moon, tightrope walking, and cockroaches.This episode was recorded on 11 March 2026, so some of the topical references are slightly dated.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00265/Please consider supporting the the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/relocateOr if you miss that or prefer to not use GoFundMe:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It may well be nearly the end of March, and indeed it is, but this is still the summer series. Our special guest today is Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous, and as always we had a wonderful conversation.In this episode we talk about smoking and vaping, looksmaxxing, Nigel Farage and Reform UK, Donald Trump, how we’d renovate Washington DC, sheep, snakes (again), and Manichaeism (again)This episode was recorded on 6 March 2026, so some of the topical references are slightly dated.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00264/Please consider supporting the the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/relocateOr if you miss that or prefer to not use GoFundMe:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As the summer series continues we're joined once more by David Gerard for a suitably cynical look at what's happening in and around the AI bubble. Bros, do not send hate mail, but we do not believe your claims.David produces the newsletter Pivot to AI, which is now also available as a video essay or podcast.In this episode we discuss the AI economy, what happens when chatbots are left to run a business or even given their own social network, why robots want your body, the addictive nature of chatbots — and of course we simply had to talk about Elon Musk, SpaceX, xAI, and data centres in space.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00263/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

With Thailand's general election just over a week away, I figured it's time once more to chat with journalist Erin Cook, who specialises in South-East Asia. But as always we talk about much more than just Thailand.Erin produces the excellent newsletter Dari Mulut ke Mulut, an English-language summary of what's happening in the region, and an occasional newsletter specifically on the Australia-Indonesia relationship, Flat White, Kopi Susu.In this episode we discuss what to look out for in Thai politics over the coming weeks. We also talk about the elections in Myanmar, the latest deadly landslide in Indonesia, a couple of events in the Philippines, the Cowra prisoner of war camp, making excuses, the Crying Horse, and Donald Trump's body odour.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00262/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Don’t let the title put you off, nor attract you too eagerly. The 9pm Summer Series 2025 continues with philosopher, reprobate, and all-round cleverthinker Patrick Stokes, and a conversation about many, many things. He’s also half of The Fake McCoys.In this episode we talk about the philosophy of AI and technological determinism, certain aspects of ICE, how sex drives innovation, teleportation, Erich von Däniken and his ancient astronauts, pigs, bats, wine moms, deathbots, the nature of memory and the extended mind thesis, and a “wonderful word” that was invented by J R R Tolkien.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00261/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Back at the start of the year, my good friend Snarky Platypus and I created a bingo card for 2025. A set of 25 things that might happen. Well, it’s now New Year’s Eve, so let’s see how we went. And let’s create a 2026 Bingo Card.You might want to follow along. We’ll skip over the ones we’d already discussed back in July.We talked about Taylor Swift, Chris Minns, weight loss drugs, rugby, AUKUS, Myanmar, Thailand, Glasgow, the Sydney Metro, and of course TikTok — and much more.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00260/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

I like food. My good friend Snarky Platypus also likes food. And we also like wine. But we also have opinions. So in this final episode of the spring series we bring you some of those opinions.In this episode we talk about the magical world of slop bowls, the foods of Italy and Indonesia, grilled chicken, rending, tempeh, duck, parrots, steak, and the price of wine.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00259/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It's just one week until Australia's controversial social media age restrictions come into force, so I decided to chat with Justin Warren, noted “consultant, freedom of information tragic, hexagon enthusiast, and creator of the CyberRating™ labelling scheme”.It’s the first time he’s been on the pod this year!In this episode we do indeed talk about the age restrictions which come into force on 10 December. But we also discuss robots, secretive intelligence organisations, the Bureau of Meteorology's website budget overrun, and how Microsoft Windows has become unreliable at the same time as more of the company's software is written by AI. Coincidence?Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00258/Please consider supporting the podcast by pledging to our seasonal crowdfunding campaign by 10 December 2025.https://the9pmedict.com/summer2025If you miss that deadline then please go toLhttps://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Earlier this month I saw several news stories about new antibiotics, some even developed with AI. Miracle medical breakthrough, or not? Why not ask infectious diseases physician and overall medtech nerd Dr Trent Yarwood.In this episode Trent and I talk about antimicrobial resistance, the new antibiotics including premethylenomycin C lactone, nafithromycin, and a couple developed using AI, a potential cure for HIV, the problem with relying on electronic health records, and the word “moist”.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00257/Please consider supporting the podcast by pledging to our seasonal crowdfunding campaign by 10 December 2025.https://the9pmedict.com/summer2025If you miss that deadline then please go toLhttps://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

I know nothing about cars. I don’t even know how to drive. So obviously my guest today is freelance motoring journalist and editor of The Redline, Peter Anderson — because a lot has been happening in the auto industry, right? I might learn something.In this episode we talk about cars. Obviously. Especially about the gradual but inevitable shift to electric vehicles. There’s the rise of China’s auto manufacturing industry, and other countries too, and of course that man and his electric car company and his $1 trillion compensation package.We also discuss contentment and what it means for us, as well as the joy of minimalism, and even bipolar II disorder.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00256/Please consider supporting the podcast by pledging to our seasonal crowdfunding campaign by 10 December 2025.https://the9pmedict.com/summer2025If you miss that deadline then please go to:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

No one under the age of 25 has ever known a time when there haven't been humans in space — although to be fair, not many humans. To mark the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station's inhabitation, and other space news, we chat once more with Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk and astrophysicist Rami Mandow.In this episode we talk about the ISS and other space stations, including China's Tiangong station. But we also discuss whether we should colonise space, poetry, cutbacks at NASA, and two recent examples of objects arriving from space. Allegedly.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00255/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

We’re halfway through spring and this, finally, is the first episode of the spring series. In the Philippines, there’s typhoons and floods and earthquakes and political protests. So to look at what’s happening in that country, we’re joined by journalist Erin Cook, who specialises in South-East Asia.Erin produces the excellent newsletter Dari Mulut ke Mulut, an English-language summary of what's happening in the region, and an occasional newsletter specifically on the Australia-Indonesia relationship, Flat White, Kopi Susu.In this episode we talk about events in the Philippines and provide some background on its politics, both domestic and international. We preview the upcoming ASEAN Summit. And we ask whether fridge magnets are the new souvenir spoons.There's an update on Thai politics, and even a side-trip to talk about Myanmar.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00254/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Weeks late, the mid-2025 series finally draws to a close. Our special guest today is Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous, and we cover a lot of different topics.In this episode we talk about K-pop and plate tectonics, the naming of cats, Oasis and AC/DC, the trickiness of venomous snakes and drug-addled spiders, Donald Trump's visit to the UK, defamation, the nature of community, Nepal's Gen Z protests — and we even get our Barlows confused.This episode was recorded back on Friday 19 September, which explains some of the date references.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00253/Please consider supporting the podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As you all know, I am a lizard, and through the power of 5G and the implants which have been secretly inserted into you via chemtrails and the covid vaccine, or possibly by a UFOnaut which was probing you, I can control your mind.Well, no. But conspiracy theories do exist, and a new book explores the Australian flavour of these beliefs. My guests are the authors of Conspiracy Nation, journalists Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson, and the book is available from Ultimo Press and all the usual places one buys books.In this episode we talk about why conspiracy beliefs are so appealing, the aftermath of the Wieambilla shootings, Agenda 21, Qanon, pseudolaw and sovereign citizens, the celebrity chef turned guru Pete Evans, and what to do if one of your friends starts heading down a rabbit-hole.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00252/Please consider supporting this season’s crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/spring2025If you miss the deadline of 25 September:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

There's been riots in Indonesia with at least nine people killed. And there’s political chaos in Thailand as the prime minister is sacked and 15 political parties scramble to form coalitions so they can choose a new PM. So who better to talk to than journalist Erin Cook, who specialises in South-East Asia?Erin produces the excellent newsletter Dari Mulut ke Mulut, an English-language summary of what's happening in the region, and an occasional newsletter specifically on the Australia-Indonesia relationship, Flat White, Kopi Susu.In this episode we talk about those riots in Indonesia, what they're about, why they kicked off so quickly, and why they probably won't be as severe as those in 1998. We also try to understand the political chaos in Thailand. And we take a brief look at something happening in China.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00251/Please consider supporting this season’s crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/spring2025If you miss the deadline of 25 September:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Back at the start of the year, my good friend Snarky Platypus and I created a bingo card for 2025. A set of 25 things that might happen. Well, we’re half-way through the year, so let’s see how we went.You might want to follow along with this chart to see which ones we discussed.https://stilgherrian.com/essay/bingo-card-2025/We also talk about a potential trade war between Indonesia and China, sleep hygiene and insomnia, habituation and impulse control, bird flu, fairy bread, Kyle Sandilands, and the music of Wilson Phillips.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00250/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Any moment now, Donald Trump might cancel AUKUS, the massive defence agreement which among other things would see Australia buying eight nuclear-powered submarines. AUKUS has become the big thing in Australia's defence procurement, but do we need it? Sam Roggeveen thinks not, and he's our guest today.Sam is director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program. In  former life he was an intelligence analyst for the Office of National Assessments, now the Office of National Assessments. And he's the author of “The Echidna Strategy: Australia’s Search for Power and Peace”.In this episode we discuss the two competing schools of thought on defence policy, the defence of Australia school versus the forward defence school. We talk about what the actual threats from China might be. We look at what the echidna strategy might look like in practice. And much more.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00249/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

With massive budget cuts to NASA, claims that we've found alien life, and an important anniversary coming up, it's time once more to talk about Space! My guests, therefore, are space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk, and astrophysicist Rami Mandow.In this episode we celebrate the anniversary of the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, we discuss how Donald Trump's budget cuts will affect space research, and we discuss fast radio bursts, the overview effect, and why Mars is a shithole.This episode was originally posted as "The 9pm Controversial Alien Discovery and Budget Cuts with Dr Alice Gorman and Rami Mandow" but that misses out the entire reason for posting it this weekend.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00248/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Let's kick off the Edict's mid-2025 series with a look at Australia's relationship with Indonesia, because Jakarta was the first international city prime minister Anthony Albanese visited after his re-election. Our special guest is journalist Erin Cook, who specialises in South-East Asia.Erin produces the excellent newsletter Dari Mulut ke Mulut, an English-language summary of what’s happening in the region, and an occasional newsletter specifically on the Australia-Indonesia relationship, Flat White, Kopi Susu.In this episode we talk about Albo's meeting with Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto back on 15 May. But we also discuss that weird drama over a supposed Russian airforce base in Papua, the long-running Cambodian–Thai border dispute, the decline of specialists journalism, crafting and what counts as copying someone's work, discipline, and horseback adventures.Oh yeah, and we talk about the presidential cat. Bobby Kertanegara is his name.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00247/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

With just days remaining until Australia's federal election, who better to talk with than Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous? Well, lots of people, but here we are.In this episode we do talk about the impending election, and quite a bit about sausages. But we also discuss important issues about transubstantiation, whether Princess Diana went straight to hell, why heaven is awash with bears, TV ratings, the taste of tuna, and for some reason the attraction of group face-licking.There's also quite a bit about genitals. And it's the final episode in the summer series.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00246/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The summer series is dragging on, and there's still so many things on our minds. So joining me for a bonus episode is my good friend Snarky Platypus.In this episode we talk about lego, trains full of boomers, the echidnapus, and the panic about a so-called Chinese Spy Ship. And of course there's a few rants about election discourse and political polling.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00245/Please consider supporting the current crowdfunder. You have until 9pm AEST this Tuesday 22 April.https://the9pmedict.com/mid2025If you miss the deadline, there’s always these links:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

There's a lot going on in The America. You may have noticed. So as the summer series grinds on — way behind schedule — we're joined by Associate Professor David Smith from the United States Study Centre.In this episode we talk, obviously, about the powers of POTUS and his Yalta 2.0 imperialist desires to annex Canada. And Greenland. And Mexico. We discuss how the new Trumpian America might affect Australia's favourite government program, AUKUS. And inevitably, we talk about Trump's weird relationship with Elon Musk.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00244/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As the summer series grinds on we’re joined once again — well, after a gap of more than a year — by author and columnist John Birmingham. In this episode we talk, inevitably, about the nexus between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. But we also chat about Brisbane and the good old days, cancer, the Apple Vision Pro, World Expo 88, digital locks, physical fitness, and the links between hypermasculinity, Gamergate, and fascism.It also sees the return of the chia seed protein pudding, and yet more mentions of Umberto Eco.Full podcast details and credits:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00243/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Snarky Platypus and Stilgherrian return to that park in North Sydney park to record another uninformative trailer for their new podcast. Please ignore the squealing child.They’ll be recording two pilot episodes in the coming weeks, just as soon as the paperwork is done for the music license.

The summer series continues, and it's more science. Today's special guest is infectious diseases physician Dr Trent Yarwood.In this episode we talk about infectious diseases, of course, from smallpox to long covid, and HIV to measles. But we also discuss the appendix, biological warfare, norovirus, poo, and the medical semiotics of bow ties. Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00242/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Snarky Platypus and Stilgherrian sit in a North Sydney park to record a brief and uninformative trailer for their new podcast. They’ll be recording two pilot episodes in the coming weeks, just as soon as the paperwork is done for the music license.

Happy New Year. It's time for another look at space news, I reckon, so once more my special guests are space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk from Flinders University, and astrophysicist and founder of SpaceAustralia.com Rami Mandow.In this episode we talk about Mars, including its role as both a source of aliens and as a potential new home for humans. That does mean we dissect Elon Musk's comments about colonising Mars.We also talk about the space debris that fell on Kenya earlier this month— or was it something else? And we discuss Blue Origin's New Glenn launch vehicle which failed to launch on Monday, the future of human civilisation, early science fiction, O'Neill cylinders, and the pronunciation of Uranus.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00241/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Back at the start of the year, my good friend Snarky Platypus and I created some bingo cards for 2024. Two sets of 25 things that might happen. Well, we’re now at the end of the year, so let’s see how we went.You might want to follow along with the original blog post.https://stilgherrian.com/essay/bingo-card-2024/You might also want to listen to our half-time update from July.https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00224/In this episode we talk about sex education, high-speed trains, Nauru, Hong Kong, South Korea, television, NIMBYism, brain scans, and much more.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00240/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Our first special guest in the summer series is Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous, and we’re going to talk about everything that happened in 2024. Every single thing.Well, no. However we do have to talk about Donald Trump. Sorry, but we do.We also talk about the latest challenge to honesty on OnlyFans, the latest in adult diapers, certain aspects of biology, the Spanish Armada, Australia's love of Olympic-level breakdancing, and much more.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00239/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The first summer series episode of the Edict features Stilgherrian telling a personal story, plus a few other bits and pieces.In this episode he talks about his recent injuries and related hospital visits, the history of those hospitals, content warnings, dildos in Texas, and some old anti-vaxxers.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00238/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It's the final episode of the spring series, finally. And with all the weird digital policy action in Australia in recent weeks, I figured we'd better chat once more with Justin Warren, "consultant, freedom of information tragic, hexagon enthusiast, and creator of the CyberRating™ labelling scheme".In this episode we talk about Australia's newly-legislated social media ban for under-16s, sure. But we also talk about something called "systems intentionality", product safety, the new AI tool from MyHeritage that turns old photos into videos, and wine decanters,Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00237/Please consider supporting this podcast with your cash-type money:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

We’re joined today by one of my favourite guests, space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk from Flinders University.In this episode we talk about the research she and her colleagues have been doing with the International Space Station. Apparently it's rather like a share house. We wonder how you might develop a feminist map of the Moon. And as usual we veer off on plenty of tangents.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00236/Please consider supporting this podcast through this season’s crowdfunder, The 9pm Summer Series 2024, by 5 December:https://the9pmedict.com/summer2024If you miss that deadline:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

No, we're not really on ketamine. But as the spring series continues we're going sideways with a bonus episode featuring my good friend Snarky Platypus and many, many topics.In this episode we talk about robot whales, the secrets of Dinosaur Club, Australia's proposed social media age restrictions (again), the truly horrible side effects of ketamine addiction, how Donald Trump and Elon Musk might change our world, the problem with our news media, and premix drinks.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00235/Please consider supporting this podcast through this season’s crowdfunder, The 9pm Summer Series 2024, by 5 December:https://the9pmedict.com/summer2024If you miss that deadline:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The spring series grinds on — and I do mean grinds — with friend of the pod, satirist Mark Humphries.In this episode we do talk about the thing that happened last week — the Trump thing — but we also talk about edible underwear, North Korean soldiers, British comedians Ben Elton, Rik Mayall, and Steve Coogan, whether straight people can do camp, and pixellated genitals.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00234/Please consider supporting this podcast through this season’s crowdfunder, The 9pm Summer Series 2024, by 5 December:https://the9pmedict.com/summer2024If you miss that deadline:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As the spring series continues we're joined by Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous to talk about the thing that happened in The America this week — but also much more.In this episode we talk about Australia's plans to ban under-16s from social media,  a selection of animals to turn into jerky, Macaulay Culkin, British religious history, and why violence sometimes isn't wrong.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00233/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As regular listeners to the Edict will know, I reckon Australians should know more about the other nations in our region. So our special guest today is journalist Erin Cook, who covers South-East Asia, and we're talking Indonesia and Thailand. Mostly.Erin produces the excellent newsletter “Dari Mulut ke Mulut”, an English-language summary of what's happening in the region.https://darimulut.beehiiv.comIn this episode we talk about Indonesia's soon-to-be president Prabowo Subianto and the nation's plans to move the capital from Jakarta to the new city of Nusantara. We attempt to give you an introduction to the complicated and often amusing politics of Thailand. And we take a side journey into the politics of Myanmar and two varieties of popular music.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00232/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The spring series of the Edict kicks off properly with our first special guest and it's David Gerard, co-editor of the newsletter Pivot to AI. So guess what we talk about.Yes, in this episode we talk about artificial intelligence. Specifically, we test out Google's NotebookLM podcast creator, we discuss why the much-promoted AI utopia won't happen, we put the idea of a robot uprising into its cultural context, and much more.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00231/Please consider supporting this podcast:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It's more or less the start of the spring series as Stilgherrian vents about three more things that got on his wick this week. He also plugs his current crowdfunding campaign, because of course he does.In this episode he talks about the shoddy journalism of the US presidential campaign, the problems of artificial intelligence, and his disturbing dreams.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00230/Please consider supporting this podcast via the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/spring2024If you miss the deadline of 19 September:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

With so much news about social media in Australia right now, I thought I'd wrap up the winter series by speaking with Professor Axel Bruns from the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology.In this episode we discuss whether anything can replace what was Twitter, Australia's News Media Bargaining Code and Meta refusing to pay for news content, age restrictions for social media, the arrest of Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov, and why filter bubbles really aren't a thing.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00229/Please consider supporting this podcast via the current crowdfunder:https://the9pmedict.com/spring2024If you miss the deadline of 19 September:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It's time for another podcast about space, so we're joined once again by astrophysicist Rami Mandow, founder of SpaceAustralia.com.In this episode we talk about what may be a new kind of pulsar, the cancellation of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, three ways in which the solar system is being a jerk, Japanese folklore (no really), those astronauts who are definitely not "stuck" or "stranded" on the International Space Station because NASA says they're not, and the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00228/Please consider supporting this podcast with a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Victorian-era Melbourne had a thriving sex industry, and the flashiest of the flash madams was Caroline Hodgson, aka Madame Brussels. My guest today is Barbara Minchinton, author of the new book, Madame Brussels: The Life and Times of Melbourne's Most Notorious Woman.In this episode we talk about Madame Brussels' life in the context of Victorian-era Melbourne. We cover sectarian disapproval her so-called "mixed marriage", some of the myths surrounding her, and the do-gooders who tried to shut her down.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00227/Please consider supporting this podcast with a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Have you ever been a victim of cybercrime? I know I have. I bet you have too. So let’s talk about that now with Dr Miranda Bruce from UNSW Canberra, because she's been working on the World Cybercrime Index.In this episode we talk about the types of cybercrime and its different characteristics around the world, cybercrime factories and human trafficking, and how law enforcement agencies' views about their role all this  role seem to different those of us ordinary citizens.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00226/Please consider supporting this podcast with a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Finally the real special guests start hitting the Edict's winter series. It's Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous. We do touch upon the recent UK election results, but there's much, much more.In this episode we talk about Armando Iannucci, lacerated ears, magic shoes, serial killers, haggis smuggling from Kenya, the weight of a teaspoon of sugar. and other things.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00225/Please consider supporting this podcast with a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Back at the start of the year, my good friend Snarky Platypus and I created some bingo cards for 2024. Two sets of 25 things that might happen. Well, we’re half-way through the year, so let’s see how we went.You might want to follow along with the original blog post.https://stilgherrian.com/essay/bingo-card-2024/In this episode we talk about Thai politics, the ongoing myth of a Melbourne airport railway, Rupert Murdoch and the nature of marriage, music created by AI, Nirvana, The Veronicas, the ongoing battle against HIV, mental illness, the South Pacific nations, Peter Dutton, and much more.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00224/Please consider supporting this podcast with a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

It's more or less the start of the winter series as Stilgherrian vents about three things that got on his wick this week.In this episode he talks about some stupid political reporting from Canberra about Labor's equally stupid response to Senator Fatima Payman, a stupid law that will change nothing, and a stupid event that kicked off in Kuala Lumpur.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00223/This season’s crowdfunding campaign has mere hours to run. Please click through and pledge your support. You have until 9pm AEST tomorrow, Thursday 4 July.https://the9pmedict.com/winter2024If you miss this deadline, please consider throwing in a tip at:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The autumn series of the Edict concludes with a returning special guest, Scottish author and social researcher David F Porteous, to chat about the UK election campaigns and much, much more.We discuss cocaine and koalas, Scott Morrison's post-parliamentary career, Elon Musk's $56 billion package, the King's Birthday, and an encounter between an echidna and a tiger shark.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00222/Please support this podcast by considering a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

The last couple of weeks have been full of online safety news, from eSafety Commissioner v X Corp in the Federal Court to AI to deepfakes. So my guest this time is. Zoe Jay Hawkins, head of policy design at ANU’s Tech Policy Design Centre.In this episode we talk about the way AI and deepfakes might influence this year's many elections, the polarisation of the online safety debate, free speech, content classification, and much more.This conversation was recorded on 6 June 2024.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00221/Please support this podcast by considering a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

As the autumn series of the Edict overflows into Official Winter, we go arty with Esther Anatolitis, editor of Australian literary journal Meanjin and a colossus striding the Melbourne arts scene and beyond.In this episode we discuss the controversy over Vincent Namatjira's portrait of billionaire Gina Reinhart, and why Melbourne is so arty and, allegedly, so liveable. We touch upon Cole's Book Arcade, Melbourne being a UNESCO City of Literature, being Greek — her not me — and much more.This conversation was recorded on 20 May 2024, so listen all the way to the end for some updates.Disclosure: Meanjin is a client, though I am not being paid for this and it was all my idea.Full podcast details and credits at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/00220/Please support this podcast by considering a tip:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/