The Minefield
Society & Culture
About
In a world marked by wicked social problems, The Minefield helps you negotiate the ethical dilemmas, contradictory claims and unacknowledged complicities of modern life.
Episodes
- Are ‘reaction videos’ dulling our ability to be genuinely responsive?
This episode of The Minefield examines the ubiquity of digital technology and its impact on human responsiveness. It focuses on reaction videos as a popular online content form and discusses how the commodification of emotions in such cont…
- NDIS reforms may be necessary, but they’re also morally fraught
Health Minister Mark Butler announced significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The episode discusses the NDIS's growth, projected costs, and the federal government's proposed reforms to control its expenditur…
- Smart glasses — a new frontier of foreseeable digital harm?
This episode of The Minefield discusses the potential digital harm and ethical problems associated with smart glasses and other wearable technologies. It covers concerns about data collection for advertising and AI training, privacy issues…
- The price of sovereignty: Are we prepared to pay more for less vulnerability?
This episode of The Minefield podcast discusses the historical belief that commercial relationships between nations foster peace. It explores how energy interdependence can create vulnerabilities, especially during international conflicts,…
- Social cohesion is straining — can citizens’ assemblies help?
This episode discusses the historical concept of social cohesion, tracing it from Roman philosophers to the Italian Renaissance. It examines how social cohesion is currently under strain and explores whether citizens' assemblies could help…
- Why do democracies seem so fragile in the face of shortages?
This episode of The Minefield discusses why democracies seem fragile when confronted with shortages, referencing historical events like the 1979 energy crisis and current events like global energy supply disruptions. It explores public rea…
- Why Autocracy Needs Spectacle — with M Gessen
This episode features M. Gessen discussing autocracy, examining how it concentrates power in a unitary figure and operates without constraints. It explores how autocrats claim to represent "the people" while defining "others" as threats, a…
- Can illegal wars still be legitimate wars?
This episode of The Minefield discusses the legitimacy of wars in the context of international law, examining the US-Israeli actions against Iran and their alignment with the UN Charter. The conversation delves into assertions of power ver…
- Ramadan: Politics Straight from the Heart — with Christos Tsiolkas
The Minefield discusses the complexities of political appeals to emotion versus common humanity. Christos Tsiolkas, an author and critic, is the guest for this episode.
- Ramadan: ‘Do Not Harden Your Heart’ — with Avril Alba
This episode of The Minefield, with Avril Alba, explores the concept of a cardiocentric moral life, focusing on the "hardening of the heart" in Islamic and Jewish traditions. It discusses the heart's capacity for moral responsiveness and t…
- Ramadan: Having a ‘Change of Heart’ — with Claire Zorn
This episode of The Minefield, with guest Claire Zorn, explores the distinction between changing one's mind and having a change of heart. It delves into the idea of "cardiocentrism" in moral life, emphasizing the heart's role as a moral co…
- Ramadan: The Heart and the Moral Life — with Stephen Darwall
This episode explores the concept of "the heart" in the context of Ramadan and moral philosophy, tracing its historical interpretations from ancient civilizations to medieval thinkers. The discussion examines how "the heart" represents the…
- What can headcoverings teach us about individuality, dignity and modesty?
This episode explores how headcoverings relate to individuality, dignity, and modesty. It discusses the impact of appearance and fashion on self-perception, social status, and the drive for conformity versus self-expression in modern Weste…
- Can political moderation survive in an age of grievance?
This episode of The Minefield discusses the survival of political moderation in an age of grievance. It examines how Australian politics has changed, focusing on the shifts from ambitious reforms to more cautious approaches, and the aggreg…
- From Venezuela to Greenland — how to respond to Trump’s territorial ambitions?
This episode discusses Donald Trump’s territorial ambitions during a hypothetical second presidential term, focusing on actions in Venezuela and the broader pursuit of influence in the Western Hemisphere. It examines how these ambitions re…
- What does hate speech do — and why is it so hard to legislate against?
This episode explores the challenges of legislating against hate speech and hate crimes following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in December 2025. It examines the risks of legislative overreach and emotional responses in the wake of nati…
- Anna Funder on the ethical and aesthetic problem of monstrous artists
Anna Funder discusses the moral and aesthetic challenges of engaging with art created by individuals whose personal behavior or beliefs are considered problematic. She explores how these external factors can fundamentally alter one's perce…
- "There's a horse loose in a hospital": Is John Mulaney a comedic genius?
This episode explores whether stand-up comedy can be considered art, specifically analyzing the enduring nature of a 2017 sketch by US comedian John Mulaney.
- The importance of letting someone 'save face'
This episode explores the concept of 'saving face,' discussing its role in maintaining social structures versus the potential consequences of prioritizing it over other moral considerations. It examines whether allowing someone to save fac…
- How do recommendation algorithms affect our sense of taste?
This episode examines how recommendation algorithms influence individual taste and cultural consumption. It explores the tension between personal preference and the tendency of digital curation to prioritize massification over aesthetic va…
- AI and the cost to human life — with Karen Hao
This episode of The Minefield explores the potential impacts of artificial intelligence beyond economic consequences, examining varying perspectives on its role as a technological innovation and an existential risk.
- What can we learn about politics from Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s ‘Good and Bad Government’?
This episode explores the virtues of good governance and the emotional bonds between citizens and leaders, using Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s 14th-century murals in Siena as a framework for reflection on contemporary politics.
- The ethics of life-writing: Memoirs may be popular, but can they be truthful?
This episode of The Minefield explores the ethics and truthfulness of life-writing, examining the tension between self-justification and honest self-reflection. The discussion considers various approaches to memoir and life-writing, includ…
- What will we lose if translation becomes wholly automated?
This episode examines the implications of fully automated, frictionless translation technology on human communication and culture. It questions whether the removal of linguistic difficulty diminishes the depth of cross-cultural understandi…
- ‘Adult time for violent crime’? What commitments should guide society’s response to youth crime?
This episode examines the debate surrounding youth justice reforms in Victoria and Queensland, focusing on the balance between punitive measures, community safety, and human rights. It explores the implications of policies prioritizing har…
- Will weight loss drugs entrench cultural expectations about body size?
This episode explores the cultural impact of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, examining how they interact with existing societal stigmas surrounding obesity and thinness. It questions whether these medications further entrench moral judgmen…
- Is the experience of beauty slipping away in an age of frictionlessness, speed and AI slop?
This episode explores whether the increasing prevalence of generative AI and effortless content creation is diminishing our capacity to experience beauty. It discusses the philosophical distinction between superficial pleasure and the effo…
- Protests are a democratic right that can go wrong — how much should they be restricted?
This episode examines the role of protests in Australian society, analyzing the balance between the democratic right to demonstrate and the public safety and logistical challenges caused by recent widespread rallies. It explores how govern…
- When democracy abandons decency — with George Packer
George Packer joins The Minefield to discuss the rise of authoritarian tendencies and the decline of moral decency in American politics during the second Trump administration. The episode examines how partisan politics has affected democra…
- Learning to inhabit silence — with Stan Grant
This episode of The Minefield explores the multifaceted nature of silence, contrasting it with the impacts of being silenced and the societal pressure of constant noise. Through the perspectives of Ray Bradbury and Søren Kierkegaard, the d…
- What role should emotion play in the fraught politics of immigration?
This episode explores the role of emotion in the current political landscape surrounding immigration in Western societies. It discusses how political actors leverage these feelings and examines the challenges of addressing anti-immigration…
- The ‘fascism’ paradox — with Jason Stanley
This episode explores the historical and contemporary use of the term "fascism," examining whether it is an accurate label for the Trump administration and discussing the potential risks associated with its application. Guest Jason Stanley…
- Mailbag — we answer your questions
Waleed and Scott answer listener questions covering topics including sovereign citizens, NATO and the invasion of Ukraine, virtue signalling, and the relationship between philosophy and gardening.
- Why Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a test for democracy — and of our decency
This episode explores the significance of Charlie Kirk within the conservative movement and the Trump administration, examining the implications of his assassination and the subsequent public response. It discusses his role as a founder of…
- Bonus episode: Jane Austen’s enduring charm
Kate Evans, Cassie McCullagh, Sophie Gee, and Scott Stephens discuss Jane Austen's literary legacy, moral philosophy, and critiques of social norms in a live discussion marking the 250th anniversary of her birth.
- What are we doing when we let someone ‘save face’?
This episode examines the moral and social implications of the concept of 'saving face' across personal, political, and historical contexts. It explores how prioritizing reputation can lead to unjust outcomes and discusses the tension betw…
- The threat that AI poses to human life — with Karen Hao
This episode of The Minefield explores the polarized discourse surrounding artificial intelligence, ranging from its potential to solve major human challenges to concerns that superintelligence could pose an existential threat. Guest Karen…
- Are there inherent limits on what should be said in public debate?
This episode examines the controversy at the Bendigo Writers Festival involving a code of conduct for participants and discusses the broader implications for public debate and democratic discourse. It considers whether there are inherent c…
- If AI causes widespread job losses, is a Universal Basic Income the solution?
This episode examines the potential impact of artificial intelligence on employment and considers whether a universal basic income could address technological unemployment. It discusses the relationship between AI, productivity, and the fu…
- Should childcare be offered by for-profit providers?
This episode examines the debate surrounding for-profit childcare in Australia, following reports of abuse and neglect. It explores the tension between the profit motive and child safety, as well as the government's role in subsidising a s…
- What does it mean to be committed to ‘net zero’?
This episode examines the implications of Australia's net zero emissions target, contrasting the International Court of Justice's climate stance with political arguments against the commitment. It explores the challenges of implementing su…
- What would be achieved by recognising a Palestinian state?
This episode examines the implications and potential impacts of recent announcements by France and the UK regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state. It explores whether such recognition could serve as an effective diplomatic tool to…
- What are recommendation algorithms doing to our sense of taste?
This episode explores how recommendation algorithms impact personal taste, arguing they limit cultural engagement to immediate preference rather than reflective aesthetic growth. It discusses the social dimensions of taste and the limitati…
- Why are regressive expressions of masculinity now so popular?
This episode explores the resurgence of traditional or regressive expressions of masculinity in contemporary society, referencing William James’s essay The Moral Equivalent of War and historical ideas about military discipline, national se…
- “There’s a horse loose in a hospital”: What John Mulaney gets right about (non-)political comedy
This episode examines if stand-up comedy can be considered art, using John Mulaney’s "Kid Gorgeous at Radio City" as a case study. It explores his writing style, his approach to non-political material, and his famous metaphor for the Trump…
- What is “content” doing to our sense of value?
This episode explores the concept of "content" in the digital age, examining how the drive for circulation and engagement impacts the value of information and media. The discussion addresses the ethical and aesthetic implications of conten…
- Can the cinematic genius of “Jaws” overcome its problematic legacy?
This episode explores the production, cultural impact, and narrative structure of the 1975 film "Jaws," examining how it transformed the cinema industry and examining its legacy.
- Israel/Iran: What are the ethical and legal limits of self-defence?
This episode explores the ethical and legal boundaries of self-defence, examining claims made by nations like Israel, Iran, the US, and Russia in the context of recent military actions and international conflicts. It questions the legitima…
- Where to now for conservative politics in Australia?
This episode explores the current state and future of conservative politics in Australia, focusing on the internal challenges facing the Liberal and National parties following recent electoral losses. It examines the party's ideological te…
- The moral problem of monstrous artists, with Anna Funder: Live from the Sydney Writers’ Festival
Recorded live at the Sydney Writers' Festival, this episode explores the moral and aesthetic dilemma of engaging with the work of artists whose personal behavior or beliefs are considered monstrous. The discussion features guest Anna Funde…