Fuzzy Logic Science Show

Did you know Fuzzy Logic is one of Australia's longest running science radio shows? Its heritage is a bit misty, but we do know that 2XX was broadcasting The Science Program in May 1981. In this interview, one of the earliest station technicians, Kimmo Vennon describes those early days. Recorded by Rod from the tower in Canberra where 2XX first broadcast in 1976. The building nearby housing communications equipment was destroyed by probable arson in 1988. That tower dates back to 1928, making it a historical artefact, especially significant because it's a rare example of a free-standing radio tower. As Kimmo tells us, there's a surprising amount going on under the ground at this site.

Is your memory like something that can recorded and retrieved on magnetic tape? No. We can discard that as an extremely poor analogy. Our guest on Fuzzy Logic today is an expert on how memories are laid down and recalled. It's a subtle, complex thing with many facets that we don't entirely understand. For one thing, there are different types of memory, and it's far from an immutable record. It has links to autism and PTSD, among other things. We discuss the recent pronouncements from the USA about Tylenol 'causing' autism. Official Fuzzy Logic policy states that we support critical thinking, which means we strongly reject assertions made without evidence, especially where they relate to public health. Dr Shaam Al Abed is a Postdoctoral Fellow from the Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, at the ANU. Interview by Tara and Rod

Snakes are among the creatures most despised in all creation. Unfairly, we suggest. When treated with respect, a snake should inspire wonder more than fear. With some justification, people are afraid of their venom which can be lethal. But if you look at it from the snake's point of view, it's not in their interest to bite a human. They just want to go and do their own thing, unmolested. Emma Carlson is a registered snake catcher. In a surprise visit, she brought Cooper the rough-tailed python into the studio and after our interview, we were able to handle him. Cooper then slithered across the audio console without interfering with any vital buttons. Cooper, we can assure you, has the most appealing face like a big cheerful puppy. Interview by Rod, who did not require medical attention as a result.

We speak to two event holders from National Science Week in 2025

Hear from three event holders from 2025 National Science week in Canberra

Of all the effects of ageing, perhaps the most dreaded, is dementia. It's confronting for the person, their family, and everyone around them. The common perception is that there isn't much that can be done if you get it. That, however, is probably not true. Tara Jewell is studying this question for her PhD at the University of Canberra. Her work centres around the brain and healthy ageing. In particular, she's looking at personalised nutrition. Tuning nutrition for the individual is a new and promising field that has many sides, including genetics and AI.  Tara is studying at the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation at the University of Canberra. Interview by Lucy and Rod. 

What was the world like ten, twenty or a hundred thousand years ago? What was the environment, the plants, the animals and the insects? And, importantly, how did these mesh into an ecosystem? To answer these questions about deep time, we need, not just sophisticated techniques, but the skill and passion of people like our guests today. Dr Alex Wall and PhD Student Jalen Nalbant are paleoecologists. In this interview by Sophia and Rod, we look at what that means and why it matters today.   You can help our paleoecology friends by putting a pollen trap in your garden. The samples you collect will be used to refine the models showing how pollen is distributed over an area. Simple & fun for both urban and rural. https://www.jcu.edu.au/college-of-science-and-engineering/vegemap

Let's start with a big question: what are the pillars of civilisation? There are a few possible answers, but our guests today might argue that the list should include soil. Humble, dirty dirt, crawling with larvae, fungus and bacteria is an under-appreciated champion because, without it, we would not be here. To celebrate the magic of soils, Sophia Dacy-Cole has just submitted her PhD which includes an exhibition that celebrates soil (Instagram and website). Joining us is Dr Alex Wall, a paleoecologist from the ANU. We want to know more about paleoecology; stay tuned. Interview by Lucy and Rod.

Image source: https://physics.anu.edu.au/news_events/?EventID=457 One of the joys of science is delving into the deepest mysteries of the universe. What holds it all together? Part of the answer, of course, is gravity. That's the force that allows us to sit or stand without floating off into space. But it's much more than that, because without gravity, there would be no Earth and no Sun. In this episode we enjoyed a conversation with Distinguished Prof Susan Scott from the ANU. Professor Scott is one of the key people involved with the first confirmed detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO detectors. She is a passionate advocate for science and mathematics and promoting the cause of women in science. Interview by Rod.

What does 'sustainability' really mean and how do we get there? This radio documentary features some of Australia's most eminent thinkers. A  wide ranging analysis digs into the fundamental causes of our predicament, based on interviews I recorded for the book with Stephen Williams Sustainability and the New Economics and The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation co-authored with Mark Diesendorf.   This is a re-podcast from the Post Growth Australia Podcast https://pgap.fireside.fm/7rethinksustain   • Prof David Lindenmayer • Prof Will Steffen • Prof Clive Hamilton • Dr Kerryn Higgs • Prof Philip Lawn • Dr Mark Diesendorf • Prof Steve Keen • Ian Dunlop • Prof Steven Hail • High Court Justice Michael Kirby • Prof Ian Lowe

This Earth Science Week on Fuzzy Logic we chat with experts from Geoscience Australia about harnessing the power of space technology to tackle our biggest challenges.  For fifty years, the partnership between Geoscience Australia and the United States Geological Survey has revolutionized our understanding of the Earth from space.   Through the Landsat program, we’ve gained invaluable insights into our environment, from monitoring deforestation and urban growth to managing water resources and agricultural lands.   Tune in to hear David Hudson, Medhavy Thankappan and Eloise Birchall from Geoscience Australia chat to Broderick about Landsat and Landsat Next.

A triumph of our civilisation are the things that go on under the covers without us even noticing. When you pour stuff down the sink or flush it down the toilet, where does it go? Luckily, we don't need to think about it...until somebody does the wrong thing. That's when we should hail the invisible, unsung heroes of this story. That's right, these are the people that go down into the bowels - literally - of a city's plumbing to do what must be done. We can do our bit, it's not difficult... think before you flush. Here, Rod interviews Davina McCormick, General Manger Customer Engagement at ICON water. If you're in Floriade this weekend (21-22 Sep), be sure to see their display. Gritty, but highly recommended.  

A guest podcast from Valerie Albrecht. This podcast offers reflective space to consider the relationship between sustainability and  spirituality. Is there one? Could practising sustainability nurture spirituality? Could practising  some form of spirituality help us to live more sustainably? Could spirituality help us to give  right place to all that is losing sustainability?  Contributors from a cross section of professions and viewpoints share their knowledge,  perspectives and wisdoms: a Heritage Officer Anthropologist Activist; a gardener; a writer  and artist; a priest; a physics teacher, and some Australian Aboriginal healers I have had the  privilege of learning with.  Share your sustainability and spirituality reflections at www.theoceansofenergy.com  Thank you contributors.  Music: Tony O’Connor Uluru. 

The race to net-zero is accelerating.    Governments around the world are increasingly committing to achieve net-zero emission targets. But what does that mean and can clean energy help achieve this?  Join Broderick as he discusses the move to net zero in Australia with Dr Andrew Feitz, Director Low Carbon Geoscience and Advice and Dr Marcus Haynes, Computational Geoscientist. Thanks to Geoscience Australia for this week's guests.

Happy National Science Week! This episode Broderick talks to two event holders for National Science Week. Heather Massie shares her story in bringing the life of Hedy Lamar to the stage through her one-woman play HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr. Then, Liz Lea and the Chameleon Collective share their experience telling a story of a reef through dance in the show Reef Up! For more details on HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr and to book tickets head to www.HeatherMassie.com/Hedy  For more details on Reef UP! and to book tickets head to https://www.thestellarcompany.com/ More National Science Week events can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au   

How far off 'sustainability' are we today? How did we get here, and where do we go next? These are questions tackled by Rod Taylor at a U3A event in June. This wide ranging talk is based on the book co-authored with Mark Diesendorf, The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation. Other links:  Sustainable Population Australia https://population.org.au Steady State ACT https://steadystateact.org Touching the Void https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHYwxoYsK0A&ab_channel=WackyWanderlust  

If you know the term cognitive dissonance, it applies to ability of a person to hold entirely incompatible ideas in their head at the same time. If people can have it, so can a government. Take these two statements: 1) We will work towards a sustainable future 2) We will pursue economic growth The evidence is overwhelming:  we cannot do both of these things because economic growth is the antithesis of sustainability. Pasting a veneer over this chasm are terms such as green growth and weightless economy. Jonathan Miller is the Director of Steady State ACT.  

How do you cope with the dire trajectory of climate change? It's a tough question that we all now face. In this episode, ACT Greens MLA tells the story of her climate journey.

If there were a single invention of humanity that you remove, what would that be? In this episode we revisit a personal story broadcast on Radio National in 2006. This is part of our series, Rethinking Sustainability.

So it's okay to clear the Amazon jungle? Almost certainly you disagree with that statement, but how do you respond when someone says that to you? In this episode we think about 'that' conversation. How do you convince somebody that they're wrong? But first, is it even worth even trying? You'll find a summary of Fran Peavey's Strategic Questioning at commonslibrary.org/strategic-questioning and the full PDF commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/strat_questioning_manual.pdf. From our series Rethinking Sustainbility.