Antony Funnell
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Antony Funnell is a Walkley award winning author and broadcaster. He co-hosts the ABC podcast Rear Vision - www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/rearvision
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Articles by Antony Funnell
Program: How an obsession with time has come to enslave us
The English language is dotted with expressions that betray a distrust of time – we talk of “racing against time” or we express a frustration that “time is not on our side”. In this episode of Rear Vision, we look at the history of time as a concept. Why time from the Industrial Revolution onwards became wedded to ideas of progress and productivity. And how at both a personal and societal level time became a means of constraint as much as organisation.
Program: The American Israel lobby – powerful political force or antisemitic fiction
Depending on who you talk to the American Israel Lobby is either one of the most powerful forces in US politics or an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory. In this Rear Vision we explore the history and ask if the Israel Lobby exist? And if it does what impact it may have had on US politics and US foreign policy in the Middle East. Guests Jeffrey Herf, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Modern European History at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Program: Ebola – a fifty-year history of outbreaks, fear and misunderstanding
Once again communities in Central Africa are plagued by Ebola and the current outbreak shows no sign of being brought under control any time soon. What have medical researchers and practitioners learnt about the nature of the virus over its fifty-year history and just as importantly, how it’s spread? Given its deadly nature, why isn’t there more concern about the possibility of global transmission?
Program: Alberta Separatists and the grey hand of foreign interference
Separatist sentiments are stirring in the Canadian province of Alberta. Voters will soon cast their ballots in a referendum on whether to begin moves to formally separate from the rest of the nation We look at the history of separatism in Canada and at the pernicious impact of foreign interference. Guests: Marcus Kolga - Director of DisinfoWatch. Senior fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute Robert Currie – King’s Counsel.
Program: Bruce Shapiro on US politics; Thucydides Trap; Not Portlandia
US politics report from Bruce Shapiro. As tension mounts between North Korea and the USA - could it be the trigger to a bigger conflict with China? Despite its liberal image, Portland, Oregon has a long history of attracting white supremacist movements.
Program: Canberra Capers with Laura Tingle; Black justice, white justice; Jerusalem riots
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The UN takes on Peter Dutton's office, how does the law establish consent and more. Has the UK election result threatened Rupert Murdoch's takeover of Bskyb? Why google knows more about you than your spouse.
Program: Theresa May's First anniversary; Measles makes a comeback worldwide; China's religious revival
Ian Dunt’s report card on Theresa May’s first year as PM – how long can she last, and what new horrors can be revealed about the process towards Brexit. After a long period of radical secularism China is witnessing a religious revival. But how does faith co-exist with an all powerful state? Tens of thousands of Chinese worship at temples, mosques, churches - some sanctioned by the Communist Party, others 'underground'.
Program: Clouds over Queensland
Queensland has been having the fastest growth in population in the developed world, and is second only to Phoenix in the money that growth is bringing in. And yet, the schools, hospitals, roads and services haven't kept up. Premier Beattie is reassuring, smooth and soothing as he faces Queenslanders living with too much growth, too fast.
Program: Laura Tingle's Canberra; Putin and Trump - same but different; reducing incarceration by technology
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Program: Yanis Varoufakis on Greece's return to the financial markets; in Malaysia, former sworn enemies unite; is art a fitting response to violence?
Program: Yanis Varoufakis on Greece's return to the financial markets; in Malaysia, former sworn enemies unite; is art a fitting response to violence? Thu 27 Jul 2017 at 10:05pmThu 27 Jul 2017 at 10:05pmThu 27 Jul 2017 at 10:05pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Program: Bruce Shapiro, Traitors and Utopia
Bruce Shapiro joins us to report on the latest from Trumpland, Frank Walker on his latest book looking at the punishment of war criminals and Rob Sitch on the latest series of Utopia.
Program: Why Australian history has always had a revisionist edge
Our understanding of the past has always been contentious and ripe for argumentation. How we think and write about historic events changes as new sources of information are found, and fresh details emerge about people and events. In this episode, as part of ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Australian Books, we hear from three leading Australian historians about the history of Australian history.
Program: Reality check - why a belief in human rights has never really been universal
Dictators and autocrats deride human rights as a “western concept” – think Vladamir Putin and Xi Jinping, among others. They reject the narrative that a global concern for individual freedoms has steadily grown since the end of WWII. What if they’re correct? At least partially so. What if international support for the ideal of universal human rights was never really as strong as it seemed?
Program: Whatever happened to Libya?
Fifteen years ago, events in Libya dominated world headlines. In 2011, during the “Arab Spring”, Western leaders pledged their determination to free the Libyan people from decades of oppression under Muammar Gaddafi. NATO jets were deployed. Today, a decade and a half later, Libya is effectively two nations not one, a tyrant still rules, and the plight of the Libyan people has largely been forgotten. We ask, how and why?
Program: Understanding slavery as an enduring form of economic and social control
The United States has just imposed new tariffs on Australia and other countries for supposedly not doing enough to combat forced labour in international supply chains. Analysts say the move is political, but regardless it does once again highlight the ongoing issue of slavery. Slavery has been a constant of human history from ancient to modern times. The human rights group Walk Free estimates that almost 50 million people world-wide live in a modern form of enslavement.
Program: Are France’s indo-pacific ambitions coming unstuck?
The government of Emmanuel Macron is struggling to deal with ongoing tension and resentment in France’s external territory, New Caledonia. The latest diplomatic and legislative efforts to determine the archipelago’s future have failed, and recent local elections have only cemented the stalemate between pro-independence supporters and those New Caledonians who want to remain a part of France.
From George Washington to Donald Trump, America's creation story reads like a Hollywood script
As the United States marks 250 years since independence, the bitter civil war at the heart of the American Revolution continues to echo in the age of Donald Trump. America's creation story reads like a Hollywood script. Patriotic colonists rise up against the tyranny of George III.
Program: The true story of the American Revolution
Americans are preparing for an orgy of red, white and blue as the 250th anniversary of their Declaration of Independence draws near. But what’s not likely to be widely mentioned is the fact that the conflict wasn’t just a revolution against British rule, it was actually America’s first civil war – a bloody and divisive internal conflict. And those rebels who rejected the Crown and called themselves "patriots" were by no means in the majority when war broke out.
Program: Beyond NATO – is it finally time for a pan-European Army?
Despite constant criticism from the Americans, European NATO members are actively rebuilding and strengthening their militaries. Some are even beginning to think beyond the Alliance and the United States, to an independent united European fighting force. NATO members will meet in early July for their 36th summit. Guests: Dr Hugo Bromley – Historian of manufacturing, geopolitics, and international trade, Centre for geopolitics, University of Cambridge Dr Simon J.
Program: America – land of the free, home of the gerrymander!
Gerrymandering is endemic in the United States and could determine the outcome of this year's mid-term elections. It has been a feature of the American political system since the beginning of the republic, according to Princeton University's Samuel Wang. So, how did the self-styled “world’s greatest democracy” end up with a system that former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, says is being rigged by both major parties?
Program: Who has the power and right to declare war in a democracy?
It may surprise you to know that the Australian parliament has no real say over whether the country goes to war. In the United States its effectively the same, with many analysts arguing the US Congress has now basically ceded its war powers to the president. A process, by the way, that began long before the arrival of Donald Trump. In this episode we look at how this happened and why calls for war powers reform have had so little success.
Program: Who has the power and right to declare war in a democracy?
It may surprise you to know that the Australian parliament has no real say over whether the country goes to war. In the United States its effectively the same, with many analysts arguing the US Congress has now basically ceded its war powers to the president. A process, by the way, that began long before the arrival of Donald Trump. In this episode we look at how this happened and why calls for war powers reform have had so little success.
Program: Is Scottish independence once again in play?
In 1707 the Scottish national parliament was disbanded, not to be reconvened until 1999. How and why Scotland regained its own Assembly is the story of rising Scottish nationalism and Westminster’s attempts to dampen such feelings and ironically keep Scotland in the Union. On May 7th, Scots go to the polls, and the outcome could impact significantly on both the nationalist cause in Scotland and on the ongoing viability of Keir Starmer’s Labour government at Westminster.
Program: The history and future of women in combat
Australia’s incoming Chief of Army, Lt. General Susan Coyle, will be the first woman ever to hold the Army’s top post. Her appointment in the lead-up to Anzac Day reflects a change that’s been decades in the making. The true history of warfare is the story of men and women together on the battlefield. But in the early 20th century that reality changed, and at the same time, female fighters began to be written out of the history books.
Program: Flags, “flag-shaggers” and the co-opting of historic symbols
Wrapping yourself in the national flag has become a common practice for far-right activists right across the Western world, particularly anti-immigration demonstrators. In the UK the co-opting of the Union Jack and the flag of St George has become so common it’s now described in derogatory terms as “flag-shagging”. In this episode, we explore the historic power of national flags as symbols of division, not just national unity.
Program: Beijing’s justification for wanting to invade Taiwan
Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping are due to meet in Beijing in a matter of weeks, with China’s wish to subsume democratic Taiwan certain to be one of the topics on the summit agenda. President Xi has reportedly instructed his military to be at capacity for an invasion by 2027, so 2026 could be Taiwan’s last year of freedom. Some analysts fear US military action in Iran and Venezuela may embolden Beijing.
Singapore and the long shadow of Lee Kuan Yew
The government of Singapore has just sacked the leader of the Opposition — that's the way things happen in Singaporean politics. Though it looks like a model Westminster democracy, critics say it's actually a one-party state, dominated for more than 60 years by the People's Action Party. So, how is it that such a prosperous and modern nation has never managed to free itself from the long shadow of its authoritarian founder, Lee Kuan Yew.
Central bank independence − a tradition under threat - ABC listen
Since the 1970s central banks around the world have increasingly become “independent” of government. They’ve developed that way over time to ensure that monetary policy isn’t impacted by partisan political motives. But there are those who now seek to turn the clock back and to rein in that independence. The current US president is at the front of the pack.
From bicycles to “build your dreams” — how China conquered the global car market - ABC listen
Only a few decades ago China was known as the land of the bicycle – today it’s an automotive goliath. The PRC is now the world’s biggest car manufacturer and exporter. It also has the largest domestic car market. We explore how it achieved such a dramatic turnaround in only a few short decades. And what role European and American car makers inadvertently played in creating a super rival.
Weaponised trade and a return to gunboat diplomacy
From sanctions to tariffs to seizing oil fields — it feels like we've entered a new age of economic warfare. But experts say we're really just returning to the past. To the time before the rules-based international order was established at the end of the Second World War. Gunboat diplomacy it seems is once again de rigueur.
The danger of generational labelling
Terms like "Gen Z", "Boomer" and "Millennial" are popular, but they have no basis in science. Demographers and social scientists are now pushing back. Generational labelling, they argue, is akin to Astrology and while politicians, journalists and media influencers find them irresistible, they actually promote pseudo-science, sew social division and can reinforce prejudicial stereotypes. So why are generational labels so popular? Original broadcast on February 9, 2025.
Civility, trash talking and more sociable cities
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It certainly feels like a very shouty world. But have we really reached a new low point in civility? And, if so, where to from here? We examine what civility really entails and how it can help foster cooperation but also lead to the submission of minorities. And did you know that even the design of our urban spaces can shape and limit acts of civility? So, how can we make our cities more sociable? Original broadcast on March 23, 2025.
By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
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Frozen frogs, tissues and cells — the health and environmental benefits of keeping it chill - ABC listen
Rana Sylvatica is an unassuming wood frog with an extraordinary gift. In the depths of winter, it can slow down its metabolism, flood its cells with ice and remain in a state of suspended animation for months. But it's what it might be able to teach us about preserving human organs for transplant that has scientists really excited. Also, the menagerie in an icy test tube — San Diego's Frozen Zoo and the fight to preserve biodiversity.
A Future Tense retrospective - ABC listen
This is the program’s final episode and, as such, we look back over the past 17 years. What did the future look like back in 2009 when the show first aired? What have been the major trends during that time? Which predictions came to fruition and which didn’t? And what cautions do our guests have as we look ahead?
Is AI really taking over the internet?
How many of the articles you see on the internet are actually written by AI, not by humans? We'll give you a figure based on the latest research. Also, why is Google moving away from its well-established search-engine algorithm in favour of AI-generated summaries; The importance of remembering that urban planning isn't just about buildings, it's about people and spaces; And how digital technology is opening up a new relationship between humans and animals.
A tale of two futuristic cities
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Designing a futuristic city is a fraught task — a mixture of ambition, state of the art technology, inevitable budget blowouts and the need to not just inspire, but awe. We get an update on the progress of two mega metropolises — Xiongan in China and Neom in Saudi Arabia. Also, how a better understanding of the brain can help deter future conflicts.
By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
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Ancient viruses, new threats - ABC listen
The global Covid 19 lockdown may seem like an eternity ago, but the threat of another full-scale pandemic has never resided. Scientists warn that as the Arctic permafrost continues to melt ancient viruses and bacteria are gradually being freed from the ice. The risks are significant, but researchers are working to identify potential threats and better prepare the world for future pandemics.
Microplastic removal and decarbonising cement
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Negotiations over a global treaty on microplastics have broken down. So, where to from here for one of the world's biggest environmental threats? We also get an update on new efforts to clean-up the cement production industry; and we look at AI chatbots and the increasing role they're playing as sources of advice and emotional support.
By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
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Disinformation, digital tech and democracy
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By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
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Getting up to speed with autonomous vehicles
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By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
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Are we turning the housing crisis into a living crisis?
We build more and more homes for growing urban populations. But doing so without providing much needed amenities doesn't serve our suburbs and the people who live in them. It risks confounding social isolation and urban sprawl. There's also climate change to consider. In a heating world, how do we plan our suburbs to deal with higher temperatures? Are the cities and suburbs of the future going to be livable for our children and our children's children?
Reviving the past and digital mapping for the future
The remote Canadian island of Oikiqtaruk is disappearing fast, but its cultural and environmental heritage is being captured in digital form. We talk to those involved in the project about its ambition and their success to date. Also, recreating long lost cultural artefacts. For the Madrid-based organisation Factum Foundation it's a journey of reconnection — a way that future generations can celebrate and cherish the character of their past.
Is globalisation dying? - ABC listen
Globalisation isn’t what it used to be thanks to the legacy of the Covid-19 lockdown and, more recently, Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs. But while it’s often given a bad rap, globalisation is about more than just trade, it’s also about the international exchange of ideas and talent. So, is it dying, withering or simply transforming?
Taxing carbon on the border and at sea
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The European Union is implementing a groundbreaking new tax: a carbon border tax. It's meant to prevent distortions between countries with differing emissions standards and so to reduce emissions. But will it work? The same can be asked about the International Maritime Organisation's proposed new carbon levy on shipping. Also on the show, an update on the Great Green Wall — China's mass-tree-planting project; and measuring stress in trees to improve resilience.
By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Verified
Existential hope vs Existential Fear
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Existential risks to human life abound, from the threat of nuclear Armageddon; to an uninhabitable planet; or an AI-induced apocalypse. Understanding such risks and how we can best respond to them is the preoccupation of S. J. Beard. But the Cambridge University researcher also speaks of "existential hope", a way of addressing our fears without the doom and despair.
By Karin Zsivanovits, Antony Funnell Verified
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Verified
Cooperation, not conflict on the High Seas
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We're now halfway through the UN-designated "Ocean Decade" — new research initiatives have been launched, and global cooperation has been strengthened as scientists work to learn more about our oceans and to harness their potential in the fight against adverse climate change. But there are still questions to be answered: How firm are the commitments made under the Ocean Decade arrangement? Why are many countries still lagging behind in ratifying the "High Seas" treaty?
By Antony Funnell Verified, Karin Zsivanovits
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Verified
Perspectives on the potential of AI-powered policing - ABC listen
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Policing has always embraced new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is, of course, the flavour of the month. Working out when and why it should be used is crucial, according to law enforcement specialists. What’s also important is ensuring appropriate human oversight. Future Tense - The creeping militarisation of our police Guests Dr Marion Oswald – Professor of Law, Northumbria University Philip Lukens – Former Police Chief, Alliance, Nebraska.
By Karin Zsivanovits, Antony Funnell Verified
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Verified
What power does the UN hold if volatile leaders keep ignoring it?
Financial woes, global conflicts, and world leaders who act like the rules don’t apply. The United Nations is at crisis point. So, 80 years since its creation, is the UN still relevant? And how might we fix it? This week, we’re unpacking what the organisation actually does, how it holds countries accountable, and why President Donald Trump is threatening to slash funding. Guest: Antony Funnell, host of Future Tense.
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