The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
How did Steve Bannon exploit Google ads to monetise extremism?
Google kicked Bannon off YouTube because of his violent rhetoric but still sent ad dollars to his website that promotes misinformation about the election and the pandemic.
What does the outcome of COP26 mean for the future of the planet? š
Earlier this month, world leaders met in Glasgow to negotiate on climate change. With the eyes of the world on COP26, did the meeting meet the needs of the globe to address the climate crisis? Was it successful?
Why is China cracking down on dissident international students?
Students and scholars from China who criticise the regime in Beijing can face quick retaliation from fellow students and Chinese officials who harass their families back home. U.S. universities rarely intervene.
Surveillance: What is it good for?
Online monitoring raises serious questions about privacy and rights, but where justified it can be used for good if organisations consider wider issues like transparency and fairness.Ā
Is New Zealand’s legal aid crisis eroding the right to justice?
New Zealandās legal aid crisis is eroding the right to justice ā thatās unacceptable in a fair society.Ā
What legal systems are really necessary to fix climate change? š
Is the current legal and voluntary structure adequate to meet the challenge of climate change? Are we up to the challenge?
Science & Technology
Omicron: What do we know about the new Covid variant?
A new SARS-CoV-2 variant has been identified āĀ B.1.1.529. The World Health Organisation hasĀ declaredĀ it a variant of concern, and assigned it the name Omicron.
How biased are algorithms? Can they be put to better use? š
Algorithms reflect the biases of the society in which they exist and the programmers who create them. With this, however, there has been a social and political reaction against their use.
Gaining steam or just hot air: What is the role of hydrogen in decarbonising New Zealandās economy?
To make hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels, the Government would need to use a combination of investment, incentivisation and regulation but these benefits should only apply to certified green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy.
Do we need a fundamental rethink into how we address climate change?
By Anne Salmond The way the Government is investing in tackling climate change is scientifically ill-informed, and economically ill-considered. It needs a fundamental rethink, writes Dame Anne Salmond.Ā My heart sank when I read about the commitments that New Zealand...
Is New Zealand’s infrastructure ready for the uptake in electric vehicles?
Is New Zealandās infrastructure ready for an increased uptake in electric vehicles? Experts at the University are helping devise the technology needed as well as working to remove barriers to access.
Why are rapid COVID tests so expensive and hard to find?
Months-long silences. Mysterious rejections. Hereās what’s behind the shortages of a critical tool for ending the pandemic.
Business & Economics
Why did the world’s supply chain fail and how can we make it more resilient? š
The COVID pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of the world’s supply chain, with its emphasis on lowering costs without regard to the resilience of disruptions.
How do rich politicians avoid paying tax?
IRS records reveal how Gov. Jim Justice, Gov. Jared Polis, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other wealthy political figures slashed their taxes using strategies unavailable to most of their constituents.
Gaining steam or just hot air: What is the role of hydrogen in decarbonising New Zealandās economy?
To make hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels, the Government would need to use a combination of investment, incentivisation and regulation but these benefits should only apply to certified green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy.
What is the hidden cost of New Zealandās āfood basket to the worldā role?
New Zealandās reliance on pastoral farming as the backbone of its agricultural economy has a hidden cost in the form of phosphate extraction, a non-renewable resource mined at a high cost to our Pacific neighbours and the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara.
Do we need a right to repair?
Legislative changes must be made quickly to avoid New Zealand becoming a dumping ground for products unable to be sold overseas.
What has happened to supply-chains?
As Covid-19 cases decline, capacity constraints and shortages should ease, spending on travel and entertainment should pick up, slowing demand for goods and taking some of the pressure off supply chains and delivery times.
Arts & Culture
How many decades old is ārevenge pornā and how have laws historically addressed it?
By Jessica Lake In the 19th century, a man was busted for pasting photos of womenās heads on naked bodies ā¦ soundĀ familiar? A new app can turn anyone into a porn star against their will. All you need is a photo andĀ deep fakeĀ artificial intelligence technology will...
Choosing our destiny: why do Pentecostal churches oppose COVID response efforts?
Fraser Macdonald examines why Destiny Church and other New Zealand Pentecostalists oppose lockdowns andĀ vaccination.
What is the metaverse?
What is the metaverse? Two media and information experts explain.
Why are the New Zealand Wars still important? š
In this episode of the Big Q podcast, Sam Smith speaks with renowned New Zealand historian Vincent OāMalley about the New Zealand wars, their importance, and their place in contemporary New Zealand.
Why do some people believe the Earth is flat?
By Anders Furze Although scientific evidence says the Earth is a sphere orbiting the Sun, there are some people around who still think our planet is flat... and social media plays a role.Ā If you type āflat Earthā into Google, youād be joining a group of people that...
What is the problem of colonising language? š
David Lloyd speaks with the world-renowned Kenyan novelist, playwright and poet, critic and widely influential postcolonial theorist, NgÅ©gÄ© wa Thiongāo.