Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

About Elizabeth Gilbert:

The author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert has thought long and hard about some large topics. Her next fascination: genius, and how we ruin it.

Novelist Amy Tan digs deep into the creative process, looking for hints of how hers evolved.

Summary:

The rise of China as both an economic and political power has provoked intense interest in the West.

Daily discussions in the US and Europe reflect on the rapid emergence of China’s industrial might and potential on the world stage. Much of this discussion seems to be underscored by deep anxiety, however.

The Beijing Olympics provided a focus whereby this anxiety seemed to intensify. Some have raised concerns about a rise of ‘China-bashing’. Has it become ‘fashionable’ to portray China as an ‘evil’ empire as a means playing up the comparative virtue of the West?

Talk of the impressive acceleration of China’s productivity is invariably accompanied by environmental concerns, particularly with regard to pollution and China’s increasing demand for material improvements leading to greater energy consumption.

The political character of the Chinese regime is also a cause for concern, with passions raised particularly with regard to the lack of free speech in China, abuses of human rights in Tibet, and alleged complicity with atrocities in Darfur and Zimbabwe, as China plays an ever greater international role.

To what extent is the expansion of China’s productive capabilities to be welcomed? Can China provide an example of how to transform less developed parts of the world? Or is the growth of China a threat to the international order and humanity more broadly? Are Western observers right to fear the rise of China?

Is the discussion about China sufficiently objective, or has it rather become a focus for concerns within the West, such as our own ambivalent attitude to economic growth, and fears about our changing place in the world? - NY Salon

Summary:

India and China are the world’s fastest growing economies. The multinationals of the developing world are challenging the dominance of Western firms.

China’s oil companies and mining firms are spreading throughout the developing world, while India’s hi-tech firms are more than a match for many in the developed world. The world’s tallest buildings, largest airports, fastest trains, and biggest dams are now all to be found in the developing world.

Summary:

See some signs of hope in dark economic times as panelists explore some of the mind-boggling innovations that are changing our lives and can shape the future of the country. Even in the midst of economic free fall, there are signs of hope.

As of January 2009, the United States has built a flying car, found ways to turn algae into fuel, synthetically reproduced organs, had face-to-face conversations with people on the other side of the planet, and built robots to do our house cleaning for us.

Tune in to find out how some of the smartest people in California are trying to innovate us out of disaster.

Summary:

Michael Ruse, philosopher of science, recounts the history of Darwinism by explaining the theories of evolution and natural selection. Ruse questions whether these theories are as valid today, 200 years after Darwin’s birthday.

Held at University of Sydney.

Part of the ABC FORA Program.