Beyond Infinity

Piers is joined by mathematician and university lecturer Dr Ian Storey to discuss how lessons from business school on understanding risk can provide useful life lessons. Ian explains how fear of losing prevents many people from making a good bet and how success depends on a degree of risk. But risk is everywhere - from investing in equities to fixed income from bank deposits.

Australia's Liberal-National Coalition partners have controversially abandoned their 'Net Zero' emissions policy in favour of a more balanced, pragmatic approach. This important distinction between ruling Labour government and conservative opposition is inspired by a newly released policy paper from the Page Research Centre. "Delivering a High Energy Australia" argues the net zero strategy is failing due to rising costs, industry decline, and environmental damage. It proposes a High Energy Australia approach that prioritizes lower energy prices, reduces emissions at a realistic pace and embraces all energy technologies, including nuclear, coal, and gas. Piers and Simon Mulvany offer their perspective.

With the transition to Block 3 Starship, a new paradigm of large scale launches is expected to kick off in 2026. The pace is picking up for humanity's return to Earth's nearest satellite. In October '25, Spacex released details of what's been achieved so far with Starship integrated flight test launches 1 to 11. The update relates specifically to NASA's Artemis program, for which SpaceX is a prime contractor. The plan is to establish a moon base, with the South Pole area a prime target given its resources. At long last, after a hiatus of more than 50 years, the time approaches to follow on from Neil Armstrong's legacy and leave new human footprints in the lunar regolith. [While you're here, why not check out our 'Spacious' back catalogue? https://beyondinfinity.com.au/category/space/]

If you throw a tennis ball in space, does it go on forever? Dr Ian Storey, mathematician and Lecturer in Business Information Systems at Torrens University, talks physics, maths, Einstein and the probabilities. Oh.. and F1 cars. Brace for landing! [with apologies to Derek - not Eric - Muller of Veritasium fame]

Piers and bee-keeper activist Simon Mulvany dive into the spread of invasive species around the continent. We explore the devastating impact of the Varroa mite on bee populations, the algal blooms poisoning South Australia's coastline and the devastation of century old trees in Perth by the shot hole borer. There is now an urgent need for action to protect our unique and fragile ecosystems.

US real estate giant CoStar bought Domain, a leading Australian property platform. With sites like apartments.com, homes.com and expertise in data analytics, they could shake up how people trade real estate and mess with the big incumbents. Who knows, maybe they'll start selling houses with NFTs. Andrew Beecher offers insight.

Piers and Andrew chew the phat and agree we're in an AI bubble which could burst at any moment. POP! We ruminate on the future of work and which jobs are stayers in the new paradigm; how AI has shifted employment, not destroyed it. We get esoteric in the uncanny valley of deep fakes, artificial muzak and alien art. We discuss AI's integration into kids' education and the need for guardrails, especially given the tragic suicide of a US teen allegedly egged on by an AI chat bot. We reckon AI needs control and has definite limitations, but should be a force for good.

Cars are moving away from the traditional model many of us grew up with. In spite of our nostalgia, we're seeing a flourishing menagerie of electric vehicles on Australian roads. Piers talks with car guy, online publisher and motoring pro Andrew Beecher about where the industry is headed. We discuss the Chinese EV onslaught, the pros and cons of EV ownership and Elon Musk's dalliance with politics and its effect on brand Tesla and his other businesses.

We consider the aftermath of a once sweet political alliance, now in tatters, between the world's richest man Elon Musk and the leader of the free world, President Trump. Despite Musk deleting his most explosive anti-Trump posts from the X platform, it's hard to see these two colossal egos reconciling any time soon. So who comes out of this worse off or will both men ultimately lose? [AND.... for SO much more of our Pod, check out beyondinfinity.com.au]

Donald Trump's 2nd term started with a bang – tariffs, trade wars, midnight tweets; a national emergency on the southern border. Tariff policies as vague as his hairline, DEI initiatives rolled back faster than his approval ratings and executive orders flew as fast as his thick black marker could scribble them. Conservative values got a boost, while institutions took a hit. Global tensions soared and drama ensued. What can one say? Have we really been trumped or just stumped? Insane as it may sound, DJT has the cards.

Beekeeper activist Simon Mulvany explains how the new Honey Integrity Act cracks down on adulterated honey and improves transparency in the market. He reckons it's way too easy to import fake honey into Australia and we should be following the US lead. Without a healthy and vibrant bee industry, we risk losing a big chunk of our food production which relies on them for pollination. [For more from Simon, visit: https://beyondinfinity.com.au/?s=Simon+mulvany]

The Donald steamed into his second term with laser focus on securing US borders, unleashing American energy and promoting government efficiency. He wielded his big black marker - signing numerous executive orders, luring significant investments, threatening trade wars and making key policy changes. Presenter Piers Cunningham and guest Simon Mulvany discuss the pros, cons and promise of the thunderous shake up rippling around the world under the 47th American President.

Piers and Brad look back on the big events and issues of 2024, as discussed on the Beyond Infinity Pod. From Australia's unrealistic energy policies, sharp population growth, housing shortages and our home state Victoria's Big Build disaster through to Trump's second term, with Musk as efficiency Tsar and the backlash against wokeism. We chew the phat, cough up a fur ball or two, but remain upbeat. We do after all live in interesting times...

Modern cybernetics informs fields like AI, robotics, biology, sociology, and philosophy, offering insights into the intricate web of relationships within and among systems. Piers and cyber security expert Dr. Ian Storey discuss the origins and modern uses. We also delve into the Federal Government's proposed social media ban for Under-16s in Australia. Will all social media users, including adults, be forced to somehow prove their age online?

Necessity really is the mother of invention. And some inventions make a big difference. Retired physicist Dr. Tony Heyes explains how his work solving transport problems for the blind led to an unforeseen reward from a stranger.

While renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro are crucial for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change, they struggle to meet electricity demand during peak load conditions. Physicist Dr. Tony Heyes argues Australia has little choice but to plan for a nuclear energy future, while sticking with affordable and effective fossil fuels in the interim.

Artificial intelligence is leading humanity towards what many see as a new renaissance for human creativity, augmented by almost unlimited computing power. Others fear recursive AI could get out of control and behave in ways that are unpredictable and undesirable. Dr Ian Storey updates us on how far away we are from Kurtweil's Singularity, implications for information security and the potential for an AI super intelligence to come to being by 2045. Or earlier.

Piers sits down with Simon to discuss the spread of varroa mite into Victoria and what might be done to manage the problem. Also, the effects on honey purity and retail cost. Simon also discusses Queensland authorities' alarmist response to fire ants, including the indiscriminate use of chemical spraying, often without land owners knowledge or permission.

Within minutes of former president Trump's attempted assassination on 13th July 2024, Elon Musk posted on X: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” along with a video of Trump raising his fist after being shot in the ear. Musk has since pledged hundreds of millions in campaign support and on 13th August conducted a 2 hour long live phone conversation with Trump on X. But why is Musk wading into politics? He's already stupendously successful, with multiple highly profitable businesses to his name. Does he really need to publicly choose sides? ……Like what you hear? Check out our back catalogue on Musk here: http://beyondinfinity.com.au/?s=Elon+Musk

The announcement on the King's Birthday public holiday that Dan Andrews has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia has left many people shocked and bewildered. Why on earth is a failed leader who presided over Victoria's disastrous response to the covid pandemic with the world's longest lockdowns, a health system in crisis, stratospheric infrastructure cost blowouts and state debt S&P forecasts to reach $250 billion by 2027 being honoured by the Council for the Order of Australia?