It's time to defend ourselves against the internet

Editor's note

The phrase “break the internet” popularly refers to something so staggeringly important (usually involving a Kardashian) that we all have to stop and stare. But the internet, on which you read The Conversation and do other less important things too, is on the verge of a different kind of meltdown. The digital utopia we all envisioned has become a place of coercion and control by governments and mega-corporations.

This week we took a deep dive into the broken internet to look at how the huge tech companies that now rule the online world make nefarious use of our personal data. Suranga Seneviratne writes that although most Australians hate the idea of being tracked and manipulated online, this has now become our lot in life. The situation has prompted the web’s founding father, Tim Berners-Lee, to propose a manifesto for restoring the web’s egalitarian ideals. But Terry Flew argues the plan is still half-baked.

I’ll be exploring these issues at a special event in Perth on Tuesday, where I’ll be joined in conversation by Edith Cowan University’s Lelia Green and Paul Haskell-Dowland to discuss whether we need to reboot our online lives. Buy a ticket and get a copy of The Conversation’s 2019 yearbook featuring the year’s best analysis and comment.

Michael Hopkin

Science + Technology Editor

Top story

While leaks and whistleblowers continue to be valuable tools in the fight for data privacy, we can’t rely on them solely to keep big tech companies in check. SHUTTERSTOCK

The ugly truth: tech companies are tracking and misusing our data, and there’s little we can do

Suranga Seneviratne, University of Sydney

Most of us are probably having our data tracked in some form. And while there are regulatory safeguards in place to protect user privacy, it's hard to say whether these are enough.

Tim Berners-Lee is the director of the World Wide Web Consortium, an organisation which aims to develop international standards for the web. SHUTTERSTOCK

The internet’s founder now wants to ‘fix the web’, but his proposal misses the mark

Terry Flew, Queensland University of Technology

The father of the web wants to address issues including malicious content circulation, misinformation, and the polarisation of online debate. But the methods he is proposing aren't great.

Listen
Antibiotic resistant superbugs kill 32 plane-loads of people a week. We can all help fight back Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation; Phoebe Roth, The Conversation Antibiotic resistant infections already kill about 700,000 people globally every year. While scientists are racing to find new ways to fight superbugs, there's one thing you can do, too.

Health + Medicine

Genetic testing IVF embryos doesn’t improve the chance of a baby

Karin Hammarberg, Monash University; David Amor, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Women aged over 35 are sometimes offered genetic testing of their IVF embryos to rule out abnormalities. But it's expensive and doesn't increase their chance of a baby. In fact, it could reduce it.
Curious Kids: how do guide dogs know where their owners want to go?

Carmel Nottle, University of South Australia

As part of their training, a guide dog will practise getting around some of the most common places the person they will guide needs to go.

Science + Technology

The case of the pirated blueberries: courts flex new muscle to protect plant breeders’ intellectual property

David Jefferson, The University of Queensland

Bigger penalties for pirating plants could help encourage growers to develop new varieties.
A surprisingly big black hole might have swallowed a star from the inside out, and scientists are baffled

Roberto Soria, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Astronomers using a new technique to hunt black holes found one 70 times as heavy as the Sun

Politics + Society

As bushfires intensify, we need to acknowledge the strain on our volunteers

Blythe McLennan, RMIT University

Volunteer numbers are shrinking in rural areas, leaving fewer people to battle bushfires. We need to change our thinking about volunteering to recruit more firefighters and keep the ones we have.
’Tis the season to say things we later regret – and new research tells us why

Brent Coker, University of Melbourne

People are more likely to disclose information that they’re usually careful about concealing when they’re more awake and alert.

Environment + Energy

Fish kills and undrinkable water: here’s what to expect for the Murray Darling this summer

Jamie Pittock, Australian National University

A researcher who's worked for decades to improve the health of the Murray Darling Basin fears the coming months will be among the worst in history.
A hot and dry Australian summer means heatwaves and fire risk ahead

Catherine Ganter, Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Andrew B. Watkins, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Australia is heading into a scorching summer, but the factors causing the hot and dry weather are expected to ease later in the season.

Business + Economy

Vital Signs: let’s not weep for Westpac’s board, but directors do need help

Richard Holden, UNSW

Board directors of our biggest companies simply aren't equipped to take on management. An idea floated 50 years ago could help.
Robodebt failed its day in court, what now?

Terry Carney, University of Sydney

The Commonwealth has conceded that its program of automatic debt collection was unlawful. It'll probably have to pay the money back.

Education

The majority of music students drop out before the end of high school – is the ATAR to blame?

Rachel White, University of Sydney

NSW schools are losing senior music students in significant numbers. Teachers say they're dropping the subject in year 12 to ensure a higher ATAR.
Before you let your child quit music lessons, try these 5 things

Timothy McKenry, Australian Catholic University

Kids can stop music lessons at any time, due to boredom or disliking practice. It's OK to let them stop if they genuinely don't enjoy it, but it's best to test a few things out first.

Arts + Culture

Vale Clive James – a marvellous low voice whose gracious good humour let others shine

Liz Giuffre, University of Technology Sydney

Clive James will be remembered for his dry wit, distinctive voice and his unlikely yet hugely appealing screen presence.
Crafting in times of crisis helps critters and creators

Emily Brayshaw, University of Technology Sydney

Thousands of people in Australia and around the world have rallied to knit and crochet comfort items for wildlife. Their efforts are the latest in a long history of crafting for a cause.

Cities

Making every building count in meeting Australia’s emission targets

Timothy O'Leary, University of Melbourne

Making better use of existing building space is a neglected but essential way to cut our carbon emissions. The key is human behaviour. Good low-carbon citizens will help create good low-carbon cities.
Geographical narcissism: when city folk just assume they’re better

Timothy Baker, Deakin University; Kristy Hess, Deakin University

Big cities are seen as the centre of everything, which creates an attitude that often devalues the work and skills of rural professionals. And sometimes even they subconsciously buy into this.