|
A new documentary by Louis Theroux has put the manosphere back at the centre of public discussion. Combined with headlines about rising misogynistic attitudes among young men, many are left wondering what will become of the men and boys who enter these online spaces.
But there’s one particularly helpful perspective we rarely hear: that of men who have left the manosphere behind.
Researchers Joshua Thorburn and Steven Roberts unpack a new study detailing these men’s experiences. Their insights help explain not only the appeal of this sort of content but, importantly, how men and boys can cultivate more positive forms of masculinity instead.
|
|
Erin Cooper-Douglas
Public Policy Editor
|
|
Joshua Thorburn, Monash University; Steven Roberts, Monash University
A new study highlights the experiences of men who left toxic online spaces.
|
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Australia’s inflation rate could peak in 'the high 4s or even higher' this year, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
|
Mariam Farida, Macquarie University
Israel wants to avoid a repeat of its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon, while Lebanon wants to avoid imploding.
|
Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology
For many drivers, the question is no longer whether an EV could work for them – it is simply a matter of when.
|
Jeannie Marie Paterson, The University of Melbourne
More than 8 million customers could have a stake in this upcoming court case. The clock is now ticking for them to decide if they want to be involved.
|
Stella Huangfu, University of Sydney
One of the biggest risks for central banks is that worries about higher inflation become embedded in people’s thinking.
|
Anne Twomey, University of Sydney
From barrister to chief justice of the High Court, Sir Anthony Mason was at the centre of some of Australia’s most significant legal decisions.
|
Tracey Varker, The University of Melbourne; Meaghan O'Donnell, The University of Melbourne
Psychedelic drug MDMA may help people manage PTSD symptoms. But it should only be used in certain contexts, according to two trauma experts.
|
Sara Webb, Swinburne University of Technology
A new film reminds us how important our world is – and how vital science is to our continued existence on it.
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Hoani Smith, Lincoln University, New Zealand; Erin Roxburgh, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Stacey Niao, University of Canterbury
For most elite women athletes, professional sport still doesn’t pay enough to make a living. But strategic investment will grow their visibility and earning power.
|
|
Health + Medicine
|
-
Kelly Garton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Diets high in ultra-processed foods are linked to many serious diseases, but without recent nutritional surveys there are gaps in understanding the health impacts.
-
Brian Oliver, University of Technology Sydney
‘Dirty fuel’ may sound scary. But here’s why we’re unlikely to see a wave of new disease with this temporary lift in sulfur levels.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
Roy Green, University of Technology Sydney
Australia spends less on research and development than most of the developed world, and our productivity growth is the lowest in decades.
|
|
Environment + Energy
|
-
Milad Haghani, The University of Melbourne
Since February 2025, eight young Australians have died in e-bike crashes. That’s one reason Queensland is pushing for tighter e-mobility regulation.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Celeste Rodriguez Louro, The University of Western Australia
Writing is a relatively recent invention layered on top of something much older and more fundamental.
-
Sharon Horwood, Deakin University
There are simple changes you can make right now.
|
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Tracey Clement, Australian Catholic University
Under curator Hoor Al Qasimi, we see artistic narratives – like memories – are both personal and collective, enduring yet subject to change over time.
|
|
Books + Ideas
|
-
Eve Vincent, Macquarie University
Barbara Ehrenreich was inspired to write her classic expose of low-wage life in America by punitive 1990s welfare laws. Today, its message is as urgent as ever.
|
|
|
|
|
Democracies and development
“In the article about democratisation, the authors state that data shows democratisation leads to higher GDP per capita, better social protection, better health outcomes, lower infant mortality, greater access to safe water and electricity and greater gender equality. They also mention that democracies do not wage wars as much as autocracies do. Evidence suggests that China scores well on all of the above. Yet, the article marks China as a 'closed autocracy'. How did China achieve all these while being a 'closed autocracy'?”
Ranjan Yagoda
Capital gains
“The recent discussion about the capital gains tax discount is focusing on the effect this may have on the housing market. What has been forgotten is the negative cost of this to the budget. It's the equivalent to the total amount spent on aged care! I vote for aged care.”
Mark Penman, Greenslopes, QLD
Another rate rise
“Why do the banks need to pass the RBA rate increases on to mortgage holders? Why can they not take it out of their shareholder profit? I would very much like that explained. I know that will affect superannuation accounts but so what? Isn’t that part of the market super should deal with?”
Lynda Paterson, Eden NSW 
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Featured Events, Courses & Podcasts
|
View all
|
|
|
|
