1. People Magazine Investigates: Cults: Jonestown Massacre
2. Critical thinking

Who knows for how long mankind has been jumping up and down for fun, and yet we still have not perfected the art of the trampoline. We break down the science of bouncing.

What happens when there's not enough friction on a slip and slide, or too much drag after diving off a nine metre platform? We break down the science of summer fun gone wrong.

The 'Cannon Ball Ice Dude' racked up 2 million views on YouTube with his attempt to jump into a frozen pool. We break down the science behind what went wrong.

Big ideas presents the best public talks, debates and lectures from Australia and around the world, with a focus on arts and culture.

Jacques Roubaud is a mathematician, poet and member of an exclusive French writing collective; their activities will both surprise and impress. Here he is in conversation with Chris Andrews at this year's Sydney Writers' Festival

Mathematician, poet, translator and Oulipean; this is Jacques Roubard. He's retired as a mathematics Prof but he's still writing poetry and talking about it with Oulipo enthusiast, Chris Andrews.

Tim Cope is a young bloke who grew up in rural Victoria; dropped out of Arts/Law after one semester; then set off on a solo trek across the Eurasian steppe. No human companionship, just a Mongolian dog and some unbelievably stoic Mongolian horses.

Gary Shteyngart is like a much funnier, more hyper Woody Allen. Here he is in conversation with Michael Williams at the Sydney Writers' Festival about his memoir, Little Failures.

This author 'talks quiet quietly and writes loudly'; acclaimed writer Christos Tsiolkas talks masculinity, hatred, sex and family obligation, and what it takes to be a good man. He's in conversation with David Marr.

Big Ideas presents the best public talks, debates and lectures from Australia and around the world, with a focus on arts and culture.

Robyn Archer and Julianne Schultz, two of the smartest cultural leaders in Australia, come together to share their opinions, wealth of experience and quick wit as they battle against the cultural naysayers.

Big Ideas presents the best public talks, debates and lectures from Australia and around the world, with a focus on arts and culture.

Paul the Octopus was a common octopus living in a tank at a Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, who was used as an animal oracle to predict the results of football matches, usually international matches in which Germany was playing. He came to worldwide attention with his accurate predictions in the 2010 World Cup.

As millions continue to flee the depredations of war, oppression and poverty, how will history judge the quality and character of the world's response? Dr Simon Longstaff chairs.

Richard Flanagan's latest book tells the story of a young doctor and POW working on the notorious Thai Burma railway during the Second World War. He talks with Steven Gale at the Adelaide Writers Week about his inspiration.

Author of wildly successful novel Burial Rites about double murderer Agnes Magnusdottir (last woman executed in Iceland, 1830), Hannah Kent talks to Steven Gale about her novel: poetic, grisly and at one with the bleak scenery.

Big Ideas presents the best public talks, debates and lectures from Australia and around the world, with a focus on arts and culture.

Dame Margaret Drabble makes such a good interview, settled here in her very sensible shoes with no sense of weariness in talking over much earlier novels. She's in conversation here at Adelaide Writers Week with Cath Keneally.