We all know that certain diseases are contagious, but sometimes behaviour is contagious as well. We take a look at some historical examples—such as the Tanganyika laughter epidemic of 1962, and the 1518 case of uncontrollable dancing—and we consider what might drive copycat crimes. There's also the possibility of suicide contagion. Trigger warning: this episode touches on the subject of suicide, please take care while listening.

Design and creativity really can work together. We talk with a design critic and a product design educator who both have an interest in toys - their history, and how they’re created and assessed in the real world. Get your blocks ready to play along. 

The uncertainty, isolation, and danger posed by the Coronavirus pandemic affects the mental health of many people - but for those on the frontline, all of those feelings can be heightened. We talk to health professionals who have been managing their own panic attacks and anxiety. 

It’s a weird time in the world, but what role does technology play in the age of COVID-19? Also, forget roll call, schools could soon have facial recognition. And will it ever be possible to get conspiracy theories off YouTube? Guests: Nick Kwek, Technology Journalist & Filmmaker @NICKKWEK and Angharad Yeo, ABC television presenter, video game critic, technology journalist and entertainer @angharadyeo

Remember when going to the movies was a thing? Well this week on Download This Show we ask whether the combination of streaming and COVID-19 will be the final nail in its coffin. Plus, Singapore has signed hundreds of its citizens up with a contact tracing app to help limit the spread of the virus. But is this government surveillance gone too far? And, how faith groups are leading the way in building communities in the age of isolation. Guests: Ariel Bogle, online technology reporter, ABC Science @arielbogle + Jonno Seidler, Advertising Creative @jonnoseidler

This is one of the big questions when it comes to the government's new app, but is there a simple answer? Plus, how an entire country in the South Pacific managed to lose their domain to Sweden. And Facebook launches their Zoom competitor, but is it really necessary? Guests: Ariel Bogle, online technology reporter, ABC Science @arielbogle + Nic Healey, Breakfast presenter, ABC Western Plains @dr_nic

On the 17th March Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of Israel will appear in court, charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Despite the charges his party won the most seats in the recent election. So why is he so popular and what does it tell us about Israel politics?

In the fourteenth century, the plague killed about half the population of Europe and Asia, making it one of the most devastating pandemics in human history - and it's a disease that persists to this day.

After a month of almost unprecedented drama on global financial markets due to the spread of the Coronavirus, Rear Vision revisits the 1920s and the events that led to the stock market crash of 1929.

For over 60 years the World Health Organisation has been the pre-eminent international health organisation but questions have been asked about its response to several infectious diseases. This is the story of the WHO, its strengths and its failings. Episode first aired 1 March 2015

This production is inspired by the illustrated books of Stephen Michael King.

This very good and rather disturbing one-man play showcases the talent of star Leon Cain.

Three hour, one man show? Fear not, it's awesome.

'Donka: A Letter to Chekhov' is a dreamy, visually stunning homage to Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and his tender and incisive prose.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.

If this one-man show at The Blue Room is anything to go by, it would be appalling behaviour indeed if the rest of the Blue Room Season "Close Up" was not well attended. I'm not one for one-man shows generally, or for that matter one-woman shows. They can often be hard to sustain especially when the subject matter is not comedic.

You've got to love experimental theatre don't you? Even when they choose a subject that would challenge most theatre goers. I went to see 'Wish' at the Blue Room last week. The second production in their 'Up Close' season of eight productions. And I haven't stopped thinking about it.

A thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance, Riverdance has tapped its way onto the world stage since its inception in 1994, has thrilled more than 22 million people in over 300 venues worldwide throughout 32 countries across 4 continents, and has grossed over US$1.6 billion worldwide.

Like four buzzing bees to the honey pot, my husband, son, his teenage friend and I all flew into the city centre ready for a treat. None of us had any idea what the festival opening was about. I had merely glanced at the festival email as it hit my inbox and was instantly drawn in by the images of acrobats a top spinning things and fire and light filling the sky - a theatrical cacophony.

720 ABC Perth put the call out for eight young bright things (aged 8 - 12) to become our ABC Bright Young Arts Reviewers for the 2011 AWESOME Festival.

ABC Junior Arts Reviewer, Sofie Kerr reviews the 2011 AWESOME Festival.

720 ABC Perth put the call out for eight young bright things (aged 8 - 12) to become our ABC Bright Young Arts Reviewers for the 2011 AWESOME Festival. On Saturday 19th November, our reviewers got their ABC media passes and headed for a tour of the festival - seeing performances and installations that feature from 19 - 27 November in spots around the city.

720 ABC Perth put the call out for eight young bright things (aged 8 - 12) to become our ABC Bright Young Arts Reviewers for the 2011 AWESOME Festival.

720 ABC Perth put the call out for eight young bright things (aged 8 - 12) to become our ABC Bright Young Arts Reviewers for the 2011 AWESOME Festival. On Saturday 19th November, our reviewers got their ABC media passes and headed for a tour of the festival - seeing performances and installations that feature from 19 - 27 November in spots around the city.

Perth Theatre Company's latest play, reviewed by ABC 720's cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie.

If you have to take a quick crash course in thermodynamics and chaos theory before seeing a play, is it really worth seeing? It's a question that could be posed by Arcadia, Tom Stoppard's bulgingly brainy theatre piece that Black Swan State Theatre Company has chosen for its second 2012 season offering.

A modest show about Nyoongar identity is a comic insight into living in two worlds, says 720 ABC's cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie

In expert hands, even memory loss can be a topic for satisfying drama, says ABC 720's cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie

How did Oedipus become such a naughty little boy? Is it all the fault of his mother? Perth Theatre Company's latest show is an imaginative take on the Greek myth, says ABC 720's cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie

Indonesia, like other emerging economies, has been hit hard economically by Covid-19. Our guest argues that it's in Australia's interests to extend an economic lifeline, and that there's a costless way to do it.

News sites are recording a huge spike in traffic - but with advertising dollars dropping, how will media survive?

News sites are recording a huge spike in traffic - but with advertising dollars dropping, how will media survive?

Building a sustainable renewable industry.

The dire predictions for Africa are all in place, but so far they haven't come true.

PNG was already battling dangerous infectious diseases — tuberculosis and HIV. Now it has to fight coronavirus as well. Incredibly, so far there are only seven known cases of Covid-19 in the whole country, and no known deaths.

The higher education sector is a vital part of Australia's economic and intellectual life - why is Canberra intent on ignoring it?

One of the world's best known economists is proposing that all American be tested for Covid-19, regularly. Paul Romer says despite the expense and logistical challenges, mass testing is the only way the US can build community confidence, and therefore successfully re-open the economy.

Most of the world is locking down and spatial distancing - but in Sweden the powerful public health agency has steered the country down a very different path.

A high-tech telescope situated in Western Australia's desert discovers a galaxy almost five billion light-years away.

Space exploration has given us conveniences such as smartphone cameras, memory foam mattresses and satellite navigation, but it also boosts the economy.

Ian Blayney is a regional MP who decided to quit the WA Liberals and move to the Nationals. But everyone, especially his own former party leader, is being strangely nice about it, writes Jacob Kagi.

Got a metal detector? This outback town is setting up a prospecting lease for tourists who want to try their hand at landing a gold nugget.

Foreign investors buy hundreds of hectares of land in WA's Midwest with plans to build homes specifically for Chinese migrants and associated services, including a school.

A car and a bus carrying 34 people crash on Indian Ocean Drive north of Perth, at the turn-off to the world-famous Pinnacles rock formations, leaving two Chinese tourists who were in the SUV dead and a third in hospital.

Brutal heat and bitter cold have cost farmers in WA more than 1.5m tonnes in crops over the course of a fortnight, according to a grain industry report.

Locals say bad driving mainly from tourists is to blame for a spate of fatal crashes on a stretch of Indian Ocean Drive north of Perth, after the latest serious accident left two foreigners dead.