In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel Goodbye, Vitamin to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel&nbsp;Goodbye, Vitamin&nbsp;to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of&nbsp;Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/83fa820d-62f8-499d-88b4-b2840064afdb/transcript

Next election the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will have a new contender for his Sydney seat, with commentator and Cheek Media founder Hannah Ferguson announcing she’s taking a tilt. 

She says she’s started canvassing locals to find out what they want from their representative, and that she’s already been warned that attempts to build a dirt file on her have begun. 

Today, we speak with Hannah Ferguson, and political journalist Karen Middleton, about what it takes to actually oust a PM, and what else could be in store. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Candidate for Grayndler Hannah Ferguson and press gallery journalist Karen Middleton

Photo: AAP Image/ Lukas Coch

Next election the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will have a new contender for his Sydney seat, with commentator and Cheek Media founder Hannah Ferguson announcing she&rsquo;s taking a tilt. She says she&rsquo;s started canvassing locals to find out what they want from their representative, and that she&rsquo;s already been warned that attempts to build a dirt file on her have begun.&nbsp;
Today, we speak with Hannah Ferguson, and political journalist Karen Middleton, about what it takes to actually oust a PM, and what else could be in store.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Candidate for Grayndler Hannah Ferguson and press gallery journalist Karen Middleton
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/ Lukas Coch

Albo vs Hannah Ferguson: Can the 28-year old media founder topple the PM?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/01c77faf-8c8c-4212-9c91-b49600526b54/transcript

After a chaotic 24 hours of backroom plotting and mounting pressure, the Victorian premier resigned.

Jacinta Allan’s replacement, and former deputy leader Ben Carroll, now has just four months to turn Labor’s fortunes around in what’s shaping up to be the most unpredictable election the state has ever seen.

Polls show an unprecedented three-party contest – with voters split, almost equally, between the unpopular Labor government, an Opposition ridden by scandal, and a rising One Nation.

Today, ABC Melbourne Mornings host Raf Epstein on what Labor’s change of leader means for an already chaotic election race and whether Australia’s most progressive state could turn orange.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: ABC Radio Melbourne host Raf Epstein

Photo: AAP Image/James Ross

After a chaotic 24 hours of backroom plotting and mounting pressure, the Victorian premier resigned.
Jacinta Allan&rsquo;s replacement, and former deputy leader Ben Carroll, now has just four months to turn Labor&rsquo;s fortunes around in what&rsquo;s shaping up to be the most unpredictable election the state has ever seen.
Polls show an unprecedented three-party contest &ndash; with voters split, almost equally, between the unpopular Labor government, an Opposition ridden by scandal, and a rising One Nation.
Today, ABC Melbourne Mornings host Raf Epstein on what Labor&rsquo;s change of leader means for an already chaotic election race and whether Australia&rsquo;s most progressive state could turn orange.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: ABC Radio Melbourne host Raf Epstein
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/James Ross

“It’s ugly. It’s messy”: Inside the plot to bring down the Victorian premier

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1e79a41d-2506-4444-8e65-b495005cb7ad/transcript

Cory Doctorow is the author and tech critic who brought us the term ‘enshittification’ – which refers to the gradual decline in the quality of digital platforms and services over time.

Now he’s warning that what we’ve been led to believe is the inevitable march of AI towards world domination isn’t that inevitable after all, and actually what we’re marching towards could be the end of the AI bubble.

Because every time you ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini a question, companies like OpenAI are losing money. The more we use, the more they lose.

And while those AI giants burn through billions of dollars a year, gambling that eventually they’ll figure out how to turn it into a profitable business, the world’s economy is hanging in the balance.

Today, Cory Doctorow, on why the AI boom is being pushed into every part of our lives and what happens when the bubble bursts.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Cory Doctorow is in Australia this August for appearances at Sydney’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and in Melbourne at The Capitol, presented by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. His new book, The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI, is out via Verso 

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Author Cory Doctorow

Photo: AAP Image/James Ross

Cory Doctorow is the author and tech critic who brought us the term &lsquo;enshittification&rsquo; &ndash; which refers to the gradual decline in the quality of digital platforms and services over time.
Now he&rsquo;s warning that what we&rsquo;ve been led to believe is the inevitable march of AI towards world domination isn&rsquo;t that inevitable after all, and actually what we&rsquo;re marching towards could be the end of the AI bubble.
Because every time you ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini a question, companies like OpenAI are losing money. The more we use, the more they lose.
And while those AI giants burn through billions of dollars a year, gambling that eventually they&rsquo;ll figure out how to turn it into a profitable business, the world&rsquo;s economy is hanging in the balance.
Today, Cory Doctorow, on why the AI boom is being pushed into every part of our lives and what happens when the bubble bursts.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Cory Doctorow is in Australia this August for appearances at Sydney&rsquo;s Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and in Melbourne at The Capitol, presented by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. His new book, The Reverse Centaur&rsquo;s Guide to Life After AI, is out via Verso&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Author Cory Doctorow
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/James Ross

Who decided AI was inevitable?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c5e9fd05-4dd2-4e07-9049-b494005fc6f1/transcript

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

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