The Nightly Planet asks the questions — This is perhaps the most intelligent music program on radio. Every night it comprehensively programs non-mainstream popular musics from around the world. Presenter Robyn Johnston is always well informed and obviously very keen about the music she plays. The theme of this program is musical questions. Margret RoadKnight asks: What if B.B. King and one's beloved were both drowning, and there's not time to save them both? Bruce Cockburn wonders: What would a peace-loving North American do, were he instead a Central American peasant? Yousou N'Dour would like to know why the rich countries make toxic wastes and why they are sent to the poor countries for disposal. Other probing queries are made by Michelle Shocked, Miriam Makeba and Sarah Vaughan. ABC National, Fri August 28 (and every other weeknight), 11.05 p.m.
The Science Show: Resurrecting Ronnie — A special program on the radical psychiatry of R.D. Laing. ABC National, Sat August 29, 12.40 p.m. (repeated Mon August 31, 7.40 p.m.).
Big Men, Broken Dreams — Part 3 of a special series on the making of the Black Harvest trilogy of films about the impact of Europeans on the PNG highlands. ABC Radio National, Sat August 29, 1.30 p.m. (repeated Fri September 4, 9.30 p.m.).
In The Mix: Gangs — The culture, attraction, and theory of the gang and its importance among the disenfranchised and the extreme. Developments in the LA gangs are discussed where they have promised an end to the drug trade in exchange for a massive infusion of reconstruction funds. ABC Radio National, Mon August 31, 10.05 a.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Out On Wednesday: Ladysmith Black Mambazo live in concert — South Africa's most acclaimed vocal group. ABC FM Stereo, Wed September 2, 8 p.m.