Jonathan Firbank, Author at THINK Magazine

Our Post-Truth Reality

Post-truth populism has secured a powerful mandate in the United States of America. This reflects a trend that extends through the world’s liberal democracies and will invite global imitation. In this opinion piece, Jonathan Firbank describes how post-truth populism works, why it works, and why the American election might show us how to fight it.

Water, Malta and a Fraught Future

Water is the last resource. The politics, deprivation and conflict created by water insecurity will define the future. Malta, as one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, will be ahead of the historical and technological curve.

drought malta society Think Magazine university of malta warfare water water scarcity water stress

Our Brain Beyond The Sky

The University of Malta’s Boundaries of the Brain laboratory is developing a toolbox that can help study spaceflight’s impact on the brain.

BOB lab brain malta neurology research science Think Magazine university of malta VB Toolbox

Fenkata – Science and Symbolism in Rabbit Stew

Fenkata, Maltese rabbit stew, is a delicious cultural staple. Jonathan Firbank explores the boozy chemistry behind its deliciousness and the dramatic history behind its cultural significance.

chemistry fenkata Knight Knights rabbit science wine

The Voynich Manuscript

The Voynich Manuscript is one of the most enduring historical enigmas, attracting multidisciplinary interest from around the world. Jonathan Firbank speaks with UM’s wing of the Voynich Research Group about the history, mystery, and cutting-edge technology brought together by this unique medieval text.

ai Code cyberspace Voynich Manuscript

Russia’s War Against Its Own Army (Part I)

Russia’s regime is conducting two wars, one to subjugate Ukraine, and another to subjugate its own military. In Part 1 of this article, Jonathan Firbank recounts ways Russia has compromised the morale of its forces and UM strategy expert, Dr Valentina Cassar, explains their broader implications. Part 2 can be found here.

meat wave Putin Russia Ukraine Valentina Cassar war

Russia’s War Against Its Own Army (Part II)

Russia’s regime is conducting two wars, one to subjugate Ukraine, and another to subjugate its own military. In Part 2 of this article, Jonathan Firbank speaks with Dr Valentina Cassar about the Wagner uprising that these two wars incentivized, and about how Russia is managing the risk of this happening again. Part 1 can be found here.

Prigozhin Putin Russia Valentina Cassar Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin

Is Now the Time for a Wealth Tax?

In the face of ever-worsening wealth inequality, one solution for Malta (or elsewhere) could be a tax on wealth. Jonathan Firbank speaks to Dr Charmaine Portelli about why this idea is flawed, and yet, why this flawed idea might still be necessary for today’s world.

economy Equity Taxation Wealth Tax

Campus Sustainability: University of Malta Leads the Way

The University of Malta (UM) has set out to become a sustainability ‘Living Laboratory’. Jonathan Firbank speaks with Prof. Maria Attard about the Committee for Sustainability at the University of Malta, C-SUM, and its role in this interdisciplinary, interdepartmental experiment.

C-SUM Committee for Sustainability solar panels sustainability university of malta waste management

What’s That Noise?

Malta depends on subterranean groundwater for agriculture, industry, and a large population. A University of Malta initiative, Project SIGMA, is monitoring groundwater sources not by digging for them, but by listening.

aquifers geosciences groundwater Seismic Signals SIGMA sustainability