Why do products fail to meet their original basic purpose when they are mass produced in low cost manufacturing? Think pop-up toaster.
    2+

    It seems to be a common pattern, and one that creates waste.

    Asked by:
    @Xtrackka
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    What is the future for humanity given the impacts of economic growth and burgeoning population?
    5+

    It matters because there does appear to be the collective wisdom to consider the impacts

    Asked by:
    Peter Carroll
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    Should we make a comparable area of commonwealth land in the Northern Territory, Western Australia,or Queensland available to the small island communities who will lose their land due to rising sea levels?
    13+

    I fear for their future.
    These are small island communities without much support or political clout to get support. They are human beings and need our support. We should care about the plight of our neighbours. It could be a lost culture. They will need somewhere to live and continue their lives with dignity

    Asked by:
    Jan Rosenberg
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    Is it more important to focus on the present (enjoying the moment), future (achieving goals) or past (learning from mistakes)?
    10+

    What makes for a more fulfilling life?

    Asked by:
    @littlecrossing
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    Why are some people “lyrics” people and others not?
    20+

    The lyrics are the last thing that matter to me when I listen to a piece of music (if I can even understand them it’s a plus). But for others they seem to be the most important thing of all (weirdos). Why is this so? Probably it doesn’t matter – I’m just curious.

    Asked by:
    @pinknantucket
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    Is the relentless pursuit of economic growth sustainable as our planet shudders under the impact of the effects of global warming?
    5+

    As the irrefutable evidence of the effects of human causation of global warming through increasing production of greenhouse gasses gains traction,it seems that a new economic paradigm (other than growth) must be urgently considered. After all, it’s about the survival of the next generation(s).

    Asked by:
    David Jewell
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    What should we be explicitly teaching the next generation that we’re not?
    21+

    I’m curious as to what others wished they had learnt in school and what they think our young people need to learn to cope/thrive in the future. I work as an educator and constantly question the relevance of what I’m teaching. What do we assume (most, some, all?) kids will naturally learn, but in fact they’d all benefit from explicitly being taught?

    Asked by:
    M Graham
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    Why has the world still not taken action on climate change?
    8+

    Despite knowing about the risks of climate change since the 1960s and after 25 years of UN climate negotiations, emissions have continued to rise. With the impacts now clearly visible around the world, why are governments still failing to act?

    Asked by:
    James Clark
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    Why put quinoa in chocolate??? This may truly herald the end of the world. For real this time.
    4+

    There are so many ridiculous food combinations when, you know, we haven’t unlocked the rights of or the refugees themselves.

    Asked by:
    @BinsQuan
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    Is it time to stop asking questions and concentrate on answering them?
    8+

    Most thinking persons will say that humanity is in crisis. We have a modern obsession with looking to the future for answers to solve this crisis. If we accept the view that we are not very evolved from the ape man then I think its fair to argue that what is inhibiting our ability to problem solve our state of crisis is simply data overload. I think the answers lay behind us in the rich history of the last five thousand years. This we can mine for answers but the future is never accessible to us.

    Asked by:
    Ian Hutchison
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    When further growth becomes impossible on our planet, what will replace growth as the great economic driver?
    6+

    The huge increase in standard of living for two centuries has been driven, and is measured by, economic growth. To continue to progress without destroying the planet we need a replacement or significant morphing of growth.

    Asked by:
    @geeforce77
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    Why are people rejecting Christianity?
    6+
    Asked by:
    Malcolm Pollard
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    How can we act with honesty and empathy, and create valuable work, when creative industries demand us to be competitive, often over-committed, and sometimes cynical?
    10+

    These things seem at odds, and unsustainable. There has to be a better way forward.

    Asked by:
    @samvanzweden
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