While most of us claim to be rational beings, so many disputes in our society are about self-interest. In that context, it seems evidence is only acepted where it serves those interests. Can we change that way of thinking, or is it just a necessary part of being human?

I am asking because we are becoming more convergent at the same time we are becoming more divergent. We have the power to build and destroy each other and ourselves. I want to know what we are doing today to ensure humanity exists for future generations at the same time the earth is changing/evolving.

Because of the question being posed to Y Varoufakis. It seems to be happening in Russia, so it may be important to us all ‘down the road’!

Democracies have little value unless the populace participates. I (probably like many others) am put off from active participation and my cynicism is fed, by the cumbersome nature of government and the lack of cooperation between parties. Does a ‘party system’ have to translate into the circus that we witness in our parliaments?

Lack of integrity has led to self-interest before social interest. As a species, if we continue we will obliterate ourselves and earth. This includes endless personal consumption, regardless of the environmental impact to the world, money before medical care, power and glory of national leaders before a love of and duty to their people, country and the world. Extreme poverty can be truly alleviated if world leaders would work together. War works, while the arsenal is manufactured by countries without integrity. Banks make gluttonous profits, while so many slave over a mortgage all their lives. Those born with the innate capacity of cognitive brilliance, who become scientists, leaders, inventors, business achievers, should be the carers of those with much less ability. How do we inspire and deliver integrity again?

I’ve always wondered. Every swimmer says they hate the early starts. So swim later. YOU HAVE ALL DAY TO SWIM! The races are often at night. Pools are indoors. It makes no sense!!

Structural inequality, duh.

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.

What will sustainble farming look like and which cuisines will dominate flavour wars?

Has an increase in knowledge without an arguably similar increase in wisdom created a less accepting global community? In our thirst for more an more knowledge do we have less time/inclination to consider the implications of that knowledge? I feel that we are becoming less tolerant as the world community becomes smaller. Reduced tolerance can and usually does lead to increased ignorance and potential conflict.

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?