I find it strange that all educational philosophy and research gets ignored by modern high school education.

Questions drive inquiry, which is the way to critically engage with contested ideas.

Our recent political leaders are too busy fighting egos, within their own parties as well as the opposition’s, to get down and make some inspired choices for the future of Australians. There’s no long term planning because of all the navel-gazing and it’s embarrassing! Australia could be a world leader with the great minds we have in this country, and the freedom to voice ideas, and yet none of this seems to float to the top, where the decisions get made.

2. Give me the fife.

Why not?

Elizabeth St in Melbourne is prone to flooding, and beneath the streets runs a creek (Williams creek) which seems to be desperate to reassert itself. Other cities have successfully (re)integrated waterways into their cities, notably Seoul, South Korea. Should Melbourne do the same?

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?

Disillusionment on Australian democracy at its ability to generate a constructive, non combative, effective plan for our country’s future

Will we continue the trend of McMansions or develop the increasing interest in tiny houses? Will we stay in small family units or revert to multi-generational households as Baby Boomers age and younger generations stay at home longer? In what ways will sustainability and energy-efficiency play a part?

I thought it was interesting.

This is a question that propels my research (at RMIT University), e.g. I co-edited Life Without Money: Building Fair and Sustainable Economies (2011, Pluto Press, London)