Will there always be a European Union and a UN, or have these kind of collective endeavours lost their way under 21st century individualism?
    1+
    Asked by:
    @emsexton
    Share
    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
    Share
    How many does light bulbs does it take to change a politician?
    14+

    People have great ideas all the time- how to help those in need, starting with providing water where there is none, sanitary and hygiene products where they are lacking, food and shelter to those without… but do politicians ever change? We keep electing and fostering a system where the greediest are given the role of decision makers… why is that?

    Asked by:
    @OzHorrorcon
    Share
    With overwhelming evidence, why are we not working together to battle climate change?
    6+

    I feel like environmental issues are so easily shut down as being unimportant, for “hippies” or are important but only as they don’t come at the expense of the economy. With so much evidence suggesting if we don’t do something, major disastrous circumstances will result. Are people living in denial? Do they believe this is just another unfounded, doomsday prophesy? And how will sustainable development ever occur if we can’t even get people on-board supporting this issue.

    Asked by:
    Tara
    Share
    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
    Share
    How can the UN Security Council ultimately be disbanded (a Q of the key members giving up their veto power) for a change in 2015+?
    1+

    It would greatly change the world dynamics. When the UN SC was created, international politics were in a very different stage. Brazil & India are now larger powers for example, with a large population and stake in the current international stage.

    Asked by:
    Claire Moldrich
    Share
    Is spoken word, performance poetry and poetry slam on the margins of literary culture in Australia? If so, how does it overcome that?
    16+

    I think spoken word, performance poetry and poetry slam has underrated potential that I want to see thrive in Australia’s literary landscape.

    Asked by:
    @melbspokenword
    Share
    What is Australia’s “national security” policy and strategy?
    2+

    The Government and Labor Opposition often cite the importance of “national security”, most frequently in the context of countering terrorism and Islamic extremism. But there is no extant national security policy and strategy, and little public debate on this critical topic that should concern all Australians.

    Asked by:
    Michael G. Smith
    Share
    If you tape a piece of buttered bread to the back of a cat & drop it out a window, do you create a perpetual-motion machine?
    3+
    Asked by:
    @Mighty_Ginge
    Share
    Were you eavesdropping on our brunch on Saturday while we were discussing the overdue renaissance of the interrobang?
    4+

    Because this is bizarre!

    Asked by:
    @jaxcullen
    Share
    The tragic picture of the drowned Syrian toddler, or Kevin Carter’s picture of the starving Sudanese child with a vulture waiting to pounce, lead to compassionate letters about how we deal with the aftermath of the world’s tragedies. But where are the ideas for how we stop these tragedies at their source?
    20+

    Can you tell us how we, the people, convince the United nations to act as a genuine force for good in the world by bringing together the might of the world’s most powerful nations to rectify, at its source, the trauma these individuals are enduring? Or can you suggest other ways we can act? I’m asking this question out of sheer frustration that we can do nothing more than be compassionate to the world’s victims AFTER the event. People power has achieved results before, so perhaps those caring people can do more now – but how?

    Asked by:
    Robyn Maggs
    Share
    How would our lives change if we talked about death as much as we talk about birth?
    13+

    Because I believe that talking about death can be life-changing and life-affirming.

    Asked by:
    Karin
    Share
    Why happiness rather than contentment: are we never satisfied?
    12+

    Because I think that our society promotes the myth of happiness and that more will do it.

    Asked by:
    Winsome Thomas
    Share