“Not one Australian child will live in poverty” said Hawke in 1987 – is that the case today?
    6+

    Poverty is a global problem. the most vulnerable are also affected by climate change. Education can address both issues.

    Asked by:
    Carolyn Eccleston
    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
    Would non-combat national service be good for all Australians?
    7+

    It always surprises me how few Australians have seen their country or met people from other parts of it. If we were compelled to make better connections with people from different backgrounds and situations, would we have a better understanding of Australian-ness?

    Asked by:
    Martha Crawford
    Share
    Why do humans tend to get more politically conservative as they get older? (Specifically, my dad).
    17+
    Asked by:
    @annette_v
    Share
    Is meditation good for everyone? Is there an alternative?
    2+

    I can’t bear meditation – am I the only one? It’s such a buzz-concept at the moment; others must be wondering too.

    Asked by:
    Catherine
    Share
    Does free will really exist?
    2+

    I’m asking because it is a question, after standstill discussions with peers — some for; some against — I cannot clarify to myself what I believe. To have this question answered would not only put my mind at ease, but influence how I see the world and go about my life.

    Asked by:
    Ryan Powell
    Share
    What are the differences between the mind, brain and consciousness … and how are they the same/connected/related?
    8+

    Because I wonder where ‘thought’ originates from and where our consciousness goes when we die. It matters because the greater awareness we have of ourselves the greater ability we have to improve ourselves.

    Asked by:
    danielle ryan
    Share
    Do artists have an obligation to show a social conscience?
    6+

    I have just finished a painting on the Myall Creek Massacre for the Blake Prize. Part of me feels like I should be advocating in my artist statement but I was not driven by advocacy when painting; I was driven by inquiry and emotional turbulence

    Asked by:
    @@artofchad
    Share
    How can liberals and conservatives find common ground towards genuine progress?
    10+

    I’m a recovering Catholic and apathetic atheist, classic Greens voter from a very conservative family. I’d like to know the answer so that we can all stop fighting.

    Asked by:
    @pintadoguy
    Share
    Why must we save the world? (Does the world want to be saved?)
    2+

    I wonder if throwing Enlightenment-style reason at every (and everyone’s) problem – climate change to genocide – isn’t arrogant, possibly delusional. It matters to me because of the helpless engendered by constant exhortations to help save the world. Maybe others feel the same?

    Asked by:
    Robyn Annear
    Share
    Why do we have 5 mins of sport at the end of news instead of 5 mins of arts/culture? How would this change our perception of the world?
    27+

    Not everyone is into sport. For some, their equivalent is the arts/culture or even the environment. Why are these things considered ‘features’ rather than staples of our news diet? I wonder how society would change if one or two newsrooms started this trend?

    Asked by:
    @bespokeshespoke
    Share
    Why are there so many more questions than answers?
    2+
    Asked by:
    @PatrAllington
    Share
    Why do we think working for a living is necessary?
    16+

    Most of us work because it facilitates us being paid, which affords us the ability to live. Some few people manage to pursue passions, vocations and the like. Others make different valuable contributions to society. What is necessary about working – is there a different model of enough where people can live well and contribute to a collective society without it being reduced to the *need* and *imperative* to have a job and be paid. What if there were other ways?

    Asked by:
    @transcendancing
    Share