People who load the toilet roll under/behind style are monsters. How do they sleep at night? HOW?
Because hotels and sensible humans all over the world only load it forward.
Asked by:Should we bring back conscription?
Some countries use a year of compulsory military service as a rite of passage for young adults. Looking at our 18 year olds today, some might say we need to bring in this kind of enforced ‘gap year’ for the good of the individual and of our whole society. And of course, it would strengthen the country militarily to have a national service corps. But at what cost? Would this be worth it?
In the interests of a non-environmentally disastrous future, how do we rapidly and equitably transition to a (much) lower population world?
Because this is one of the root environmental problems we face. My grandmother was born into a world with 75% fewer people and this seemingly unstoppable growth undermines all of the good we do. If we halve consumption and double the world’s population, we have achieved nothing, but forced sterilisation is obviously completely unacceptable, as is the total freedom to have 9 children if you feel like it. You should care because at the moment the future does not look like now with more electric cars; you should more picture 40m people in rags foraging in a gravel car park the size South Australia for 27 potatotes.
How can we foster a culture of respectful, critical, fruitful conversation on important social issues where we feel strongly and disagree?
Public discourse on politically contested matters—like climate change, refugees, distribution of resources, etc.—seems to be at a low ebb. We need to find ways to address these issues constructively if we are to have any hope of meeting the challenges of the coming years. But how can we be a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem?
Asked by:Who decided what is ‘masculine’ and what is ‘feminine’ and will we ever be able to deconstruct the gender binary?
We’re pushing for gender equality, but will it ever be achieved if we don’t remove the damaging labels and restrictions the gender binary holds in place? Where do transgender, agender and gender fluid individuals fit in?
Asked by:Does science fiction give us an unrealistic expectation that we can effectively inhabit Mars?
The recent discovery of water on Mars has brought into perspective that a manned mission may contaminate the results of any discovery of life. Perchlorates and cosmic radiation are still barriers to a lengthy mission. Is it more important to have realistic expectations of Mars or a vision of solving problems to which we do not yet have answers?
Why are there so many more questions than answers?
Asked by:Why have we allowed the most mediocre of Western knowledge and culture to colonise us, instead of the wisdom of indigenous cultures?
It seems a no-brainer not to stand on the shoulders of giants, and in my humble opinion there is much we could still learn from indigenous cultures of the world.
Asked by:How can we change governments to plan for the future (educationally and economically), not just the next election? Who gets this right?
Infrastructure of all kinds (energy, transport) city planning, education and training (tafe especially) and job market changes seem to catch Australian governments asleep at the wheel. We seem to be responding to change, not preparing for it
Asked by:Should “Go Set a Watchman” have been published?
I am perturbed by the conflicting stories around whether Harper Lee actually consented to publication. And that plays with a bigger question in my mind about artist’s legacies and what happens to their unpublished or unreleased work posthumously.
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