I am quite interested in the metaphysics of physics and in particular time.

In the mid 1970’s I heard a bureaucrat [Bob Lansdowne] argue that social change came from shifts in compassion or compulsion-he was discussing our relationship with Indonesia and argued that compassion was in short supply. He was suggesting that huge disparities in income and wealth in an increasingly open and global environment were a recipe for instability and conflict–and that we should be afraid of the consequences of failing to address it. His concern is even more relevant today.

I’d love 10 hours, 100 minutes and 100 seconds in a day – scientists would love it. But could people cope with such a fundamental change to everyone’s (in the world!) lives?

Our society professes to be concerned about animal welfare but sanctions very different treatment of animals according to their perceived utility and the vested interests that benefit from their use. The law as it stands reflects this contradiction. As a result millions of animals suffer routinely, whether it be for live export, domestic agricultural use, feral animal control, research or entertainment purposes. Not even companion animals are immune from suffering; treated as disposable property and with little or no restriction on their breeding and sale, hundreds of thousands are euthanased every year in Australia. All of this is both inhumane and dishonest. Either we believe in the humane treatment of animals or we don’t. If the latter, let’s be honest about it; if the former, we need significant legal change. A good start would be the creation of independent statutory bodies to administer and enforce animal welfare laws instead of the current primary industries departments with their conflicts of interest.

Knowing ourselves seems to be the foundation for everything. It is important to question, and be critical of the thoughts, actions and beliefs that resonate with us. Such contemplation is crucial to continual self-development and sanity. Thus, madness can be partly seen as obliviousness, or in history it was highlighted as forgetting. If we forgot what had made us happy, are we mad?

To me that is the fundamental question which humanity has too ask itself, and, depending on the answer, ask many more about our role in the world and our responsibilities, to the rest of humanity and the all that makes up the world as we know it.

I ask this question because I genuinely ponder over it daily. We are on this constant hunt for self reflection and improvement but really whats the point? We are only around for 80 years or so, why does it matter if we are the best we can be? Why don’t we spend our time attempting to improve the lives of others instead?

There are less people in poverty now than ever before in history, however the gap in between those at the top and those at the bottom continues to grow. We are all citizens of the globe, so what should we be aiming for, to ensure equity between us all?

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?

It seems as though more and more of us live a life of conformity and order, and few now life a live of ‘being wild’; of throwing caution to the wind; of taking a chance to follow their dream; to embark on an adventure. What is this doing to our evolution as a species? Where will humanity be in a hundred, a thousand years if we give up ‘being wild’ because our fears prevent us foresaking the safe places?

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