Although I was raised as a strict Irish-style Roman Catholic, after many years of deep thought, I am now an atheist, humanist, rationalist and sceptic, and have come to the conclusion that this is the most important unanswered philosophical question. I do not believe there is any need to postulate a creator, because belief in a creator god leads to the obvious next questions of who or what made god, and who or what made who or what made god, and so on indefinitely.

Find out if the food admin & the drug admin have correlated their ‘facts’ on PG. What ‘safe’ means, when talking about this petroleum-based substance: PG is a preservative in nearly all over food, drinks, self-care products, medicines…

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The sheer number of culturally diverse members of our community who show up to anti-Islam and anti-migration rallies flies in the face of the notion that such movements are only supported by those identifying as Anglo Australian.

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?

Answers are almost always too safe.

Democracy cannot thrive without transparency. Secrecy undermines grass roots participation in affairs that directly affect them.

What makes for a more fulfilling life?

Most of today’s global problems originate in the competitive foundation of the current economic, political paradigm. We will never realise humanity’s highest goals unless we learn to start from a different place in thinking about the “system” we live within.

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?

The current political system is under pressure around the world. High levels of community distrust, eroding of 2 party systems & decreasing membership, rise of extreme groups, loss of national sovereignty, impact of global corporations.