STREAM
IQ2 Debate

DATE & TIME
28 OCTOBER 2017

LOCATION
SYDNEY TOWN HALL

Is the world getting worse?

Have we created the very problems we’re suffering from?

It’s been a wild ride recently. Political instability, terrorism, water insecurity, refugee crises, climate change, tech and AI…thinking about the future can make you feel optimistic or hopeless. On the 28th of October, we asked – who’s to blame?

From our politics to the very resources we rely on, we haven’t yet found a balance between our needs and wants, and the things that sustain them. Thinking about the future can make you feel optimistic or hopeless. Who knows what it holds?

Our experts took the stage to explore our new era. Growing and changing population, economic failings and headwinds, automation of jobs, changes to our environments and remixing of the biodiversity on our planet. We are unsure of our resources, whether its land, energy, food or water and we keep on designing technology that may ultimately replace us.

Perhaps we’re designing our own end. Or maybe we’re in the messy process of future-proofing humanity. Find out what our expert debaters had to say.

Catch up

Missed out on tickets? You can catch up on all the action right here. Hit play below.

Speakers

Clive Hamilton

Is a professor of Public Ethics at Charles Sturt Universities Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics. He published the best selling and highly controversial book Silent Invasion: China’s Influence in Australia. 

Kristin Alford

Is a futurist and research communicator. The Director of MOD, Australia’s leading future-focused museum at the University of South Australia she is also the host of TedX Adelaide.

Signe Dean

is a science and health journalist. Her articles have appeared leading titles including Australian Geographic, National Geographic, Science Alert, The Scientist and the New Philosopher.

Toby Walsh

is a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of New South Wales and Data61. He has served as Scientific Director of NICTA, Australia’s centre of excellence for ICT research.

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Who is it for?


  • THE DIPLOMAT
  • THE FUTURIST
  • THE JOURNALIST
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What you'll take away


  • 01AN OPTIMIST’S AND PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO THE FUTURE
  • 02HOPE - IN SPITE OF HOW SHORT A HUMAN LIFE IS
  • 03JUST HOW MUCH CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED
  • 04JUST HOW SCARY THE WHEEL OF TIME IS
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Things to think about