The new year finds the political world even more turbulent than it was last year, so it is time to come together again in rational and compassionate debate to inform, distract and entertain ourselves!

To that end we have managed to seek out and obtain positive responses (and some firm undertakings) from a line of challenging thinkers to address our monthly (or bi-monthly!) meetings over the coming months.

• Starting with April 9, we have our local prolific academic writer and social justice advocate, Richard Hil, talking about themes of systems collapse, moral crisis and civic renewal as discussed in his upcoming book – Unspeakable: Facing up to climate collapse and its consequences in Australia.
• On June 11 – Al Percival – local dramatist, and regular attendee of Philo Café with a long career in the IT industry, wants to share his ideas about the fascinating world of AI. He is considering the topic “Can AI ever be conscious?” looking at the arguments for and against AI ever developing consciousness and the implications this has for us.
• We have possibilities for July and August not yet confirmed.
• But for the 23rd September (a Wednesday) – thanks to Alison Crook – we have managed to ‘lock in’ Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, co-founder of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and named one of the True Leaders of the 21st century. I’m sure he will stimulate us with his ideas about how to ‘stop, connect and to explore the ethical centre of personal and public life’.