Are periodic bouts of withdrawal from life’s urgent demands and heated debates necessary to regain a sense of our shared humanity, and to renew the commitments that sustain the moral life?

Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens and philosopher Stephanie Collins field questions from a live studio audience on crowd-behaviour, conformity and the importance of dissent.

Stephanie Collins, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, dives deep into the complexities of crowd wisdom versus individual expertise. She explores how collective decision-making can yield better outcomes, challenging historical doubts from thinkers like Plato. The discussion also navigates the delicate balance between democratic representation and expert guidance, especially in crisis situations like climate change. Additionally, Collins emphasizes the importance of civil society in bridging communication amidst divisiveness, encouraging a thoughtful approach to governance.

Exploring the concept of evil in various contexts, delving into the complexities of labeling actions or individuals as 'evil'. Discussing the implications of moral responsibility and judgment, questioning the essence of evil and examining extreme cruelty. Examining the banality of evil in real-world atrocities and fiction, through the lens of Hannah Arendt's views on categorizing evil.

Delving into the emotional pull of live music events, the podcast explores the intense experiences at concerts by artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. The magic of live music is dissected, highlighting the unique connection between performers and audience members. The dynamics of audience engagement are compared to sports and comedy performances, revealing the gratitude and obedience that shape the concert experience.

The podcast explores the rising concerns surrounding deepfakes and their impact on democracy, examining the ethical complexities, misogyny, propaganda, and personal harm caused by manipulated media. They discuss the multifaceted nature of deep fakes, focusing on the unique harm caused by deception through images or videos, and the implications on trust, truth, and societal cohesion.

Jedediah Purdy discusses the necessary conditions for democratic life in a time of pervasive suspicion. Topics include the challenges of trust, navigating suspicion in modern society, the politics of resentment, love and democracy, complexities of democratic contests, and media's role in shaping political narratives.

Ours is a time when institutional distrust, digital disinformation and mutual suspicion have become pervasive — but can democracy withstand epistemic and social fragmentation of this kind?

Professor Maryanne Wolf discusses the threat to literacy in a screen-saturated age, emphasizing the importance of deep reading for moral understanding. The conversation explores the connection between literacy, knowledge, and morality in literature and pop music, highlighting the transformative power of engaging deeply with texts. The value of being stopped in your tracks by literature and art is emphasized, advocating for intentional reading practices to nurture attention in a digital world.

The podcast explores the modern terror of boredom and its potential deeper meaning. It discusses how boredom fosters creativity, introspection, and appreciation of moments without external stimuli. The conversation delves into the various forms and implications of boredom, highlighting the struggle for presence in a distracted age and the value of embracing boredom for meaningful experiences. It also emphasizes the importance of being present to foster genuine relationships and explores the concept of unselfing in a technological world.