I was almost excited when I heard that the Sydney Opera House would be hosting a
Festival of Dangerous Ideas. (October 3-4 2009) Some of the ideas to be discussed include 'Religion Poisons Everything', 'People with Flat Screen TV's Should Stop Whingeing About Capitalism' and a debate 'Democracy Is Not for Everyone'. Being an atheist, rationalist, sort-of-socialist and free market capitalist I already accept a world without god. I see the tangible benefits of capitalism and the short falls of democracy. If these ideas are dangerous then so am I!
The Festival of Dangerous Ideas started me thinking about attending the sessions that reinforce my world view. Of course I'll feel good about myself and superior to the majority of people. What's the point in that? I wouldn't really learn anything. Sure, there is a session by Cardinal George Pell 'Without Religion We Are Nothing'. I'm quite sure I will disagree with his hypothesis. I know, whatever he says I'm not going to change my mind about god. As far as I'm concerned god is well and truly dead. Look, I haven't got time to read Richard Dawkins. I made up my mind about this many years back and I'm not going to revisit it. I certainly don't want to preech my world view. You can believe in whatever you want. I'm not writing this blog to change your mind you know. But it did start me thinking. I do have a world view. What is it. What do I actually believe in?
Here we go. I reserve the right to add or retract some of these ideas as ill-conceived at any time in the future, based on the benefit of hind-sight or enlightenment. In no particular order, here is a quick list;
Market driven capitalism is the best way to change society.Capitalism can help us take practical steps to address climate change and other big-issues like getting rid of poverty: where it has made tremendous steps over the last 200 years. Yes it has. Consumers just need to play the game a bit smarter to get the outcomes they want.
Corporations are dumb. They will respond to market demand.You buy water in plastic bottles that's what they'll sell you. You buy solar panels that's what they'll sell you. I'm saying to the Gen Y G20 protestors, it's not the government or corporations fault. It's your fault.
Democrarcy. Sounds good in theory but in practice...Unfortunately we only have defacto democracies. Real democracy would see no parliamentary debates, parliaments disolved, all decisions (even minor ones) made by citizens digital referendums and outcomes implemented by non-arguing government departments of managers. That's real democracy. In the mean time we live in denial.
Violently forcing democracy on the rest of the world is not a good thing to do (and trade sanctions are a form of violence against poor people in my opinion).
Pacifism where possible. Diplomacy is the best way to change peoples minds.
Defence budgets should be for defence not attack.
(You'll probably start to build a picture that I'm still harbouring a grudge about Australia's defence budget being used to invade Iraq without a peoples-digital-referendum to give the go ahead). You'd be right.
I'd like to see some advocacy for atheism that isn't so anti-religion.
Like I already know there isn't a god. Stop arguing with religious people about it. It's doubtful they will change their minds. And I don't care if they do. Let them stay in Plato's cave for all I care. Let's get on with the job of living a positive atheism. Atheists should spruik humanities great achievements: umm, mainly this list of achievements boils down to science (and reason).
Religion could be a powerful force for societal change.I know it's hard to believe but apparently most of the worlds population are religious. Especially in third world countries. How about religious leaders getting their followers to stop using plastic bags and fish all the plastic bottles out of the ocean. For example. Or maybe some groups could give up eating tuna as well as pork? It's gods will you know.
And the most dangerous idea of all? There is no such thing as Mac or PC. Mac is just a brand of PC.
This is the outstanding retail store in Singapore design-wise. According to Judy "Its minimalist walls house drawers which look like bars of chocolate. Incidentally, it is a chocolate shop. Apart from edible chocolate, they also sell note pads which look like bars of chocolate". 
