Author: David Boyd

Humanity’s Best Days Lie Ahead

Home >Blog >Munk debatePublished on: Sunday, 08 November, 2015Munk Debate, Toronto, 6 November 2105I took part in a Munk debate on 6 November, in which Steven Pinker and I argued that "humanity's best days lie ahead" while Malcolm Gladwell and Alain de Botton argued against us. It was entertaining and we shifted the audience our way a little, … Continue reading Humanity’s Best Days Lie Ahead →

Boyer Lecture 4-Michael Fullilove

Like many Australians I have often thought we should not take ourselves too seriously and be careful not to make fools of ourselves by suggesting we are more important than we really are. In the opening to his fourth lecture Michael Fullilove suggests otherwise:-It is often said that Australia is a middle power. But there … Continue reading Boyer Lecture 4-Michael Fullilove →

Podcasts/Boyer Lectures/ Michael Fullilove/and Global Warming

In my vain attempts to retain a semblance of fitness I walk a 3.2km repetitive route march around our immediate neighborhood each morning.I occupy the mind listening to podcasts mainly from that left wing Radio National station of the ABC.A year or more  ago I was listening to what Gerard Henderson says is the only … Continue reading Podcasts/Boyer Lectures/ Michael Fullilove/and Global Warming →

Brendan O’Neill Nail’s It

Lesson for Tony Abbott: think like an elite or quit public lifeBRENDAN O’NEILLTHE AUSTRALIANSEPTEMBER 19, 2015 12:00AMPrintSave for later122Whenever a party topples its leader, our first instinct is to go looking for the knife-wielders.Who plotted this? Who landed the first blow? Who played the Brutus role, siding with the ousters despite being mates with the doomed … Continue reading Brendan O’Neill Nail’s It →

The Renewable Energy Dilemma

Renewable energy claims are unsustainableRenewables also hurt the poor through higher pricesSeptember 9, 2015 by Larry BellWhereas “renewable energy” conjures up visions of wind, solar, and tidal power, “clean” energy sources that will last forever to power the world into a “green,” sustainable future, it won’t happen without an Orwellian restructuring of the world’s social and economic … Continue reading The Renewable Energy Dilemma →

Cheer Up: The True Mother Of Invention Is Optimism

Cheer Up: The True Mother Of Invention Is OptimismThe Sunday Times, 6 September 2015Luke JohnsonAlways remember that throughout history the pioneers have been exalted, while the doomsayers are forgotten.IT IS easy to fall into a slump at this time of year. Returning to rain, darker evenings and the daily grind after a summer holiday in … Continue reading Cheer Up: The True Mother Of Invention Is Optimism →

Submission to the Select Senate Committee on the Murray Darling BasinPlan

From the time that the Howard Government, in an attempt to garner "green" votes, decided to throw $10bn at the Murray Darling Basin, the management of the Basin has been a political football. This vote chasing initiative arose as the great Millennium Drought was biting hard and water shortages, the natural consequences of drought, were being erroneously blamed on … Continue reading Submission to the Select Senate Committee on the Murray Darling BasinPlan →

The Indulgent Cricket Tragic Tries Again – 2015

(I should warn the casual reader that the following is written for my family, particularly grandchildren, so you may find it bores the pants off you!) I have only attended two England/Australia Test Matches at Lord's-the last two which England have won. These are the only occasions Australia has lost in the last 80 years! … Continue reading The Indulgent Cricket Tragic Tries Again – 2015 →