Open House Interviews

Is life a commodity we can simply dispose of? There were many who celebrated when 104 year old academic chose to end his life in a Swiss euthanasia clinic. Should we be celebrating a death from euthanasia?

Australians find it hard to understand the depth of racism in America. Dr David Smith from the Us Studies Centre and the University of Sydney explained to Open House the deep significance of the arrest of two black men at a Starbucks just for being on the premises and the horrible true meaning of comparing people of colour to apes.

Recently Australia's environment ministers met to literally talk rubbish. It would be funny if the situation were not so dire. Australia is facing a rubbish and recycling crisis of enormous proportions. Our addiction to a throwaway culture is catching up with us and we need to take action.

As we move to higher density city living parks and other public spaces take on a new importance. Welcome to the era of smart street furniture that tells council the bin needs emptying or the park seat needs a clean. Soon you could be taking your electric kettle down to make a cuppa or charging your device on a smart pole. Planners can even get feedback telling them the facilities are poorly located and need to be moved into a sunnier or less windy position.

Bishop Michael Curry, famous for preaching at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, has joined forces with a diverse collection of Christian leaders to launch a Jesus-centred campaign of love. It's the “Reclaiming Jesus” campaign, and it's pushing back against divisive American politics.

A world with human cloning could lead to an underclass of slaves, made for the benefit of the elite. If that day comes, Christians will carry the mandate to restore their dignity, says Andy Crouch.

First times are important. We mark a child's first tooth, first step and first day of school. University and me introduces a young man, Garrick Lyte-Mason, who is experiencing university for the first time. A personable and enthusiastic young man, Garrick attended a Christian school. At university he is moving away from the structured regime of what, when and how to study of his school days. Garrick is also meeting the challenge of asserting his identity as a Christian in a secular environment.

We need to acknowledge everyone has bias and be aware of those pre-conditioned responses that help us negotiate life and define who we are. In fact, we can't do without them - it is basic to who we are and how we think and interact. Some people become so one eyed that they can't even consider different views. Dr Martijn Van der Kamp of Monash University says "Because we hold them so close, we feel an emotional or negative response. We have automatic judgements that devalue people who hold opposite views."

The Bible is becoming an 'Invisible Book' for many young Australians. The Bible Society are urging students to understand the role the Bible had in creating the culture they live in and the books they study at school. They are offering a great prize to students who upload the most popular short video explaining the biblical references hidden some of Shakespeare's plays.

Anglicare's Susan King says people on New Start simply can't live on $39 per day. Nicholas Gruen CEO of Lateral economics explains that the current link between infrastructure spending and politics s is not the best way to decide spending priorities.