The quest for a life worth living has been the business of philosophers for millennia. How can we pursue answers to life’s big questions in a world that feels increasingly dangerous and unstable thanks to big tech and AI?

Unpack the ‘how’ in this unmissable episode from the pre-eminent philosopher A.C. Grayling.

This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

The quest for a life worth living has been the business of philosophers for millennia. How can we pursue answers to life’s big questions in a world that feels increasingly dangerous and unstable thanks to big tech and AI?
Unpack the ‘how’ in this unmissable episode from the pre-eminent philosopher A.C. Grayling.
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:  Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a>  Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of writing and ideas.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more.

A.C. Grayling: The Meaning of Life in a Technological Age

Join Richard Flanagan as he discusses this hypnotic, genre-defying new book which entwines memoir, biography, autofiction and history through a daisy chain of stories both intimate and collective.

Opening with his father as a prisoner of war, the book leads readers through a literary love affair into nuclear physics of the 1930s and 40s and finally towards a young Richard fighting for his life in Tasmanian river rapids in a rumination on life’s choices and their intergenerational chain reactions. Richard speaks with Kerry O’Brien.

This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Join Richard Flanagan as he discusses this hypnotic, genre-defying new book which entwines memoir, biography, autofiction and history through a daisy chain of stories both intimate and collective.
Opening with his father as a prisoner of war, the book leads readers through a literary love affair into nuclear physics of the 1930s and 40s and finally towards a young Richard fighting for his life in Tasmanian river rapids in a rumination on life’s choices and their intergenerational chain reactions. Richard speaks with Kerry O’Brien.
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:  Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a>  Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

Richard Flanagan: Question 7

Social change is driven by conversation, in sharing ideas, and translating those ideas for audiences who don’t agree or understand what is at stake.

For many First Nations writers and journalists, this has been a huge priority over the last year, in particular, and one that comes with a cost. In a conversation with legendary truth-tellers, find out what sustains them to keep on going in the face of profound challenges. With Larissa Behrendt, Tony Birch, Narelda Jacobs and Amy Thunig.

This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Social change is driven by conversation, in sharing ideas, and translating those ideas for audiences who don’t agree or understand what is at stake.
For many First Nations writers and journalists, this has been a huge priority over the last year, in particular, and one that comes with a cost. In a conversation with legendary truth-tellers, find out what sustains them to keep on going in the face of profound challenges. With Larissa Behrendt, Tony Birch, Narelda Jacobs and Amy Thunig.
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:  Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a>  Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>  TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

Survival, Sustenance and Stories

Anti-fatness is a system of oppression, argues Kate Manne, afflicting vulnerable bodies in intersectional ways.

Building on her incisive studies of misogyny and male privilege, the Melbourne-born feminist philosopher’s latest book, Unshrinking: How to Fight Fatphobia, unpicks the dangerous virtues associated with dieting and deprivation, using a blend of first-hand stories and trenchant analysis. 

Praised by US writer Roxane Gay as “required reading”, this timely intervention calls for a radical re-evaluation of who our bodies exist for –  ourselves and no one else.

Learn from an acclaimed, accessible new voice in moral philosophy, in conversation with host Maeve Marsden.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Anti-fatness is a system of oppression, argues Kate Manne, afflicting vulnerable bodies in intersectional ways.
Building on her incisive studies of misogyny and male privilege, the Melbourne-born feminist philosopher’s latest book, Unshrinking: How to Fight Fatphobia, unpicks the dangerous virtues associated with dieting and deprivation, using a blend of first-hand stories and trenchant analysis. 
Praised by US writer Roxane Gay as “required reading”, this timely intervention calls for a radical re-evaluation of who our bodies exist for –  ourselves and no one else.
Learn from an acclaimed, accessible new voice in moral philosophy, in conversation with host Maeve Marsden.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

A.C. Grayling: The Meaning of Life in a Technological Age

In 1 playlist(s)

Sydney Writers' Festival

Social links

Recent clips