Disconnected ...

This looks like a fascinating book; its about declining community engagement in Australia. Robert Putnam wrote a similar book called Bowling Alone, about the same trend in America.

Faith and morality ..

Here's a few pieces from the Guardian on Faith and Morality, without God.  With faith, I actually think its the object of your faith which is the issue, I'd argue that everyone believes something. Be it in the truth of the gospel or that religion is dangerous, or that they just aren't sure.

Thought that these were interesting responses to the questions, and revealing how those of "secular" faith respond to these questions.

Faith in decline in the UK ...

A UK survey, suggests that God is disappearing, here's the article and three responses.

• 'Indifference' may be church's best hope.
• Christianity in France is fading.
• Better to be hated for the right reasons than ignored.

turning the page

We visited the library last weekend, and a got a few books to keep me going. I borrowed Nice Work by Jana Wendt.  For the book Jana interviewed a series of people about the work they do, including a Catholic Priest, a boxer, a forensic scientist, the CEO of a major cruise company, volunteers (at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum), and a few others. Its a fascinating account of how people think about the work they do. [read more], next in the list is another of Malcolm Gladwell's books The Outliers, which sounds fascinating.

While we were in library I placed holds on Half the Sky (read more here), and Committed, (the sequel to Eat, Pray, Love) -  , which also sounds quite interesting.  Speaking about Eat, Pray, Love, I saw the film last weekend, it was beautifully shot (in Italy, India, and Indonesia). It was quite an enjoyable film, and at the same time it did have a message in it too. 

Hope to go and see The Social Network next... 

more dangerous ideas

Over the long weekend, Sydney hosted the (I think, second) Festival of Dangerous Ideas ...  not to be out done, SMH columnist Richard Glover offers some more dangerous ideas for us to ponder.

• The bad public transport in Sydney is not the fault of the NSW government
• Wikipedia is accurate
• Most of the ways Australians describe themselves are not true
• Books are great but . . .
• We don't mind the ads on TV
• Mainstream media is not dead
• Parking meters are a good thing
• Personal privacy is overrated
• Plastic bags are not so bad

He's got a point with a few of them. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the talks from the Festival on ABC's Big Ideas (given how enjoyable the Q&A episode was).

Sunday morning shorts..

On Music 

For those like me who have been missing The Frames, here's a link to their recent set at the Electric Picnic in Ireland.

Belle and Sebestian have a new album out this week - Write about love - have a quick listen here. (Thanks NPR).

I listened to the new album by Hillsong (Beautiful Exchange) this week -- and really love this song "Like Incense/Sometimes by Step". Not just because Brooke Fraser Ligertwood sings on it, but it also features the Rich Mullins song - Sometimes by Step, which is just such a beautiful song.

On writing

I'm sure I've written about this before, but I feel like I need to pick up a pen, and write a letter ... Has anyone seen the collected emails or tweets of Jo or Joanne up for sale?

On "Noise and our communication age"

Here's an article by Kate Crawford (based at UNSW) on "listening to networks". She's part the way through a fascinating project looking at the uses of social media ... (listen to her talk about the project here).