ITP-3 Topic: Life Ain't Fair

Australia has a kind of unofficial ideology of “giving everyone a fair go”. How has this played out in practice?

ABOUT ADELAIDE INTERESTING TOPICS GROUP

VENUE: The Hub (entrance level), Adelaide University, every second Friday afternoon from 5 to 6:30 pm. (The Hub is open to the public until 7pm weekdays).

FIND US: Look for a furry animal toy on the table in The Hub, Adelaide University. The Hub is about 100 metres inside the main university entrance (next to the Art Gallery), on the right hand side, off North Terrace.

NOTE: We will probably be at an inside table to the right of The Hub entrance. If the entrance level tables at The Hub are busy, we may have to hunt for a table. If you can’t see us, ring Thor on 0479 154 831.

For the Google Meet ONLINE version of this meetup, click “going” (not just “interested”) and you should see a link. If not, mail me at thormay@yahoo.com and I will send you a link.

TOPICS: Each time there is a different topic with 10 talking points to help with ideas. It’s not a lecture, it’s a discussion.

For details on each topic see the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/497784706090301. [On alternate Fridays there is also a live conversation group pitched to people who speak English as a second language : see https://www.facebook.com/groups/1678127882281980 ]

The ORGANIZER: Thor May, thormay@yahoo.com; https://independent.academia.edu/ThoroldThorMay

Thor does this as an interest project. He is happy for people to disagree with his views. He is not posing as an expert on the topics. Since 1976 Thor has taught English Language and Linguistics to adults in 7 countries. He has had over 40 jobs, from dockyard labourer to university lecturer. His PhD is on barriers to teaching productivity. His hobbies are exploring ideas, keeping fit and hopelessly trying to learn some Mandarin Chinese.

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ITP-3 Life Ain’t Fair 20 & 24 February 2026

Talking Points

1. Australia has a kind of unofficial ideology of “giving everyone a fair go”. How has this played out in practice?
2. Putting “should” aside, what (in your view) are the mechanics of getting a fair chance in life? [I suggest you also put this question to an LLM like Google Gemini, which has quite a lot to say about it]
3. The US Declaration of Independence (1776) contains a lie: “All men are created equal” (though I guess for us “men” is meant to include women too). Clearly all people are not born equal. What are some of the differences, and what should, or can, we do about it? [Note: In the context of 1776 Thomas Jefferson was actually protesting against British colonialism]
4. I have missed many chances in my life. What are some of the chances you have missed? Any regrets?
5. Ideologies and religions seem to have a problem with what they say is, or should be, fair. (Well, according to my values they seem to have a problem). What is your view about this?
6. What would the human world look like if life was fair for everyone? Would everyone be happy with this situation?
7. Looking around Australia (or choose any country) what do you find most unfair?
8. Some people, regardless of formal intelligence, seem incapable for organizing a more or less successful life for themselves. What is the fairest way to treat such folk?
9. Why do children often find adults unfair (and say so)? Does this say something about adults too?
10. Some countries have “second chance” laws. For example, there might be regulations to help people who have been in prison to re-start their lives in a better way. “Second chance” laws often attract strong political opposition. Why is this?
    
    Extra Viewing & Reading
    
    Emily Levine (2019) “How I made friends with reality” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARb2UfDgSHQ
    
    The Growth Paradox (1 Jun 2025) “Life is not fair” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkd4sehygc0 [15 min. motivational speech]Q+A abcqanda (2 Sept 2022) “Is Australia Still the Land of the ‘Fair Go’?” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSEyPWFFHrk
    
    David Pocock (2025) “7,000 people waiting for Australia to give them a fair go” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=554fpM4JDwo
    
    Guardian Australia (2000) “Fair go? Gavin Ritchie on living on ‘next to nothing’” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ft_WzF8v-kCinemaClips (2025) " LINCOLN - “Are All Men Equal?” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W9-yT5AfBs
    
    Benjamin McCray (6 October 2015) “Missed Opportunities… Opportunities don’t go away, they simply go to the next person” @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2codHNAoT10 [3 minutes]