Modern day living values universal individual freedom and rights. This has helped open the doors to many great things like individual reproductive choices, same sex marriage and a focus on tackling discrimination against immutable characteristics.

But what are the trade-offs?

I have this growing feeling that we no longer have communities, at least not ones that are robust, intergenerational and will last the test of time. By valuing the successes of individuals, by judging the success of countries based on GDP, the value of families, connected communities and strong relationships are lost in the calculation.

We are living in strange times where much of the conversation is on what divides us, not on what unites us. We are stronger and more productive as a united community if we have shared goals, values and visions.

To talk more about economics, productivity and the social contract, on this episode we have ex-Productivity Commissioner and long time economist Ganesh Nana.

When we talk about health, education, housing, and environment, it is time we take a long-term, intergenerational approach. In times of widespread nihilism about the future, now, more than ever we need hope. We need hope that things will improve and we need action to make it happen.