Dangerous Realities: Dr Simon Longstaff

The world has changed. The dangers are HERE. The time to act has almost passed. To survive, we must ADAPT. Go beyond the hype. Interrogate HOW we got to this point, and where we WANT to go next. We need to face REALITY. Examine the TRUTH – as individuals and as a society. The world we are making and unmaking, is a reflection of ourselves. Decide if we like what we see. Arm ourselves with information. WAKE UP

Simon Longstaff's mother was forced to reckon with a terrible choice when she was pregnant with her last baby. 

Her decision had a huge impact on her four children, especially Simon, the eldest.

Simon grew up with a lot of responsibility in the family, and spent his school holidays on a property in Western Queensland.

His first job was as a cleaner on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

ABC Conversations: Richard Fidler - The ethics of everything: Simon Longstaff

Avoiding ethical blindness

Ethics Centre: Human Experience Is Complex 

Dr Simon Longstaff: 3 May 2020 -

ABC radio: Simon Marnie special with Simon Longstaff on COVID-19 and how society copes during crisis

Introducing ‘Ask The Ethicist’. First up: what about the teachers?

Ethically, do teachers have a responsibility to educate students face-to-face during the crisis? We ask an ethicist.

Ask the Ethicist

No longer ideas, we're living dangerous realities, says festival director

Executive director of The Ethics Centre and festival co-founder, Simon Longstaff said: "The world we are making is a reflection of ourselves. The Festival of Dangerous Ideas offers us the chance to look reality in the face and decide if we like what we see."

FODI runs April 3-5 2020 at Sydney Town Hall.


Dr Simon Longstaff: Arrogant and Controlling: Cultural review


Dr Simon Longstaff - Invoking Moral Courage Virtue Speaking Truth to Power



To die for one’s people is a great sacrifice. To live for one’s people, an even greater sacrifice. I choose to live for my people.
— Riyo Chuchi