Straining the Social Contract

George Megalogenis is an award winning author and journalist with more than decades’ experience in media. He is the author of six books, four Quarterly Essays and the writer and presenter of two ABC documentaries. His latest book is Three Shocks, Who We Are Becoming in the 21st Century.

Lucinda Holdforth is the author of four books examining what makes good societies flourish. While working as a speech writer and adviser to senior leaders across government and business, she has written with wit and insight about the women who shaped the culture of Paris, the enduring value of manners, the language of democratic leadership and, most recently, the downside of modern virtues in 21st-Century Virtues: How They Are Failing Our Democracy (2023). Her books are lively provocations – wake-up calls – to think more clearly about the forces and conditions that make for a civilized world.

Jessy Wu is a writer and entrepreneur based in Sydney. She is the founder and Managing Director of Encour, a communications and video production agency that specialises in the tech sector. Previously, she was a venture capital investor in early-stage tech startups. Good Intentions is her debut novel.

Ellen Fanning is an ABC broadcaster and journalist. She presents the Drive program on 612 ABC Radio Brisbane.