(Image: Tom Red/Private Media)

Isaac Newton’s third law states that for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is universal and applies just as much to thought leadership gatherings as apple orchards. 

Which brings us neatly to the Festival of Mediocre Ideas (FOMI) — a bespoke gathering of Australia’s less pretentious thinkers. Pitched as a downmarket alternative to Sydney’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas and Antidote, it has modest, suburban aims. 

Unburdened by the erudition, discipline and polo neck jumpers that plague other think-a-thons, FOMI holds up a mirror to our national torpor, self-satisfaction and incuriousness and says: it could always be worse. 

Crikey satirist Tom Red has purloined a copy of this year’s program.

What if the Price was right?

Join us for a ringside seat as plucky Steve Price delivers a fascinating three-hour long monologue on how and why he’s fighting back against the dark forces of cancel culture. Armed only with a syndicated newspaper column, a daily radio program, regular TV panel appearances and his social media presence, Steve has taken on heavyweight opponents on Twitter including @TreatyNow23, @TaxTheRich44 and @PaleMaleFail_76. 

Pub test test case

The five-second rule, the pub test, the in-off-the-black rule, “safe”, “shotgun” and “spotto”: why do states and territories all have slightly different takes on these crucial Australian customs and practices? In this challenging and provocative session, we explore the complexities of codifying and harmonising national rules in a global world, particularly with China on the rise. Inevitably, Stan Grant will be hosting a panel of experts, some of whom may even get a say.

The case for artificial stupidity

Right now, artificial intelligence (AI) is radically transforming the way we live, work, play, consume and relax. Like the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, the printing press and late-night shopping, these new paradigms throw up all sorts of questions for society.

In the past, society’s great leaps forward were tempered by the indifference and ignorance of the general population — what anthropologists called the handbrake effect. But with AI existing exclusively online, its development is unchallenged by humanity’s implacable bone-headedness. Does humanity need to develop Artificial Stupidity Science to balance the unchecked progress of AI? Prue MacSween will lead a unique onstage “paint and sip” event featuring a bevy of Sky after dark presenters. Audience members get to vote for their favourite painting. 

Gone to the dogs

Only a few generations ago, the family dog lived outside, ate scraps and never, ever needed therapy. “Dog parks” were called “parks” and contained hundreds of dry white turds. Today it’s all industrialised schnoodles, whoodles and bernedoodles called Phoebe, Max and Dogzilla. This session poses a difficult question — has the genetic cleansing of “man’s best friends” gone too far? Is it time to bring back the bitsers, muster the mutts and marshal the mongrels?  Tim Wilson, a proud dog lover and former MP with time on his hands, will adjudicate a panel of owners and breeders as they compete for victory, “best in show” style.