The arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but not without a whole lot of committed individuals doggedly banging on about it. Even when no one's listening, even when it's boring, even when it takes years or even lifetimes. So in this time of division and fracture, when hearts and minds seem out of reach, is there still value in preaching to the like-minded?

The 2026 Sheila Drummond Memorial Lecture was recorded at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival on 6 June 2026.

Speakers:

David Marr
Present Late Night Live, ABC Radio National
Author, Killing for Country: A Family Story, Patrick White. A Life, Political Animal: The Making of Tony Abbott (Quarterly Essay) and more

Big Ideas

ABC Australia

David Marr on preaching to the converted

JUN 29, 202655 MIN
Big Ideas

David Marr on preaching to the converted

JUN 29, 202655 MIN

Description

<p>The arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but not without a whole lot of committed individuals doggedly banging on about it. Even when no one's listening, even when it's boring, even when it takes years or even lifetimes. So in this time of division and fracture, when hearts and minds seem out of reach, is there still value in preaching to the like-minded?</p><p>The <a href="https://woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au/david-marr/">2026 Sheila Drummond Memorial Lecture</a> was recorded at the <a href="https://woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au/">Woodend Winter Arts Festival</a> on 6 June 2026.</p><p>Speakers:</p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/david-marr/2927550">David Marr</a>Present <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive">Late Night Live</a>, ABC Radio NationalAuthor,<a href="https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/killing-country"> Killing for Country: A Family Story</a>, <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/patrick-white-9781742747774">Patrick White. A Life</a>, <a href="https://www.quarterlyessay.com.au/essay/2012/09/political-animal">Political Animal: The Making of Tony Abbott</a> (Quarterly Essay) and more</p>