If you want to throw all your stereotypes out about Australians read "The Conversation Year Book". It gives a surprisingly relevant and unique look at some of the worlds most pressing problems. Particularly those articles regarding technology and China are very much worth the read. Australia has a unique and very important role in the global discourse on political and social trends as this book probes.

The Far East for most of the West is the Near North for Australia and this book has a very sobering message for those nations that are becoming ever more dependent on the good will of China. Australian views on Technology and social trends give a great sense of a society coming to grips with many of the problems faced all over the world. From an Australian point of you the reader will discover some surprising and hopeful ideas.