Dear pensive reader,

2012 is coming to a close soon and the end of the world is nigh, if the doomsday prophets are to be believed! Of course most people don’t really think we’re about to meet our end, but such stories are worth examining for a variety of reasons, not least for the value of exploring our cultural myths and their effects on how we run our societies.

Welcome to the eighth issue of Spirit of the Times in which we challenge our cultural narratives and examine the need for a new mythology! Between the usual life-dramas and more, our multi-tasking team of inter-state volunteers has once again managed to pull together a wholesome treat for the critical thinking mind.

Each of our bimonthly compilations aims to present global issues primarily within an Australian context, delivering Australia-specific news items from an alternative perspective, informative articles regarding contemporary issues, discursive analyses, social commentary and critique, and book and film reviews with content relevant to the aims and ethos of a paradigm in which sustainability is the bottom line. Each issue presents its own theme; and this one is “Myths, Mythology, and Myth-Busting”.

It is in this, our eighth issue, that contemporary myths and narratives of our society are examined and critiqued, and approaches to mythology and narrative as catalysts for a paradigm of sustainability are explored. Those of us brave enough to challenge norms and ask challenging questions are sure to find something to chew on amongst the food for thought offered in this issue!

We hope that you will find this an inspiring and empowering read, and that you will find information worth sharing!

Regards,

Kari McGregor & the Spirit of the Times team

Any feedback regarding current articles or enquiries about future submissions is to be sent to: magazine {at} thespiritofcommunity(.)org

Please indicate whether you would like feedback to be passed on to the writer of any given article, and/or published in the next issue. Thank you.