AFTERNOON TALK: A Human Hearted Answer to the Meaning Crisis

NSW Humanists Meetup's afternoon speaker event at 3-5pm this Sunday 13 July 2025 is held at Humanist House in Chippendale; the topic 'A Human Hearted Answer to the Meaning Crisis' will be presented by Lyndon Storey who has a long history in the Australian Humanist movement as a leader and voluntary humanist Chaplain at a large Canberra hospital.

Lyndon has spent many years studying philosophy and psychology, exploring ways to act meaningfully in the world. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling, and a PhD on Chinese philosophy and international relations. He has recently founded the group 'Human Hearted Sydney'.

Lyndon will show us how Modernity's rational critique has undermined traditional paths to meaning, such as religion and tradition. They have been replaced by things like consumerism, materialistic behaviour, and competitive individualism.

Many people seek to assuage an emptiness and heartlessness they find in modern life. Modernity doesn't seem to offer satisfying paths to a meaningful life, but just shallow alternatives, like hyper nationalism, political tribalism, culture wars, religious revivalism, cosplay fetishising fictional heroes in Star Wars and other movie series, or following celebrities like Deepak Chopra, Jordan Peterson or Oprah Winfrey.

On Sunday, Lyndon will preview and rehearse a forthcoming (online) presentation of a path forward from today's global civilisational troubles towards building a new, more human hearted modernity at a local level. This alternative path leads to supporting one another in living meaningful, fulfilling lives rather than falling for shiny new idols.

NSW Humanist Meetup is sponsored by the Humanist Society of NSW. While the HSNSW positively encourages honest, open, respectful conversations, our invited speakers do not necessarily speak for the assocation or the humanist movement.

ABOUT HUMANISM
Humanism is a flexible, open-minded life philosophy where we explore our common humanity in an awesome world without theism (religion) and other supernatural beliefs. There is no dogma but a shared reality and an appreciation of basic human values like compassion, reason, and fairness. Humanism can be seen in the best aspects of the modern Enlightenment - secularism, science, social democracy, human rights, and human flourishing. We have a concern for the biosphere, and a delight in the world as it is - and as it could be. Our discussions respect reason, respect one another, and reject all dogmatic thinking.