A lifetime of activism has taught author, anthropologist and academic Marcia Langton the power of strategic thought and persuasion. ‘You can change the world and you can make the world a better place,’ she says. But it’s important to stay positive, to be thoughtful, to communicate clearly, and to have compassion. ‘There is too much negativity, too much cynicism, and it’s not helpful’

‘If you ask “why” you will get all sorts of amazing answers,’ says Ita Buttrose in the latest instalment of our Wisdom of Ages video series

The former quiz champion who became Bob Hawke’s science minister calls for politicians to raise their game and embrace complexity as he warns against the ‘debasement of democracy’ in public life. While the number of graduates has multiplied ‘at the same time the level of our political discourse has deteriorated … the way in which we’re arguing about issues is debased to an incredible degree’, he says. ‘People are capable of understanding issues if they are taken seriously.’ At the age of 84 he’s still fighting, campaigning – and thinking. ‘Of course I’m conscious that time is running out and that really has energised me’

The power of poetry, says the Australian actor, keeps him centred in the present

‘We need the stirrers, we need the outsiders, we need the people who change things,’ the feminist, academic and activist says