Your say: week beginning November 2

Subscribe From the Editors Published: November 1, 2026 3:23pm EST Johner Images/Getty Images, Dave Hoefler/Unsplash, The Conversation Every day, we publish a selection of your emails in our newsletter. We’d love to hear from you, you can email us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au. Monday November 2 “Your article ‘Friday essay: forget Big Brother, propaganda is now a form of hybrid warfare’ was sobering. It describes the erosion of democracy, as shared public spaces are replaced by the isolated virtual villages we now inhabit, increasingly filled with propaganda. Yet the author concludes by advocating 'common sense and a commitment to plain speaking’ – two of the most easily manipulated concepts in undermining civility and democracy. Throughout history, ‘common sense’ has served as a convenient disguise for beliefs unsupported by evidence, from a flat Earth to all forms of bigotry. Appealing to ‘common sense’ won’t save us; it never has.” Andrew Holliday “Regarding your article, ‘Exempting pensioners from private health rebates won’t make it fairer’, might it be better to first investigate who actually has private health insurance? I can’t imagine many low-income earners can afford it. I’m a 74-year-old pensioner with only extras cover, which I often question, as the benefits barely seem worth the premiums. When I was working, I could never work out whether I was eligible for the rebate or how to claim it. I understand private cover may offer quicker access to specialists and surgery, but why do we need it when we have Medicare?” Chris Hooper, Castlemaine VIC Previous post Published: October 25, 2026 Your say: week beginning October 26 Want to write? Write an article and join a growing community of more than 235,900 academics and researchers from 5,647 institutions. Register now