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Mockery and contempt for others, unleashed in the name of free speech, are creating a toxic environment where respect and decency are unlamented relics of the past. We have ignored the 'dumbing down' of education and abandoned parts of our cities to drugs, alcohol and violence. As long as they remain insulated in middle class ghettos, our politicians can ignore this. But we can't afford to give up on the ideal of a more civilized and equal society. To live together in healthy communities, we need to put a stop to the culture of alcohol, aggression and the glorification of violence. Hear a literary great speak about a topic that is very close to his heart.
Alexander McCall Smith is a celebrated novelist and creator of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series which has sold over 20 million copies.
Chaired by Mark Colvin