10 October

Underneath grand narratives you’ll usually find some simple, practical thing that explains things. The US has a much more libertarian, individual freedom focus than Australia. That comes down to underlying beliefs. But underlying beliefs have to be enacted too. One thing I hadn’t realised about the US is how little community sport happens there. Most sport is organised through schools. Whereas it’s like a national religion in Australia. That’s one of the key places the sense of community is generated and maintained, outside all usual social boundaries. Aussies do love sport, but it’s much more important than just throwing balls around. It’s a key to something very distinct about living here.