Can live ideas cut through culture wars? Thinkable thinks so

At a time when cultural debates often collapse into shouting matches, a new entrant is betting that Australians are hungry for something more thoughtful.

Thinkable, a live events platform founded by entrepreneur Desh Amila, is launching locally with a focus on evidence-based dialogue - and early ticket sales suggest the gamble is paying off.

The debut program brings two heavyweight international names to the stage: Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker and economist Gary Stevenson.

For Amila, the timing isn’t accidental. He argues that Australia is at a crossroads, as polarising rhetoric from the United States increasingly shapes the cultural landscape.

“We can either passively import that polarisation, or we can actively build a counter-narrative,” he told Mediaweek. “Launching Thinkable is my way of doing my part to change the tide - to provide a space that champions reason, evidence-based discussion, and intellectual humility as an antidote to the noise.”

Big names on debut

Thinkable will open its series in February 2026 with Pinker’s first-ever Australian speaking tour.

For Amila, starting with Pinker is a deliberate choice, positioning the platform alongside voices that emphasise evidence, expertise, and rational debate. “Steven Pinker is a foundational voice for our mission,” he said.

Stevenson will follow with his own debut Australian tour later in the year, with tickets set to go on sale in September.

Amila sees the pairing as complementary: “Gary Stevenson, on the other hand, shows us why that thinking is so critical in the real world.” Together, the two speakers signal Thinkable’s ambition to stage conversations that travel beyond the lecture hall and into the public square.

Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker

A focus on ideas and dialogue

What sets Thinkable apart, Amila said, is a commitment to “unfiltered” conversation. Rather than scripted lectures, events will be built around dynamic dialogue, with hosts asking probing questions and pushing discussions into unscripted territory.

“Each speaker will engage with a skilled interlocutor who acts as the voice of the audience,” Amila explained. “Their job is to ask the challenging questions, to probe for clarity, and to facilitate a conversation that is dynamic, responsive, and spontaneous.”

This format, he believes, is central to countering an era of “post-truth.” It’s about showing that expertise and rationality still matter, while making the exchange accessible enough to draw in broad audiences.

Building on past experience

Thinkable is not Amila’s first foray into this world.

More than a decade ago he founded Think Inc., the touring company that brought Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jane Goodall, and Richard Dawkins to Australian stages. That early work demonstrated that there was, in fact, a market for events centred on ideas.

This time, the ambition stretches further. “Cultural impact is our ultimate ‘why’,” Amila said. “Are we starting conversations that continue long after the event ends? Are we equipping people with new ways to think?”

The goal, he added, is for Thinkable to earn trust as a brand in its own right - so that eventually audiences will come not just for a well-known name but for the guarantee of a challenging, worthwhile evening.

“Success will look like this: a diverse calendar of events in every major city, featuring a mix of the world’s most renowned thinkers alongside Australia’s brightest minds," he said.

Economist Gary Stevenson

Looking ahead

Amila is pragmatic about what’s required to make that vision sustainable. Reach, cultural impact, and revenue must all work in tandem if the platform is to thrive.

His five-year goal is clear: for Thinkable to be a household name for anyone with intellectual curiosity, and to grow into a cultural institution where new voices can stand alongside global leaders.

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