And then there’s North Korea and the US.

Moving back to Game of Thrones, however, we know we are dealing with a pop culture phenomenon.  Adele, Ed Sheeran, home renovation programs, chaos in Canberra and death by sword.

I have spent a number of years in the artificial realm of politics, so stabbings, lifelong vendettas and allies gone ‘rogue’ are all part of the scene. Yet Thrones has grabbed our attention, across the world, on a scale perhaps never before seen.

What’s the fascination? The blood, the tragedy? Bright and interesting characters cut down in their prime, their hopes and dreams unfulfilled? Sex and alcohol?

Thrones presents the threatening scenario that most of us are powerless in the face of overwhelming threat coming to overrun us. It tells us that great powers will use us for their games, then discard us when we have served a purpose.

Apart from the lead characters, the vast cast are pawns or spectators, watching what happens without understanding. And then we, in our homes, are watching what happens on screen. Passive in the face of massive societal change.

Does Game of Thrones reflect our current times? Or is it a vision of the future? 

I can see why there is the temptation to pull back from public engagement in the big issues of our times, retreating to the loungeroom to consume our quota of drama.

At the end of the allotted hour, we can flick the switch and turn off. It’s not like that outside our doors.

There is a real ugliness creeping into public debate. You are brave or foolish to stick your head above the wall.

We look on with alarm to see the level of abuse and harm that can now be administered from afar via a post on Facebook or Tripadvisor. It’s affecting kids in their school years – and beyond. You don’t need sticks and stones – anonymous words are hurting us.

Politics and public protest movements are throwing up individuals whose defining characteristics are 1) giving abuse, 2) a lack of knowledge of local history, and 3) a love of attention. No one seems able to pull them into line before they have done the inevitable level of damage to the cause they once championed.

Even here on the border – and borderlands are classic Game of Thrones territory – we see this happen. Sometimes the cause is fatally wounded and everyone limps back home deflated.

There is great danger to our society when no one will speak up; and there is great danger when no one will pull the rogue back in line to the usually tolerant message with which the campaign began.

Political games over same-sex marriage have, in my opinion, done harm. Prominent leaders have even switched sides on how they want the issue determined, following party strategies.

One of the comments I hear is from people who don’t seem to mind the outcome but they certainly don’t want it left to the few in Parliament House. Others believe the decision must come from those elected representatives.

Well, the campaigns are under way. Make sure you are registered to vote, and we all must do our utmost to see that this process is illuminated by the best people we can be.