Our Mums told us never to lie. But from stealth marketers to politicians, fortune tellers to real estate agents, it seems dishonesty makes the world go round. This issue, our contributors evaluate the case for living an honest life versus the benefits of telling porkies. We lie to protect our weakness and ugliness from the world’s scrutiny – and sometimes for fame or profit. But whether it’s our personal failures, our sexual preference, or our taste in music or film, perhaps it’s better to be honest with ourselves. This bumper final issue of Is Not Magazine asks us to come clean about our true desires. Our contributors share their disappointment when a promised showdown with a childhood nemesis results in pity rather than triumph, when a longed-for change of government results in more of the same, when sexual encounters don’t live up to romantic expectations… or even more uncannily, when the reality is exactly like the brochure. Others reassess superficial trash as an honest delight or show the disgusting underbelly (real or imagined) of consuming pop culture. And there’s plenty here about that special shiny metal itself: our contributors explain how it’s dug from the ground and assigned value by everyone from gourmands to pirates.

This issue is about taking responsibility for our decisions and our desires. These days, Billie Jean might be relieved that Michael Jackson refused to be her babydaddy. So, what do we do when the painful past intrudes into the present, or fictional ideas become uncomfortably real? And what kinds of burdens do children shoulder on behalf of their parents? Our contributors muse on the nature of creation and champion the need to be accountable for our actions. And there’s plenty of advice – if you’re grown-up enough to take it. If you’ve ever been promiscuous in any way, this issue can help you take care of the consequences.

This issue is about the costs of communication. Our contributors offer varying opinions on whether linguistic shifts in an era of text messaging, blogging and MySpace have enriched or impoverished our social relations and our sense of self. And when people from televangelists to guerrilla marketers can profit from shooting their mouths off, should we feel exploited for paying attention? Other contributors champion undervalued communication – drunken foolishness, shyness, small-talk cliches, and formerly obscure music that has come subtly to underscore our lives. Have a listen. It’s worth it.

Our Mums told us never to lie. But from stealth marketers to politicians, fortune tellers to real estate agents, it seems dishonesty makes the world go round. This issue, our contributors evaluate the case for living an honest life versus the benefits of telling porkies. We lie to protect our weakness and ugliness from the world’s scrutiny – and sometimes for fame or profit. But whether it’s our personal failures, our sexual preference, or our taste in music or film, perhaps it’s better to be honest with ourselves.

As we embarked on our second massive year, we vowed to be Bigger and Better and to ready ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead. Meanwhile, our contributors consider the eternal question of how much size matters. Whether you’re talking about buildings, penises, bank balances, art, engines, band audiences, font sizes, takeaway coffees or your own butt – the bigger/better question can cause heated debate. We know what Bruno Grollo would say, but how do you measure up? (We’ve provided some rulers for your convenience.)

This issue is all about the divisions that define us. Are humans born with certain predilections? Or do we take on tribal identifications purely to give ourselves something to rail against? Some of our contributors take sides, while others prefer to umpire the great conflicts of our time: Sydney vs Melbourne; Mac vs PC; book vs film. Still others imagine fantastical battles or strange hybrids that elimininate the need for competition once and for all. And being a rock’n’roll edition, we also give you musical love advice, reveal the Beatles’ hip pad from Help (with some Stoney interlopers), and pass on some wise words about musical genres. And given that the Queen has knighted both Sir Paul and Sir Mick, are the Beatles and the Stones so different? After all, we get by with a little help from our friends. Let’s spend the night together.

Our contributors explore whether we’re richer with spare change or spare hours. Is it altruistic, selfish or even criminal to do things for free? What appreciates or depreciates? And what would financial gurus do with a time machine? Take time to read it, and money to buy it. And please use our flash fictions as SMS templates for on-the-spot social contracts. We promise you’ll be rewarded.

According to our national anthem it’s the Australian raison d’être. We idealise the opportunities, escapades and experiences that come with being young. But youth is just as much about condescension, exploitation, and the omnipresent word “No”. No jam donuts at the market or Galaga at the fish’n’chip shop. No fulfilling jobs or affordable housing. No attention. No respect. Issue 5tive of all, because we’re unable to break free of our comfort zone.

Our contributors ask when an everyday pastime becomes an uncontrollable compulsion. It’s hard to distinguish between habit and addiction in a society that legitimises the obsessive accumulation of material wealth, but demonises substance users as criminals and degenerates. And perhaps our daily routine is the most addictive of all, because we’re unable to break free of our comfort zone.

The human brain can be pretty damn fallible. When our minds play tricks on us, we can’t trust the evidence of our eyes. And sometimes, we prefer what we believe to what we see. So, in a world that prizes objectivity and detachment, surely we can learn more about ourselves by examining our prejudices, our misapprehensions and our illusions. See it. Believe it. Rub your eyes. Pinch the person next to you.

The raciest grey area we could find for issue #1. What comes to mind? Your wife? Your porn stash? The frequency of your intimate encounters generally? It certainly took our contributors into uncharted waters. So here it is: Love and Lust and joyous rambling editorial confusion on the street. And check out the love letters. You may have written one of them.