In these charades we call episodes, we tackle two listener questions. We never see them, or very rarely see them, before we press record, so you hear our answers completely cold. Some subjects we know a fair bit about, and we are honest about that. Others come from our own life experience. But sometimes we are presented with a question, and simply have to go with it, seeing what emerges from the conversation, and our thoughts. Our first listener question arrives from Estefania in Jalisco, Mexico - “Do you think we’ve stopped listening to each other? We are driven by social media, which itself thrives on division. We are on this crowded rock, and we need to start getting on. I agree, we need to use words better, and maybe some words shouldn’t be used, but why not? Too many people seem to be looking to take offence and enjoying the effects of endorphins caused by arguing. All views need to be heard, within reason, but we seem to be losing the inclination to healthy debate. We're in a strange spot right now, I don’t recognize the tone of international conversation right now, its not my voice. We shouldn’t just go with the flow, we need a higher level of intelligence, compassion and empathy etc to get ourselves out of this. We have done better, we need to do better, and right now we are acting very small and narrowminded”. Prompted by Estafania’s question, William believes that humanity has a tendency to think and act in small, narrow-minded ways, arguing that this has been a consistent trait throughout human history, rather than a uniquely modern problem. Stuart argues that social media now plays a major role in driving behaviour, and often thrives on division, noting that while it originally emerged from platforms like Friends Reunited, aimed at reconnecting people, it has since evolved into something far more complex and influential. Bronwen from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, sets the second question which is as follows - "Epstein files, your former Prince Andrew, Mandelson, Trump, all must be appreciating the current affairs distraction brought about by the war in Iran? Easy to hide bad news during those times”. From Bronwen’s question William suggests that some political actions and narratives, including references to figures like Trump, can be interpreted as deliberate distractions. Arguing that the constant shift from one controversy to another, creates a reality TV style dynamic, where attention is continually redirected, rather than focused on underlying issues. Stuart just wants to leave this question hanging for you to sit with for a while. Take some time to think about how you are being distracted, and who you are being distracted by. That is all he wants to say on it. What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/ImproveTheOxfordshireCountrysideAccessibilityForAllDisabilitiesAndAbilities We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers. This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
