Liz Truss is likely to become UK PM & is promising even wilder policies than Boris Johnson; Her election is another sign of much more volatile geo-political era I trace back to the GFC & the iPhone 4
Be the change you want to see and delete all social media. Their power over us is based on our addiction or flawed justifications for use "staying in touch"...I'm a recovering social user- 7 years ago I deleted fb and insta permanently and nothing bad happened. I'm still in touch with people but in an authentic way. I'm praying for a global "delete" movement (but I'm not sure how it would spread without social media) that happens before my kids get older.. there are 10 year olds being given smartphones all around me due to societal pressure while the studies are coming through regularly showing it making evryone dumber, especially undeveloped brains
Social media is a bit like alcohol. Learn to use it wisely. Put it in its place. Unwise use, especially by kids (undeveloped frontal cortex) makes humans lazy about respectful communication, reckless as they hurl emotive comments, and lazy as they give up wholesome pass times one by one. These are the people who, when they mature, won't have the tools to deal with the death of democracy.
And like alcohol or tobacco or anything else addictive and capable of being harmful, regulation might help! I don't think relying on individual wisdom will solve our societal problem with misinformation and polarisation.
Just in the first part of the podcast - the NZ party that allows membership rather than the caucus to pick the leader is the Greens. Interesting to see the hyper-democratic approach on the left - which does seem to punish apparent centrism from leaders - as well as your international examples on the right.
Great points on social media. I felt it was really affecting my mental health, particularly earlier this year with how wild things got with the mandates and Wellington protests. I removed Facebook from my phone, and now only check it occasionally from my PC.
I think there is a growing number of people doing this, but I do worry it is just leaving the content on social media more and more polarised. There is evidence of this, with the top comment on news stories on Facebook nowadays is often something people would laugh at 5 or 6 years ago e.g. Vaccine misinformation, touting populists as the solution to our issues. There is often very little pushback to these comments, other than maybe moderators stepping in on particular comments, or shutting down comments overall.
His general debate speeches are always worth a watch. If next year’s election ends up being Robertson vs Luxon I’d put my money on Robertson winning the debates.
Great photo Lynn. I’ve seen it circulating and have been struck by the look of the man beside Tamaki. He seems to be looking right down the camera lens. Knowing that he’s watched you be shoved by his people adds another dimension to the expression on his face 😬
Bernard, you are the only commentator in NZ with the knowledge & ability to join the dots & explain how we've got to our present sorry state. Not only that, you also propose solutions. Compared to you, all the other economic/political journalists in NZ simply mouth banalities.
Be the change you want to see and delete all social media. Their power over us is based on our addiction or flawed justifications for use "staying in touch"...I'm a recovering social user- 7 years ago I deleted fb and insta permanently and nothing bad happened. I'm still in touch with people but in an authentic way. I'm praying for a global "delete" movement (but I'm not sure how it would spread without social media) that happens before my kids get older.. there are 10 year olds being given smartphones all around me due to societal pressure while the studies are coming through regularly showing it making evryone dumber, especially undeveloped brains
Social media is a bit like alcohol. Learn to use it wisely. Put it in its place. Unwise use, especially by kids (undeveloped frontal cortex) makes humans lazy about respectful communication, reckless as they hurl emotive comments, and lazy as they give up wholesome pass times one by one. These are the people who, when they mature, won't have the tools to deal with the death of democracy.
I strongly agree - take Facebook with caution.
And like alcohol or tobacco or anything else addictive and capable of being harmful, regulation might help! I don't think relying on individual wisdom will solve our societal problem with misinformation and polarisation.
Oofph, heading into the weekend with that cheerfulness! ...Social media is just the sharp-edged-slightly-too-low-door-frame that keeps on giving!
Just in the first part of the podcast - the NZ party that allows membership rather than the caucus to pick the leader is the Greens. Interesting to see the hyper-democratic approach on the left - which does seem to punish apparent centrism from leaders - as well as your international examples on the right.
Seems to me you have put together a great dollop of sane analysis here. Good for you and thank you.
Great points on social media. I felt it was really affecting my mental health, particularly earlier this year with how wild things got with the mandates and Wellington protests. I removed Facebook from my phone, and now only check it occasionally from my PC.
I think there is a growing number of people doing this, but I do worry it is just leaving the content on social media more and more polarised. There is evidence of this, with the top comment on news stories on Facebook nowadays is often something people would laugh at 5 or 6 years ago e.g. Vaccine misinformation, touting populists as the solution to our issues. There is often very little pushback to these comments, other than maybe moderators stepping in on particular comments, or shutting down comments overall.
“Now, this question was so easy David Seymour got it right” is very funny. Spicy Grant is the best Grant.
His general debate speeches are always worth a watch. If next year’s election ends up being Robertson vs Luxon I’d put my money on Robertson winning the debates.
Great photo Lynn. I’ve seen it circulating and have been struck by the look of the man beside Tamaki. He seems to be looking right down the camera lens. Knowing that he’s watched you be shoved by his people adds another dimension to the expression on his face 😬
Bernard, you are the only commentator in NZ with the knowledge & ability to join the dots & explain how we've got to our present sorry state. Not only that, you also propose solutions. Compared to you, all the other economic/political journalists in NZ simply mouth banalities.
Insightful section on polarization, thank you.