Intro
The Bugle is an audio newspaper for a visual world. In this episode titled “Politics: An Audition For Reality TV,” Andy Zoltzman and guests discuss news and current events. Joining the show are Alice Fraser from the Southern Hemisphere and James Nakhisa from the Northern Hemisphere. They share their experiences, including house hunting, reporting on the Rugby World Cup, and encountering tasteless opulence. The episode covers a range of topics, from Christmas adverts to colonial apologies, homelessness, and even space combat.
Main Takeaways
House Hunting and Rugby World Cup
- Alice Fraser shares her experience house hunting and encountering tasteless opulence.
- James Nakhisa talks about his experience reporting on the Rugby World Cup and becoming the only reporter in a press conference.
- James recounts his 14-hour train ride back from the World Cup, including a four and a half hour cab ride where the driver got lost in the hills of Scotland.
- James humorously describes the experience of interacting with British Rail and the national tutting that goes on.
Controversial Christmas Adverts
- The podcast has a Christmas section that is going straight in the bin, as the John Lewis Christmas advert has been released.
- Nodgers and Claystrop released another controversial Christmas advert featuring a 17th-century witch trial.
- Critics claim the advert and slogan “Nodgers and Claystrop for life’s guilty pleasures” are misogynistic.
Colonial Apologies and Amnesia
- Old empire powers like Britain and Germany are issuing intermittent near apologies for colonial abuses.
- King Charles nearly apologized for colonial abuses in Kenya during his state visit.
- The question arises of what is taught in King’s school if not the history of British colonies.
- Both British and German apologies for colonial atrocities contained the term “shared history,” but this is stretching the meaning of the word “share” past its point of maximum elasticity.
- Prince Charles’ apology for the wrongdoings of the past lacked the depth necessary to be included in the national history curriculum.
- The German President asked for forgiveness for a brutal suppression of a rebellion that resulted in over 300,000 deaths, stating that it was “our shared history.”
- Colonial amnesia is necessary for countries to forget the atrocities they have committed in order to continue exploiting the world.
- Imposter syndrome can arise from reading about colonial history and realizing that incompetent people were responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of people.
- German Chancellor’s book highlights the need for healing from colonization.
Lloyd’s of London and Reparations Washing
- Lloyd’s of London accused of reparations washing after review into its links with the slave trade.
- Lloyd’s commissioned academics to research its past involvement with the slave trade.
- Lloyd’s formally apologized and committed PS52 million towards initiatives for black and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
- The PS52 million commitment is a small amount compared to the profits made by Lloyd’s in recent years.
- Lloyd’s insurance company’s records show dealings with slave owners.
- Horatio Clagget, an underwriter, was responsible for a third of all known slave ship voyages.
Space Combat and AI Simulations
- Israel used its arrow missile defense system to shoot down a ballistic missile outside Earth’s atmosphere in the first combat ever to take place in space.
- War often leads to technological progress that benefits civilian life.
- The United Nations has hired AI company Culture Pulse to simulate scenarios for fixing issues in the Middle East.
- The AI model is designed to understand, analyze, and get insights into implementing policies and communication strategies.
- The idea that you can solve the problems in the Middle East by understanding its history has been disproven.
Homelessness and Political Controversy
- The UK Home Secretary, Suwela Braferman, claimed that homelessness is essentially a lifestyle choice and plans to crack down on people sleeping on the streets.
- Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice, and her claim has been criticized by homeless charities, opposition politicians, and even conservative politicians.
- Braviman’s claim that homelessness is a lifestyle choice has been criticized by various groups and politicians.
- Braviman’s comments have caused controversy in the UK and the US.
- Comedian Russell Brand shares his experience of sleeping on the streets and suggests that Braviman should sleep in a tent outside number 10 to understand homelessness.
- Braviman’s article in the Times undermines the Metropolitan Police and has been criticized by figures within the Conservative Party.
- There are suggestions that Braviman is trying to get sacked to position herself as the next Tory leader.
- Chancellor Shunak is in a difficult position regarding the potential sacking of Braviman.
- There are suggestions that Braviman is trying to position herself as the next Tory leader.
- Labour and Tories both agree that Braviman is a dangerous maniac.
Michelin Star Restaurant Closure
- A Michelin Star restaurant in Belfast has announced its closure due to becoming too expensive.
- The restaurant, Percept Include, is serving dishes without actual food to save money on ingredients, kitchen equipment, and staff.
Upcoming Events and Recommendations
- The Bugle podcast will have an update on the latest from the court cases currently spiting up American politics.
- The Bugle is going on a live tour in March 2020 around the United Kingdom.
- Other podcasts to check out: Fair Game Pacific Rugby Against the World, The Gargle, and the Bugle’s exclusive monthly Ask Andy show for premium level voluntary subscribers.
Summary
House Hunting and Rugby World Cup
Alice Fraser shares her experience of house hunting, encountering tasteless opulence, while James Nakhisa talks about his unique experience reporting on the Rugby World Cup, including being the only reporter in a press conference. James also humorously describes his challenging journey back from the World Cup, involving a long train ride and a lost cab driver in Scotland.
Controversial Christmas Adverts
The podcast discusses the release of the John Lewis Christmas advert and the controversial Christmas advert by Nodgers and Claystrop, featuring a 17th-century witch trial. Critics argue that the Nodgers and Claystrop advert and its slogan are misogynistic.
Colonial Apologies and Amnesia
The episode delves into the intermittent near apologies for colonial abuses by old empire powers like Britain and Germany. Prince Charles and the German President’s apologies are criticized for lacking depth and stretching the meaning of “shared history.” The discussion highlights the need for healing from colonization and the impact of colonial amnesia on countries’ ability to forget their past atrocities.
Lloyd’s of London and Reparations Washing
Lloyd’s of London faces accusations of reparations washing after a review into its links with the slave trade. The company commissioned academics to research its past involvement and formally apologized, committing PS52 million towards initiatives for black and ethnically diverse backgrounds. However, the commitment is seen as small compared to Lloyd’s recent profits, and records show dealings with slave owners, including Horatio Clagget, a prominent underwriter responsible for numerous slave ship voyages.
Space Combat and AI Simulations
The podcast discusses Israel’s use of its arrow missile defense system to shoot down a ballistic missile in space combat. It also explores how war often leads to technological progress that benefits civilian life. Additionally, the United Nations hiring AI company Culture Pulse to simulate scenarios for fixing Middle East issues is examined, challenging the notion that understanding history alone can solve the region’s problems.
Homelessness and Political Controversy
The controversial claim by UK Home Secretary Suwela Braferman that homelessness is a lifestyle choice sparks criticism from various groups and politicians. Comedian Russell Brand shares his personal experience of sleeping on the streets and suggests that Braferman should gain firsthand understanding by sleeping in a tent outside number 10. The article by Braferman in the Times undermines the Metropolitan Police and raises suggestions of her trying to position herself as the next Tory leader, creating controversy within the UK and US political spheres.
Michelin Star Restaurant Closure
Percept Include, a Michelin Star restaurant in Belfast, announces its closure due to becoming too expensive. The restaurant adopts a unique approach of serving dishes without actual food to save costs on ingredients, kitchen equipment, and staff.
Upcoming Events and Recommendations
The Bugle podcast teases an upcoming update on the court cases shaping American politics. Additionally, the podcast announces a live tour around the United Kingdom in March 2020. Other recommended podcasts include Fair Game Pacific Rugby Against the World, The Gargle, and the Bugle’s exclusive monthly Ask Andy show for premium level voluntary subscribers.
Conclusion
In this episode of The Bugle, Andy Zoltzman and his guests cover a wide range of topics, from house hunting and rugby to controversial Christmas adverts, colonial apologies, and space combat. They also delve into issues surrounding homelessness, Lloyd’s of London’s involvement in the slave trade, and the closure of a Michelin Star restaurant. The episode concludes with updates on upcoming events and recommendations for other podcasts to check out. With its blend of humor and insightful commentary, The Bugle offers an engaging and thought-provoking take on current events.
