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Genre: Politics / Topic: World
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Programme: Thought for the Week
Presenter: Gavin Oldham
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week — and beyond: Nobel Committee sets out existential threat to humanity

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week — and beyond: Nobel Committee sets out existential threat to humanity
Five countries were recognised as nuclear weapon states under the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. Other states now with nuclear weapons include India, Pakistan and North Korea — and Israel is thought to have them too. Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite but was appalled at the thought that he would be remembered as leaving such a deadly legacy, would be pleased with the Nobel Committee's decision to issue such a clear warning against any future use of nuclear weapons. Background music: 'Sarabande' by Joel Cummins Image source: Wikipedia
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: How shifting priorities risk our future

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: How shifting priorities risk our future
In our fast-moving world, priorities are often distracted: issues which require long-term focus often lose out as a result. Unscrupulous marketeers are well aware of this, and the New Weather Institute has published a report showing how fossil fuel giants are using sport sponsorship in order to divert our attention from the need to address climate change. Background music: 'Hovering Thoughts' by Spence
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Could Justin Welby hold the key to peace in Ukraine?

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Could Justin Welby hold the key to peace in Ukraine?
In a House of Lords debate on the continuing conflict in Sudan, Archbishop Justin Welby called for a long-term plan towards peace building. The need for that is just as acute in Ukraine and, using all his considerable skills in reconciliation, he could open the door to a pathway to peace by going to meet Patriarch Kirill in Moscow. Thus far Kirill has given steadfast spiritual support to Putin, but is this in keeping with the Christian faith? How can the clear instruction to 'love your enemies' be reconciled with the continuing devastation and anguish in Ukraine and the abduction of more than 20,000 children? Background music: 'Confliction & Catharsis' by Asher Fulero
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Falling birth rates unsettle the Vatican

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Falling birth rates unsettle the Vatican
Pope Francis calls for more focus on children, suggesting that in many countries pets take preference. If the hard-won values of gender equality are to benefit generations well into the future, western democracies need to help young people towards family formation. His comments may have been prompted by the collapse in Italian fertility rates to just 1.3 birth per woman: well below the 2.1 needed for a stable population. Background music: 'Young And Old Know Love' Puddle of Infinity
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Summer at Last?

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Summer at Last?
It's been a long wait for summer this year, and we need to search for glimmers of hope as we approach the new political/economic/academic year. One such is the significant rise in Maths 'A' level entries, which will help young people find good careers. Another is the 0.25% reduction in interest rates: a cautious and close-run decision in times of considerable turbulence. Real interest rates are still 3%, so there's a long way to go. If the current rash of street riots allow it, we need to use the few weeks of summer calm to reflect on the big issues holding us back, including how to achieve a world without poverty. Background music: 'Solar Power' by Ashley Shadow
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: One Human Family

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: One Human Family
Sport is not only a good way to celebrate national identity but also a great way to celebrate human convergence; football is one of the best in this respect, where we see teams comprised of so many different ethnicities representing so many different countries. Just as regional identity is something to celebrate within countries, so also is national identity something to celebrate in a global context. But this doesn't mean turning countries into fortresses, and the United Nations needs to play a more prominent role in converging governance. Background music: 'India Fuse' by French Fuse
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Egalitarian Capitalism should replace Socialism

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Egalitarian Capitalism should replace Socialism
Most of us believe in personal freedom within a fairer society, but that combination isn't currently on offer from any of the political parties seeking your vote. It is, however possible — but you need to start young. Reducing the voting age to 16 might help a bit, but a more egalitarian way forward for capitalism calls for starter capital accounts and incentivised learning for disadvantaged young people. Then, you need to do something about wealth concentration brought about by the tech giants. Background music: 'Freedom' by Dan Lebowitz
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: AI — An Exciting and Fearsome Tool

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: AI — An Exciting and Fearsome Tool
Tools have accompanied us since the dawn of humanity, but few are as exciting and fearsome as Artificial Intelligence. That's why the Pope chose to talk to G7 leaders last Friday about this swiftly developing technology with his plea that politicians need to ensure that it benefits every human being. Artificial Intelligence is just one of the long-term concerns included in our pre-General Election survey, asking your opinion on issues not included in party manifestos: these include linking inheritance levies directly to inter-generational rebalancing, transforming the UK's welfare system, and reforming the 'second chamber' to enable proper long-term review of legislation. Please take part! Visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FU34N0/ Background music: 'The New Order' by Aaron Kenny
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Moral Compass Missing

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Moral Compass Missing
Nothing seems to shake the populist following of Mr. Trump, which includes a substantial proportion of the evangelical Christian community. Is their moral compass somewhat unbalanced — are they omitting to focus on the second great commandment, to love our neighbours (those least likely to be our 'neighbours') as ourselves? Here in the UK, populism is more associated with the Reform Party, which is attracting 15% of voters compared to the Conservatives 21%. They share Trump's appeal for self-interest and antipathy towards migration: meanwhile the need for a real focus on helping the poor continues. Where's the moral compass? Background music: 'Charisma' by The Brothers Records
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: AI raises the urgency for disintermediated participation

Gavin Oldham
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Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: AI raises the urgency for disintermediated participation
Professor Hinton, the 'godfather of AI' warns that the challenges of Artificial Intelligence are not just economic but also strategic. His quotation of Putin shows clearly the need for a convergent approach towards these risks. And remember the Bletchley conference just six months ago? The scientists have lost no time in preparing their interim report, but there's much to be done in planning the best way forward. Background music: 'Metamorphosis' by Quincas Moreira
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