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Programme: Thought for the Week
Presenter: Gavin Oldham
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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Time

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Time
What does time mean for you? A busy diary, rushing people, stress and anxiety — 'never enough hours in the day'? If so, there's plenty of that to watch on the Sky Movies channel. Or do you see it as one of the crowning glories of creation which makes all life possible? Nobel Prize winner Kip Thorne helped to unravel its mysteries in 'The Life Scientific' following his input on 'Interstellar', and thus inspired our thought for this week. Background music: opening with grandfather clock chimes, closing with 'Take Your Time' by Dan Lebowitz

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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Global stock ownership requires global investment platforms

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Global stock ownership requires global investment platforms
While Hargreaves Lansdowne accepts an outcome driven by Private Equity, Abrdn attempts to shrug off the high price it paid for buying its retail investment platform from Private Equity. The short-term and intensely finance-based motivation of that sector achieves a real contrast between its entry and exit pricing, notwithstanding the damage it does to public markets. That short-term focus has also denied a strategic transition to global retail investment platforms capable of supporting widespread global stock ownership in the years ahead; although the parochial nature of investment regulation and antiquated technology also conspire against making that transition. Employee share ownership has made that change, and its workplace solutions could set the template for individual stock ownership across the world. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins

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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Summer at Last?

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

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: Inter-generational injustice requires wholesale reform

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Inter-generational injustice requires wholesale reform
David Willetts set out the challenge of inter-generational injustice 14 years ago in his book, 'The Pinch': but the problems have got worse, not better, during that same period of Conservative government. Young people face huge problems as a result of a fiscal environment structured to benefit older people, student debt, asset prices inflated by prolonged low interest rates — and then the pandemic: not to speak of demographic dislocations as a result of migration. Government finances may indeed require a complete overhaul, but it needs to be done in combination with resolving inter-generational injustice. Background music: 'Generations Away' by Unicorn Heads

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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Usurping God

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Usurping God
‘God is on my side', Trump told his re-vitalised Republican Party following the attempt to assassinate him. Bob Dylan's 1964 song 'With God on our side' told how this claim has been used to justify violence and oppression throughout history. Trump is not alone: Patriarch Kirill makes exactly the same claim for Putin's murderous assault on Ukraine. When will we learn that none of us can usurp God's favour or authority? Background music: 'With God on Our Side' by The Golden Gate Strings

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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: One Human Family

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

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: Debt is the Achilles Heel of Democracy

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Debt is the Achilles Heel of Democracy
The scale of the nominal national debt is staggering, but when you add in unfunded pension schemes (state and public sector) and HM Treasury indemnities to the Bank of England it places a heavy load indeed on the new Chancellor. Her early career at the Bank of England and HBOS will have prepared Rachel Reeves well to tackle this challenge in her new role as Chancellor of the Exchequer; and she will be well aware of the heavy burden being placed on younger generations. Background music: 'Burden Laid Down' by The Westerlies

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Gavin Oldham

Thought for the Week: Egalitarian Capitalism should replace Socialism

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

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: Learning takes a Lifetime

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

Thought for the Week

Thought for the Week: Learning takes a Lifetime
We all have so much to learn from others as well as from our own experience. In his April 2015 Track Record, Sir Martin Jacomb, who died on 8th June, referred to Gordon Richardson, Bank of England Governor from 1973 to 1983, as his mentor, but it was Martin himself who was my fount of wisdom. Everyone, even Prime Ministers, could benefit from a mentor, and I was fortunate indeed to learn from Martin. Background music: introduction for Share Radio's Track Record programme

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Gavin Oldham

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

Gavin Oldham
Original Broadcast:

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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