Episode 10 – It’s the End of Free Speech (Give or Take)! Some Solutions and Alternatives

Our last 8 discussion topics have focussed on the erosion of our right to free speech. This week we flip things, positive-stylee, and suggest some solutions, and alternatives to freedom-restricting laws. As always, we also have news, music and banter. This week, Morgan observes ‘the circle of life’ as he waves goodbye to an oversized roller-skate whilst preparing to welcome apian tenants. Then, in our ‘Reflections’ section, it’s all about a little ‘give and take’ as Morgan gives statistics to back up his ‘aviation-oil-usage’ story, and NotMorgan, though still unconvinced, takes it like a gentleman. In news this week, Morgs looks at The Sunday Times’ “Richer List” and sees comparisons with today’s celebrity chefs and those of past, fallen empires. After watching the ‘Four Horsemen’ documentary, he wonders whether Jamie Oliver’s reported M£240 worth signals an imminent apocalypse. NotMorgs looks at recent developments in the NSA spying story – they’ve been found to be secretly recording the entire, real-time content of all telephone conversations for the citizens of at least two nations – and the warring worlds of climate scientists/activists and those accused of being ‘climate deniers’. Morgs talks Linux gaming before bringing some balance to the media’s UKIP-bashing by bidding ‘good riddance’ to the Tory ex-Mayor of Swindon and his discriminatory comments. Then, it’s dastardly, despicable plots with NotMorgs’ killer robots, human hoaxers and a look at what the media’s very own Bond villain, Kim Jong-un, is up to. This week’s discussion topic is the last in our series on the subject of free speech. Over the last eight shows, we’ve looked at how we believe freedom of speech is being eroded in society – thanks for staying with us ;) We’ve alternated between laughing and despairing at laws that limit free speech and the ridiculous scenarios that often ensue when those laws are enforced. Although the topic of ‘free speech’ is something we’ll no doubt often return to, we bring it to a close as our discussion topic for now by offering our take on some suggested alternatives to laws that limit our free speech. We look at how we can progress as a society and hopefully eventually overcome discrimination without these laws, and how to prevent others from taking away your personal power, and/or your ability to communicate openly and freely. NotMorgan looks at how we combat discrimination whilst maintaining our right to insult and offend. Knowing the importance of empathy, and that problems are best dealt with at their roots, he looks at the ‘Roots of Empathy’ programs that aim to develop empathy in school children through mother and baby classroom sessions. In addition to empathy, our kids (and many adults!) also need to learn critical thinking and responsibility for how they think and act. To this end, NotMorgan suggests that the incorporation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques, and in particular its foundation of working with people’s individual learning styles, could be greatly beneficial to all teaching methods. Different approaches to ADD are given as an example, and both hosts agree on the importance of being open to ‘difference’ and not giving drugs to children. Morgan looks at the role of comedy in changing perceptions, and stresses the importance of people taking responsibility for informing themselves, rather than relying on compromised media outlets to do it for us. We then look ahead to an infinitely-expanding list of ‘banned words and phrases’ and contemplate giving away your personal power by being offended by silly name-calling. Morgan sees discrimination for what it is - the actions of people who really don’t know or understand anything of any real importance about the individuals they discriminate against – and gives some suggestions for ensuring that your free speech isn’t compromised by technology providers who can take it away at the push of a button. We end, as always, by telling listeners how they can get involved and help us improve the show, before playing out with our choice of the best in creative commons music. Thank you for your support – enjoy the show! Roast Beef!!!