Updated 22- Oct-23-RL Return to main Geopolitics Page
Topics Discussed So Far:
13 July (RL) What is the single biggest threat to human life on our planet?(Present: BB, RF,RL,MS,EW, RW, Apologies RW, KR):
We enjoyed a robust discussion, with no single anwer being a provable front-runner: The chief suspects included over-population by humans (with beneficial impacts of economics and education) , climate change too rapid to adjust to, all-out warfare including nuclear, biological and/or chemical (the nuclear aspect perhaps resulting in a "nuclear winter"), catastrophic eruption (e.g. the Yellowstone Caldera, also resulting in a multi-year winter) or a magnetic polar reversal, where, happily, recent research greatly weakens the previously implicated links to mass extinctions within the fossil record, but gives plenty of other causes for concern. Our discussion helped us to appreciate a distinction between:
We didn't quite manage to stay focussed "on topic" throughout, with entertaining diversions into the whereabouts of certain Russian Generals and Wagner leader Prigozhin, the definition and weaponisation of "Wokery", the importance of free speech as advocated by Rowan Atkinson, the saga of Covid and the Wuhan laboratory, and (certainly the most positive) testimony concerning quite staggering advances in modern cancer treatments
10 August (RF)(Apologies RW, KR): What are the main effects of discrimination, within the UK and globally? Which is worse, "positive" (or "Reverse") discrimination or "negative" discrimination?
14 Sept (Introducer was Liz) "China: Friend or Foe?") (Apologies RW, KR) The first of several sessions where we aim to deepen our understanding of China and its global influence. As preparation, we looked at the recent G20 Summit in India, the new Chinese "Atlas" that subsumes a significant chunk of India, and this week's "Spy in Westminster" headlines. Nanotechnology, chip production, Huawei's unveiling of its new Mate 60 Pro smartphone, Taiwan, UK academia, the arms race and more were touched upon, and Liz quoted some eye-watering stats on just how much of UK PLC is now owned by the Chinese.
12 Oct (Introducer Richard W) “99%”: Economics: Wealth gaps and values gaps between different societal groups are reaching unsustainable levels. Consider the 99% book (Mark Thomas): What geopolitical consequences result? (Paper opens in new window)
Suggested Preparation: There was plenty to think about! This paper summarises our suggested preparation and also our "Hot Geopolitical News" for the meeting.
Return to main Geopolitics Page
Topics Discussed So Far:
13 July (RL) What is the single biggest threat to human life on our planet?(Present: BB, RF,RL,MS,EW, RW, Apologies RW, KR):
We enjoyed a robust discussion, with no single anwer being a provable front-runner: The chief suspects included over-population by humans (with beneficial impacts of economics and education) , climate change too rapid to adjust to, all-out warfare including nuclear, biological and/or chemical (the nuclear aspect perhaps resulting in a "nuclear winter"), catastrophic eruption (e.g. the Yellowstone Caldera, also resulting in a multi-year winter) or a magnetic polar reversal, where, happily, recent research greatly weakens the previously implicated links to mass extinctions within the fossil record, but gives plenty of other causes for concern. Our discussion helped us to appreciate a distinction between:
- "biggest threat to human life" and
- "biggest threat to our modern civilisation"
We didn't quite manage to stay focussed "on topic" throughout, with entertaining diversions into the whereabouts of certain Russian Generals and Wagner leader Prigozhin, the definition and weaponisation of "Wokery", the importance of free speech as advocated by Rowan Atkinson, the saga of Covid and the Wuhan laboratory, and (certainly the most positive) testimony concerning quite staggering advances in modern cancer treatments
10 August (RF)(Apologies RW, KR): What are the main effects of discrimination, within the UK and globally? Which is worse, "positive" (or "Reverse") discrimination or "negative" discrimination?
14 Sept (Introducer was Liz) "China: Friend or Foe?") (Apologies RW, KR) The first of several sessions where we aim to deepen our understanding of China and its global influence. As preparation, we looked at the recent G20 Summit in India, the new Chinese "Atlas" that subsumes a significant chunk of India, and this week's "Spy in Westminster" headlines. Nanotechnology, chip production, Huawei's unveiling of its new Mate 60 Pro smartphone, Taiwan, UK academia, the arms race and more were touched upon, and Liz quoted some eye-watering stats on just how much of UK PLC is now owned by the Chinese.
12 Oct (Introducer Richard W) “99%”: Economics: Wealth gaps and values gaps between different societal groups are reaching unsustainable levels. Consider the 99% book (Mark Thomas): What geopolitical consequences result? (Paper opens in new window)
Suggested Preparation: There was plenty to think about! This paper summarises our suggested preparation and also our "Hot Geopolitical News" for the meeting.
Return to main Geopolitics Page
Think you might be interested in joining this group?
If interested, click on Contact Us: The email will go direct to the Webmaster. That’s me, Rik, the Webmaster. I'm happy to be the leader / co-leader, or in time give way to any other member who would like to lead.
If interested, click on Contact Us: The email will go direct to the Webmaster. That’s me, Rik, the Webmaster. I'm happy to be the leader / co-leader, or in time give way to any other member who would like to lead.
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