Hello everyone, I buggered up the podcast this week and Substack won't let me change it so I've had to send it out again - with the right file this time. it shou;d be in your inbox or you can listen to it here: https://iandunt.substack.com/p/i-buggered-up-the-podcast-heres-the
I can't help thinking that the world would be a much better place if politicians, and politics in general, adopted the principles of the scientific method. A rational evidence-based approach, robust but reasoned scrutiny, intellectual well thought out argument and discourse, diligence and attention to detail, and a long term commitment to finding solutions to some of humanity's most intractable problems.
Thanks! This piece is uplifting at a point where we feel most down. Literally. The portait of Trump fits the bill exactly. In the end, perhaps sooner than anyone thinks, our American friends will find a peaceful democratic way to dump this pathetic but destructive wreck of president.
I don't think I'd realised how much my body and mind had been crying out for some feeling of hope, until I started looking at the countdown on the NASA website on launch day.
Every time I checked it I felt a little more like I needed the launch not to be cancelled, and if it has been called off I would probably have wept. I needed to see it fly.
And when it did lift off it seemed like maybe a bit of that vast kinetic force managed to energise something somewhere inside me. That bit of me that has always loved stuff like Star Trek or Thunderbirds ever since I was a little kid. The bit of me that latched on to the hopefulness at the heart of that sci-fi stuff, it's message that we could all work together and save each other and build a better world. Hopefullness that has been fading in me now I'm getting older.
I think the Artemis launch just might have reignited a tiny spark. I'm glued to their progress. It fans the flame.
I know what you mean. I am of a certain age which means that I vaguely remember Sputnik, but absolutely Yuri Gargarin, Alan Shepherd, John Glenn, Gus Grissom and all the Astronauts and (some Cosmonauts - Valentina Tereshkova…).
We watched the first moon landing at lunchtime (whilst at university), and stayed up (in Australia) to watch the first Space Shuttle.
To see Artemis II lift off - that same feeling that you cite. Wonderful.
Followed on Instagram. TicToc is "There be dragons" for me.
You have summed up what Trump is and has done very well this week. The world is burning and it's controlled my a mad man with hate and dementia who is controlled by Putin! What could possibly go wrong?
I gave myself a brain cleanse and went and caught up with the astronauts instead. Actual people with functioning brains and an appreciation of beauty and science.
Hope your partner enjoyed her late breakfast or early lunch. It was cute hearing that in the background.
And if you've not discovered him, check out Matt Carrs Infernal Machine substack. A more academic perspective with deep understanding of conflict, but with the same anger.
Hello everyone, I buggered up the podcast this week and Substack won't let me change it so I've had to send it out again - with the right file this time. it shou;d be in your inbox or you can listen to it here: https://iandunt.substack.com/p/i-buggered-up-the-podcast-heres-the
Brilliant, Ian. You have summed the man up beautifully.
Brilliant. I really needed to read that today . Thank you for drawing the two events together so powerfully
‘And fast by hanging in a golden chain
This pendent world, in bigness as a star
Of smallest magnitude close by the moon.’
- Milton, Paradise Lost
Oh Ian. Thank you. Tears to my eyes, you f***er.
I can't help thinking that the world would be a much better place if politicians, and politics in general, adopted the principles of the scientific method. A rational evidence-based approach, robust but reasoned scrutiny, intellectual well thought out argument and discourse, diligence and attention to detail, and a long term commitment to finding solutions to some of humanity's most intractable problems.
Thanks! This piece is uplifting at a point where we feel most down. Literally. The portait of Trump fits the bill exactly. In the end, perhaps sooner than anyone thinks, our American friends will find a peaceful democratic way to dump this pathetic but destructive wreck of president.
"a cross between a corpse and a sullen teenager"
Particularly good 😂👍
Brilliant piece Ian.
I don't think I'd realised how much my body and mind had been crying out for some feeling of hope, until I started looking at the countdown on the NASA website on launch day.
Every time I checked it I felt a little more like I needed the launch not to be cancelled, and if it has been called off I would probably have wept. I needed to see it fly.
And when it did lift off it seemed like maybe a bit of that vast kinetic force managed to energise something somewhere inside me. That bit of me that has always loved stuff like Star Trek or Thunderbirds ever since I was a little kid. The bit of me that latched on to the hopefulness at the heart of that sci-fi stuff, it's message that we could all work together and save each other and build a better world. Hopefullness that has been fading in me now I'm getting older.
I think the Artemis launch just might have reignited a tiny spark. I'm glued to their progress. It fans the flame.
I know what you mean. I am of a certain age which means that I vaguely remember Sputnik, but absolutely Yuri Gargarin, Alan Shepherd, John Glenn, Gus Grissom and all the Astronauts and (some Cosmonauts - Valentina Tereshkova…).
We watched the first moon landing at lunchtime (whilst at university), and stayed up (in Australia) to watch the first Space Shuttle.
To see Artemis II lift off - that same feeling that you cite. Wonderful.
Thanks Ian. Great piece.
Podcast recording seems to be last week's!
Just came on to say that.
Same here…I thought I was having a technical hitch my end…
Cheers all - fixed now (kinda)
Brilliantly written, as ever. Happy Easter.
Great piece Ian. Loved it. A rare inspiration to read. Live long and prosper!
Followed on Instagram. TicToc is "There be dragons" for me.
You have summed up what Trump is and has done very well this week. The world is burning and it's controlled my a mad man with hate and dementia who is controlled by Putin! What could possibly go wrong?
I gave myself a brain cleanse and went and caught up with the astronauts instead. Actual people with functioning brains and an appreciation of beauty and science.
Hope your partner enjoyed her late breakfast or early lunch. It was cute hearing that in the background.
Perfect - the contrast is stark
And if you've not discovered him, check out Matt Carrs Infernal Machine substack. A more academic perspective with deep understanding of conflict, but with the same anger.
Lovely, and i truly love the live editing on the audio. You don’t often hear a writer write - seriously it’s a USP!