Summary: <p>Join hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow in this thought-provoking episode, sparked by a question from listener, Rob from East Lockinge, Oxfordshire, England. Focusing on the world of museum culture, they delve deep into the complex issue of artefact ownership, colonialism's lingering legacy, and the stories we choose to tell. The question sent in by Rob is as follows:</p> <p>“British museums could ultimately close if they start returning artefacts and exhibits obtained due to colonisation? It could be the thin end of the wedge with loads more things being returned to their original cultural owners. If the floodgates are opened institutions like Cambridge University could also be returning stolen colonial treasure as it were, that they use for educational purposes. </p> <p>Even though there's no law enforcing the return of items, it is perhaps a good time to really progress this, especially as more new requests are coming in from the original owners. Do you feel telling the story of these items is best done collaboratively and fairly? Not in a protectionist approach that risks distorting the item's story and its cultural relevance now, today?”</p> <p>During this episode Stuart reminds us of the profound impact of colonialism on the industrial revolution, and on the very fabric of society in the UK, and how confronting this history is essential for finding answers to the questions posed. He asks, who do these collections of items in museums really serve? We need to be telling the whole story, including the good and the bad.</p> <p>William delves into the significance of understanding the origins of these items and the permissions granted for their display. Is an item's educational value determined by its backstory and the care taken in its presentation? What lies at the heart of a museum's mission?</p> <p>As always this podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. </p> <p>What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to <a href="mailto:thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com">thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com</a></p> <p>We like to give you an ad free experience, so be assured, that will never happen. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.</p> <p>Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view"> https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view</a> , support our work through Patreon<a href="https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside"> https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside</a> or just 'follow' to avoid missing any public posts. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:<a href="https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside"> https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside</a></p> --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message
