Summary: <p>Who truly sets the standards for how countries should behave, and can we influence change without imposing our beliefs on others? Are bans on countries with societal unfairness hosting major events a solution, or does it inadvertently create echo chambers and hide underlying issues?</p> <p>In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow engage in a candid conversation, sparked by a question from listener, Kate in Rowstock, Oxfordshire, England, whose question is as follows:</p> <p>“A workman on my roof was shouting his views to his work colleagues the other day, do you agree with him? He said (and I’ve edited out his prolific swear words, 3 in one sentence at times. Not much room left for what he was saying!) </p> <p>During the football world cup in 2022 players and the sport were politicising the event by ramming the rainbow and gay rights down our throats. Some countries frown upon homosexuality, and that should be respected. Protest brings about change but is using sport that way a step too far? </p> <p>Surely the debate is better maintained by banning countries hosting and competing in these events if they have unfairness in their society, like Qatar does? Or will that push discrimination underground? </p> <p>Who decides if another countries views are wrong? Many powerful countries who criticise others have rules others don’t like either so are they really purer than pure? </p> <p>Surely dialogue and reason is the way to go? Although if we want diversity why do we hit countries over the head because of extreme beliefs? Gay, women, abortion, its all hypocritical. No culture is right but are we talking about fairness?”</p> <p>Stuart kicks things off by sharing his observations on profanity and intelligence, suggesting that there's more to it than meets the eye. William then raises the important question of cultural relativism, challenging our preconceived notions about what's right and wrong on a global scale. They both agree that timing plays a crucial role in using platforms like sporting events to protest effectively.</p> <p>Stuart emphasises the need to confront and engage with beliefs different from our own, while William suggests a practical approach of questioning the origins and motivations behind people's opinions, to facilitate meaningful dialogue. Every country has beliefs that other countries don’t have, don't agree with. For example the UK largely deny how things are connected with colonialism.</p> <p>Stuart believes there is a lot of homophobia that is wrapped up in pretend acceptance, and he feels that is why we haven’t moved on as a world society.</p> <p>This episode is a reminder that meaningful change begins with dialogue, and no disagreement has ever been resolved without people discussing and challenging their beliefs.</p> <p> </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>This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. </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
