Tom and I had what was supposed to be a quick discussion about a couple of topics. It went on a bit…

We covered the following-

Racism in the UK

How do you solve big cultural issues such as race and gender?

Should we celebrate difference more?

Footballers ‘do’ deserve to be paid more than nurses.

Are people too stupid to help us get through the pandemic?

Does our government have too much power?

Trump!

Political obsession

Are pro-lifers treated unfairly?

Oh Canada

If you woke up tomorrow morning and were Prime Minister?

Music by Tom Munch.

Over the past year Tom Munch has been entertaining his fans through Facebook and while doing so he has had to learn upwards of 40 new songs a week to fulfil requests. In a troubling time for all of us we start off by answering a few music-related questions, but the discussion goes much deeper into what music means to all of us, and in particular in times of crisis. The result surprised me and it ended up likely being the best McGST episode to date (don’t tell Joanne I said that…).

Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here.

• What difference does recording or playback quality make? Why is modern music louder?
• What instantly turns you off of new music?
• How do you find new music?
• Do you know people with near identical tastes in music?
• Why do music and smells bring back such vivid memories?
• How important is music in times of crisis or illness?

References-

Steve Miller: Jungle Love
Edgar Winters Group: Frankenstein
Ultravox: Vienna

You can find out more about Tom at TomMunch.com and also read his blog which offers some insights into his deeper thoughts on music and the world around him.

The music in this episode is of course by Tom.

In this episode I answer the latest questions sent in by yourselves. Some people are getting angry…

What have you learned from lockdown and what will stay with you? Carl

Why do you love the EU so much? Look at the state of their vaccination program! Kris

Any advice for someone new starting a website? Adam (aged 15)

You are such an Apple fanboy! Lu-cern

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.

Joanne and I discuss #notallmen and it turned out to be quite a wide ranging discussion.

References: the tragic Sarah Everard case and this thread by Julie Cohen.

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.

What makes a mechanical watch special? There are almost too many reasons…

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.

What makes the not so special Apple Watch special? It’s a conundrum…

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.

What makes the Kindle so special? Is it because of everything it cannot do?

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.com.

In this short episode I try to answer a simple question. What makes the iPhone so special?

The best designs are invisible. They’re taken for granted because they just work in everyday life without any notice. This is why design is so important in everything. Oliur

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.com.

Somehow we got to episode 50 in which Joanne and I discuss the following-

Should bullies be forgiven for what they did at school?

Why do we let governments govern?

QUESTIONS-

Cats or Dogs? Millie

I want a 50th birthday Rolex, but my wife is against the idea even though we have the money for it. Any ideas? Stan

If we were told tomorrow that we have to lockdown for another year what would be the first thing you do? Terry

What next for the podcast? Jane

Music by Tom Munch.

More at McGST.com.

I intended to talk to Alice about the way we use casual sexism in speech, but we needed up discussing gender fluidity, gender-specific toys for children, gay / straight / bisexual, men and women, fathers and daughters, and mums and sons. She opened my old eyes to a younger world.

Music by Tom Munch.