The Social Delusion

PSA: this is going to be our last ever podcast episode! Over the last few months there’s been a lot going on for the guys here at The Social Delusion, so we’ve decided to put the podcast in the backseat while we focus on exciting things to come.

In this episode we talk one last time about what’s happening in the news- from the new vaccine (& whether we’ll take it!) to coming out of lockdown again... as well as the Sainsbury’s Christmas ad that caused so much controversy.

We end the episode reminiscing on the whole experience of doing a podcast together & discussing what comes next for us all. We hope you’ve loved this journey as much as we have, & thank you for rocking with us this year. It’s truly been a pleasure... Over & out!

As we’re now approaching the festive season, our TV screens & social media feeds are becoming filled with Christmas adverts from all of our favourite brands & retailers. In this episode, we take a look at changing buying habits as consumers start to spend more (even during a pandemic!). We consider the possible correlation between social media and today’s spending psyche - where there seems to be more of a need to have the latest items & keep up to a lifestyle that’s possibly not sustainable. We also discuss some of the financial & environmental implications this mentality is having on our society.

The constant awareness of our physical appearance has never been so intensified due to the socially charged world that we live in. In today’s episode, we open up about how our appearances have affected us personally as guys and what the road looks like when it comes to self-love and finding peace in ourselves. We also discuss some of our concerns for the younger generation who live in a digital age that is constantly feeding them a false preconception of beauty & the implications of that.

We’re stepping into a week where the government have just announced a month-long national lockdown & America are about to find out who’s going to be their president for another 4 years. TIP: It’s a lot to deal with all at once & disconnecting from social media might just be the ideal remedy for our well-beings. We look at whether we needed another lockdown or if the government have once again acted a tad too late. Also, with our friends across the pond on the cusp of finding out the results of the elections this week, we discuss if the saying “better the devil you know than the angel you don’t” (as Toni puts it) has any truth in it.

In a world that constantly requires us to seek validation and recognition from our social circles, we unpack the idea of being a people pleaser; where does it stem from? Is it something that we can just switch off? Is it just an insecurity problem or is the root of the issue deeper than that? We discuss some of our experiences and how we’re learning when to say yes and how to say no in order to take control of our lives.

With Covid cases shooting up once again in the UK & the government introducing a 3-tier system nationwide to reduce the spread of the virus, we discuss the impact of these new restrictions on an already high unemployment rate. A cyber ad that was back by the government which insinuated that creatives need to rethink their careers in this current condition caused a lot of controversy, especially in the performing arts industry. In this episode, we evaluate whether the government are right to raise this concern to an industry that’s been seriously affected by the pandemic, or if it was an insult to the creative industry which is somewhat under-appreciated.

In our first episode under our new name, it was only right to discuss a social dilemma that a lot of people face- sharing their relationship to the entire online community. We talk about some of our experiences of when we felt it was the right time to do this & to what extent do we take it to when it comes to sharing such information. We also look at what the actual point of doing this is & the possible implications that comes with that new territory.

Yeah you heard it right, Rest In Peace to BGST - but just the name!! We aren’t going anywhere! Today we reflect on what’s been going on with the podcast over the last couple of weeks & the new direction that we’re taking it. We also have a brief conversation on some of the latest government guidelines & who’s really to blame for all the confusion.

The search for a partner can sometimes feel like criteria checklist- How tall are they? Can they cook? Are they religious? Do they make enough money? Today we discuss some of our non-negotiables (do we even have any?), as well as some of the generic ones we normally hear about. We also ask the question if a non-negotiable can be flexible as well as what’s the fine line between staying true to who you are, & changing certain traits of oneself as a result of being in a relationship with someone.

Welcome to the digital age. Our conversation today may make you want to run away and with nothing but a tin foil hat! We discuss some of the hidden dangers and realities of social media...especially since we all can't live without it. We talk about some of the ways we can be conscious about what we consume and social media companies really see us. Also we have fun struggling to keep Jack's mic in position.