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Simon Godfrey's avatar

I disagree. It's by reflecting on the work of others that independent thought is achieved. The burden is ensuring the quality and diversity of your inputs.

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Simon Maughan's avatar

Thanks Simon - I am experimenting with more tongue-in-cheek titles, so thank you for highlighting the falsehood in the subheading.

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Simon Godfrey's avatar

I need to lighten up!

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Simon Maughan's avatar

The reader is never wrong Simon. The lesson is for the writer. My thanks for the feedback is sincere.

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JOHN BLOOMFIELD's avatar

The late, great Hitch provided us with two quotes which should form the basis of any genuinely free society.

"never seek refuge in the false security of consensus"

"Progress was never achieved via consensus"

Around these he cited John Milton - Areopagitica, , Thomas Paine - Age of Reason, John Stuart Mills - Liberty and Rosa Luxemburg

I agree with you that the best time to listen to any podcast is arguably when in motion but also in tranquility (noise reducing headphones resolve the latter issue)

I do think the value of the podcast, like a modern day Gutenberg Press provides access to information, data and dialectic the mainstream media choose not to disseminate, and even if I do find myself drifting towards confirmation bias both in terms of what is said and how this manifests in financial markets, they have proven invaluable in seeking a path towards a better picture of what is going on in the world

They and yourself are invaluable to this end because, to echo your point about history repeating itself, the citing of what has gone before with a critical analysis far better equips us to understand what lies ahead, and I think it is this which puts the fear of God into governments whose only response is censorship

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Simon Maughan's avatar

John your point about a good pair of headphones is invaluable. Mine have to double up for walking and the gym, which means they must be small and sweat resistant and still have a big sound. I have yet to find the perfect pair - maybe readers could submit their recommendations for gadgets as well?

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