Conversation

• Are you happy? Why/Why not?
• What things make you happy/unhappy?
• What changes would you like to make in your life to make you happier?
• Can money buy you happiness? If so, how much?
• Are we obsessed with being happy?
• Do we deserve to be happy?
• Can we have too much happiness?
• Do drugs or alcohol make people happy?
• Do you think that concepts like mindfulness make us happier or sadder?

Podcast – A Recipe for Happiness  Listening

Article –True happiness isn’t about being happy all the time Reading

• Are you interested in art?

• What is the purpose of art?

• How should art be valued?

• Does art provide a valuable historic document?

• Is graffiti art?

• Do you have a favourite artist or artwork?

• Do you worry about the future? If so, what things do worry about and why?
• Had you ever heard of the Doomsday Clock? Do you think it’s necessary or a good idea?
• Are humans our own worst enemy?
• Were you aware of the existential threats mentioned in the article and podcast? Were you surprised by any of them?
• Which, if any of these threats, do you think is the most likely to happen?
• Do you think we can protect ourselves from these existential threats?
• Are you more or less worried about the future now than before you read the article and listened to the podcast?
• Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

• Do you enjoy travelling?
• What are the best and worst aspects of travelling?
• Is there a difference between travelling and tourism?
• Does travel really broaden the mind? Can you give a personal example of how travel has broadened your mind?
• How important is the travel industry in your country?
• What are the most memorable places you have visited?
• Are there any dream destinations on your bucket list?

• Why is the right to bear arms so important for some Americans?
• Have you ever fired a gun? Would you like to?
• Are there any good reasons to have a gun?
• Would you consider living in a society where people have the right to own guns?
• What type of gun controls would be most effective?

• Why do parents push their kids?
• Did your parents push you? If so, in what ways? If not, do you wish they had?
• Have you pushed your children? How much and in what areas of life? If not, do you wish you had pushed them more?
• Do you think that parents have unrealistic expectations for their children?
• Do children have too many extra-scholar activities these days?
• What ways can parents help children to succeed?
• Are all children capable of greatness if they are pushed?

• Why do people use social media?
• Do you use social media? If so, how often and what for?
• Do you know anyone who is addicted to social media?
• Do you think on balance that it has a positive or negative impact on society?
• Did you use social media more or begin to use it for the first time during the Covid pandemic?
• Do you think that social media influencers make us feel unhappy with our lives and/or appearance?
• Have you noticed the echo chamber effect happening to you?

Podcast – How bad is social media for my mental health? Listening

Article – ‘The Social Dilemma’: Are Facebook and Instagram Really Affecting Our Mental Health?. Reading

• Are you a workaholic?
• What consequences does overwork have on your health?
• Could you do the same amount of work in less time?
• What would the perfect work timetable be for you?
• Do you have enough time to do all the things you want and what would you do if you had more free time?

Podcast – The Cult of Overwork Listening

Article – Why do we buy into the ‘cult’ of overwork?. Reading

• Would you like to travel into space?
• Do you think it will ever be accessible to ordinary people?
• Is the human achievement worth the environmental cost?
• Does space tourism help develop new technology?
• Do you think humans will colonise space in the future?

Podcast – Branson, Bezos, And The Billionaires: The Future Of Space Tourism Listening

Article – First space tourist Dennis Tito: ‘It was the greatest moment of my life’ Reading

• Do you think there really is a “Big Tech Threat”?
• What are the consequences of monopolies and why are they seen as problematic?
• Is there enough regulation of global tech companies?
• Do you use any of these companies or do you try to avoid using them?
• If you owned a business would you consider selling it to one of these companies?

Podcast – The Big Tech Threat? Listening

Article – US tech giants accused of ‘monopoly power’ Reading

• Are you already or currently considering going vegan?
• Have you tried going vegan on a temporary basis (veganuary)?
• Do you think a vegan diet is healthier or less healthy than a traditional diet?
• Do you think we will all have to go vegan to protect the diet in the future?
• How easy do you think it is to follow a vegan diet in Spain?

Podcast – Is Veganism the Future? Listening

Article – The vegan era, or the end of carnal. Reading

• Are you vaccinated? Why or why not?
• Why do some people not want to get vaccinated?
• How can people be encouraged to get vaccinated?
• Should people be forced to get vaccinated?
• Are there any circumstances under which you wouldn’t get vaccinated?

Podcast – Vaccine Hesitancy: (Part 1) Listening

Article – COVID vaccines: time to confront anti-vax aggression Reading

• Does cancel culture curtail our freedom of speech?
• Do some people deserve to be cancelled?
• Is it wrong to judge people’s past comments by today’s standards?
• Should we change street names or remove statues dedicated to historical figures whose actions were unacceptable by today’s standards?
• Is cancel culture a left wing phenomenon?

Podcast – There is No ‘Cancel Culture’ Listening

Article – Cancel culture: Have any two words become more weaponised? Reading

• Did you know how polluting the fashion industry is?
• Why is the fashion industry so polluting?
• Why do you think fast fashion is so popular?
• Is fashion important to you?
• Do you think social media is responsible for our appetite for fast fashion?

Podcast – Costing the Earth: Fast Fashion Slow Down Listening

Article – Fast Fashion is Still a Big Threat to Our Environment — Here’s What Needs to Change Reading

• Have you already invested or would you invest in cryptocurrency? Why/why not?
• Is it damaging to the environment?
• Will cryptocurrency take over from physical money?
• Is cryptocurrency the currency of criminals?
• Is cryptocurrency the new Gold Standard?

Podcast – Cryptocurrency: What You Need To Know Now Listening

Article – The real victims of mass crypto-hacks that keep happening Reading