The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast
From Branches to Bytes: Real Change or Token Effort?
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Episode notes
Thanks for stopping by and wasting your precious time with us. This is the first full episode of 2025, and we’re kicking off the New Year with an explicit bang. Consider yourself warned: Enjoy!
Simon, from Chiselhampton, Oxfordshire, England sets question one - “What do you think of all the banks closing their branches and forcing customers online, and do you think that reflects anything about our approach to living sustainably?”
William’s having a bit of a meltdown because his bank decided that actual branches are a bit too 20th century. Everything’s got to be done online now. He goes on a rant about how some things are just better face to face rather than through a screen. It’s all very dehumanizing, you know.
Stuart, being his usual observant self, tells a story about being in his bank branch and overhearing the manager say, “You can do all this from your bed on your phone. Why even bother getting up and coming here?” Stuart’s pretty sure this is just the bank’s way of making branch closures sound like a brilliant idea.
William tries to argue that closing branches reduces unnecessary journeys to the bank. Stuart isn’t buying it; he thinks people actually want to get out and be part of the community.
The conversation then shifts to the idea of the 15-minute city. Stuart highlights the irony in people thinking it’s both a way to trap us and a reason for local shops to close.
Stuart wraps up with the idea that forcing everything online is just a way to make more money for shareholders by cutting out branches and overheads.
Ashton, in Whitfield, Kent asks the next question - “Having just watched the closing ceremony of the 2024 ParaOlympics, do you really think it will make a difference to society? Is it representation or honest integration we need now? How do you think the competitors dealt with the media, getting the word out there? Do you think merging para events with mainstream ones like at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is a good idea?”
Stuart watched the Paralympics but feels a bit guilty about not enjoying it. His boredom stemmed from the sheer number of events and categories, all crammed together for TV. It was over in a flash, leaving no time to turn the athletes into recognizable personalities.
Stuart goes on about the impact the Paralympics have on people’s perceptions. He mentions a chat between a Paralympian and a member of the public, who naively thought, “If someone in a wheelchair can go 26 miles, why can’t you get to the shops?” Of course, the obvious answer is that they’re elite athletes, not your average Joe.
Stuart brings up the organization Every Body Moves, which he heard about during the Paralympics. Here’s the link to them: everybodymoves.org.uk/
Stuart wraps up by saying he’d love to hear the athletes' genuine thoughts, not just their media-trained responses. He acknowledges that some athletes shared personal stories that did help push the narrative forward.
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