I’ve been watching as many of the UN speeches as I can, but I’ll never be able to get through it all. One big take-away is it feels like the leaders across our world have gotten their spine back. More so in the Global South, and I am cheering it on. Whether it’s the genocide in Gaza, the horrifying conditions in Sudan, the planetary crisis, and everything in between, countries big and small are speaking up with renewed strength.
This is what we need. Real strength, real courage, and while the conversation around the UN’s relevance continues, I will always argue that we must do everything we can to protect it, but we must also demand it is recreated for the world we live in, AND set it up for success, which includes relevant levels of funding.
Too many argue that it is irrelevant, but honestly, we need it more than ever. We must make sure it succeeds, because there is nothing else, not even close. The IMF and the World Bank need similar transformations for the world we are moving into.
Anyhoo, after Trump’s appalling speech, Netanyahu’s too, there was a lot to be hopeful about. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, is always worth listening to, and definitely a #WomanIAdmire.
A couple more pieces to highlight from the UN
- Trump’s U.N. address is a fire hose of climate change misinformation
- Is Trump Destroying the United Nations – The Rest Is Politics – Apple Podcasts
- ‘Deranged’, ‘staggering’, ‘incoherent’: Papers react to Trump’s UN speech • FRANCE 24 English
- “The UN Is Completely Bankrupt”: World Organization Collapses While Global Aid Disappears Forever
On The Sh*t Show I’ve introduced a new section, where I list the news we’re not going to talk about. It seems to be a popular addition. The reason I do it is because there is so much happening in a week, big news that happened on Monday is almost out of our minds by Friday. This is the world of overwhelm.
It’s driving us all crazy too, but we MUST pay attention to the information that matters. I am never one to put my head in the sand, and while I understand why many people do, the truth is we can’t get ready for the future that is coming if we don’t pay attention in the present.
We need to listen to the experts, take their advice and get to work. Our leaders are not going to do what’s required… except maybe in Singapore where I live. The rest? Nope. You’ll be on your own.
The best way to make sure we are informed, is to spend dedicated time every day, across multiple media sources, getting a sense of what is happening and what is important. A regular commitment helps you syphon through the bullshit, understand what really matters, and arms you with the knowledge to make decisions for yourself and your family.
Of course, many are really struggling with mental health these days, so it’s not for everyone, but if it is for you, let me help you. It’s why I do these reads. Click on the image below and you’ll get that array of media I suggested.
Right, so what else is going on?
I’ll be brief this week. I know we’ve covered the UN, but this whole escalator/teleprompter thing was bonkers! And it was their fault.
I’m glad the Meidas Touch Network is keeping them honest!
We are being gaslit everywhere today and most can’t see it – Gaslighting Democracy and the Double Bind of Truths.
A good overview if you’re interested in what’s going on in the US – Trump’s Authoritarian Push Stalls On Multiple Fronts.
I’m expecting this to be top of the news on The Sh*t Show this coming week – please let it not be what it looks like it’s going to be. That would be nuts – FAQ for Senior Military Officers at Hegseth’s Quantico Meeting. For example…
Larry Ellison is one to watch – is he the latest addition to the Nerd Reich? How Larry and David Ellison reached the peak of their wealth – and political power | CNN Business.
Australia, things are probably going to get crazy over the next few months – stay safe: Sudden 30C temperature rise over Antarctica upends Australia’s spring outlook – ABC News.
Ladies, this is amazing news. Finally, there might be an answer and solution to this terrible, crippling illness, and hey, it looks like someone finally listened to women – A deeper understanding of endometriosis is suggesting new treatments | New Scientist.
This is one of the MOST important reads I’ve ever shared – we are getting dumber! And we better turn this around, because we don’t want to go into that future… unfortunately, we’re well on the way – The dawn of the post-literate society – by James Marriott.
If you don’t want to read it (chortle) you can watch James in this interview – The dawn of post-literate society – with Jared Henderson and James Marriott.
If you read it, you’ll know our kids are expected to spend 25 years of their lives on phones (crikey!!) and this is where it all came from – From Dorm Room to Default – How Voyeurism Became a Business Model. The Tech Broligarchs screwed up our societies with their total lack of responsibility for social media; they now own AI – the most powerful technology ever developed by humans – AND we also have the smart glasses shenanigans added to the mix. What could possibly go wrong? We need to seriously think about why this isn’t a good idea. We leap into new tech without considering the consequences – Meta’s Smart Glasses Might Make You Smarter. They’ll Certainly Make You More Awkward | WIRED.
And then there’s this – No One Knows What ‘Terminally Online’ Means Anymore | WIRED.
BTW, if you don’t want to get dumber, perhaps avoid junk news. Honestly, it destroys your soul – Junk News is Like Junk Food | Ad Fontes Media.
Also this, the link between Autism and Tylenol, my word – listen to Dr Peter Hotez –“Science Under Siege”: Dr. Peter Hotez on Trump, Tylenol & Autism | Democracy Now!
Talking about the prediction of a future with mystical thinking as a driving force, we were also awaiting the Rapture this week. Trust me, I have respect for people of faith, but what do you do when it doesn’t happen? Just believe in a new date? The Rapture Was Predicted to Happen Today. TikTok Has Some Advice. – The New York Times.
Typhoon Ragasa was horrendous and some of the footage has been terrifying. But check out this footage from China. With global warming, it’s going to get worse.
I know an escalator breaking down at the UN gets front page news, but this is the biggest news in the world right now, the 7th Planetary Boundary has been trangressed.
News from Potsdam – Seven of nine planetary boundaries now breached – ocean acidification joins the danger zone — Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and an article in the Guardian – World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life | Ocean acidification | The Guardian. Breaching one boundary is catastrophic… seven?!?
There’s a new term in town, flash droughts – Weatherwatch: Flash droughts come on quickly but effects can wreak havoc | Drought | The Guardian.
The news of Charlie Kirk’s murder has had less attention, while Erika Kirk is getting a lot more attention (some interesting stuff coming out), and there was also an ICE shooting, which was immediately blamed on the extreme left. Some coverage you might have missed:
- The ICE Shooter’s Motive – Ken Klippenstein
- ‘Anti-ICE’ message on ammunition at Dallas shooting that killed immigration detainee
- Kirk memorial’s religious and political mix hints at future of MAGA movement
- Erika Kirk: Romania, Israel, and the Shadow of Controversy
- With Calls for Retribution Over Kirk, Some See Rise of a ‘Woke Right’ – The New York Times
- 🚨Charlie Kirk’s Widow Just Got Caught In A New Scandal
Alright, there is plenty more going on in the world, but this gives you a flavour.
My friends, it is time to unite, it is time to join the fight, it is time for all the amazing people in the world to come together and say NOT ON MY WATCH!! Please step in, too many are stepping out, and that will guarantee a path we do not want. We must ALL find our spines today.
Visual storytelling
Does this get an amen?
Far right machismo…
Imagine if we all did something to help someone or something in need? Wouldn’t that be magic?
My name is Andrea Edwards and I support this message.
Ironic, no?
The distractions are everywhere, and they are DANGEROUS!!
Tantrum Trump!
The most important people in the world right now, the experts, are carrying a very heavy burden. I’ll always have their back, for what it’s worth.
My content and my friends
Big shout out to Joseph Masembe, CEO and founder of Little Hands Go Green, as well as Regional Director, Climate Change Advocacy, East Africa. Such a gentleman and he is doing AMAZING work with children across East Africa. His organisation has planted 872,000 trees. Imagine if we all did something like this?
Last week we had Tobias Wilson on The Sh*t Show and I decided to cut the interview out – and apologies, not my finest work, but the comments made it hard to edit. Anyhoo, Tobs is doing great work and it’s a story worth hearing. This is the sort of action we need everyone to take. You don’t have to do what he’s doing but we all need to be doing something. Start at home if that’s all you’ve got to give. Remember, we’ve got to reduce our energy and consumption by about 70% – let’s get going!
I just loved this line. So simple, and so true. Action is the path out of despair too.
Final piece, after listening to Nate Hagens, Dr. Reid Meloy and Dr. Nancy McWilliams discuss the Dark Triads and the Dark Tetrads, I did this summary. REALLY important to know. It’s at the core of our challenges right now – Understanding dark triad and tetrad personality traits – Andrea T Edwards.
Dig into the news
As always, there’s plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform has articles going back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.
Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.
Cheers
Andrea
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