This time last week, we were making the painful decision to let our beloved dog Freddy go. It’s been a very strange week since – the house is SO quiet – and we miss him, but what I wanted to talk about last week still holds true – we are in an age when it’s all just so icky. I mean, the Pam Bondi deposition represents this truth very clearly – worth a read: Dear Pam Bondi, (A Letter From A Father).
Icky, according to Merriam-Webster means offensive to the senses or sensibilities: distasteful. That about nails it, right?
One of the real issues – for me – is watching our news feeds overrun with stories of powerful men (and some women) speaking so disrespectfully about women and girls, including their most intimate body parts. It is so obvious that they have absolutely no respect for any of us, but especially the victims of these terrible crimes. It’s a raw display of how those who lead us think, and frankly, it’s abhorrent.
A sordid example – ‘I gave another girl to Kimbal’: Inside Epstein’s honey-trap targeting Elon Musk through his brother | Fortune.
And some insight – Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott | The Guardian.
It’s had a big impact on me. I don’t often get in the doldrums about the news – no matter how bad it is – but as I’ve said before, I can’t brush it off all the time. I shared this podcast with my community last week. It was cathartic hearing two people speak about how the news was affecting them like it was affecting me. Have a listen and see if it does the same for you – Raging Moderates: Confronting the Ethical Vacuum Exposed by Trump and Epstein –The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway – Apple Podcasts.
The story – and fall-out – from the latest dump of the Epstein files will be playing out for a long, long time, and while it’s weird no one in the US is really facing any repercussions, those in other countries under intense scrutiny will eventually point fingers towards the guilty in the US. How can it not happen? When convictions start piling up outside the protection of Trump and his lackeys in the DOJ, FBI, etc… the guilty will be laid bare. I believe it, so patience is required right now.
An example: Investigation into Mandelson’s Epstein links will go back to Tony Blair era.
And another: The Epstein scandal is taking down Europe’s political class. In the US, they’re getting a pass. – POLITICO.
As an aside, this isn’t about Epstein, but about AI, and it’s the article that inspired the use of the word “ick” – They Built Stepford AI and Called It “Agentic”. A great read.
It’s getting hotter!
The BIG environmental story this week is the discussion around accelerated global heating. We’re moving into an El Niño year too, which means even more heating, so hang onto your hats. It’s going to get hotter.
Here’s some recent reporting
- Scientists See Growing Risk of ‘Hothouse Earth’ as Warming Gains Pace – Yale E360
- Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say | Climate crisis | The Guardian
- How a warming planet could turn Iceland into a glacier – Anchorage Daily News
Here is an interesting take on why it’s happening. Worth a read: THE VANISHING CLOUDS – Russ George.
In the meantime, we are in La Nina, and the Global South is on fire. What happens when El Niño strikes? Record heat and raging fires ring in 2026 across the Southern Hemisphere | Reuters.
Here’s what we can exact – Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs in 2027 | El Niño southern oscillation | The Guardian.
I’ve talked and shared a lot from Gil Duran of The Nerd Reich, and I found this conversation really fascinating. It’s so good, I’m going to watch it again. Very important knowledge.
There’s a lot more going on, so I recommend clicking through to the news page and you’ll get a comprehensive update on what is going on. I update this daily.
My friend’s content and mine
I planned to share this last week, but life got in the way. It was an absolute pleasure to join the Environmental Coffee House team to have a wide-ranging conversation on the polycrisis. Thank you Sandy for having me, there was so much more we could have covered. I also can’t wait to listen to your latest with Prof. Eliot Jacobson. He’s terrific.
Big thanks to Nick Jonsson for hosting me on The Limitless Podcast, to discuss the polycrisis in relation to leaders and founders. Very grateful for the opportunity.
And finally, a privilege to speak to the fabulous Jenn Villalobos on what life has been like living in exile from her home country, Venezuela, for nearly 30 years. It’s hard to comprehend and important for all of us to understand.
Dig into the news
The world news page is updated daily, so check in whenever it suits you. It covers news and thought leadership across all issues relevant to the polycrisis, as well as some light stuff, because we can’t be serious all the time. To get to the news, click through on the image below, and a reminder, this goes 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
If you want to support my work, please share my work, subscribe to my social channels, or at least buy me a coffee here.
The Sh*t Show – back, February 27th
The Sh*t Show is a Livestream happening every Friday, where Andrea T Edwards, Dr. David Ko, Richard Busellato and Joe Augustin, as well as special guests, discuss the world’s most pressing issues across all angles of the polycrisis, working to make sense of the extremely challenging and complex times we are all going through, plus what we can do about it. Help us move the needle so we can change the name of the show to something more genteel when (or if) it is no longer a sh*t show.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation
Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone.
You can buy it on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Booktopia, Smashwords, Kobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.
Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.
You can read the reviews, including a new five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another on Book Commentary and Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.
Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group One Billion People with Uncommon Courage.
Listen in to the Uncommon Courage, the podcast on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published.
18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?
Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman
Feedback
Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.