Topics in 2023
What we discussed in 2023
This is what we talked about in 2023. Please have a look at our programme for 2024.
Happiness (15 September)
What makes us happy? Friends? Family? Security? Wealth? Achievements?
Academic studies often find that people think they are less happy than they used to be. Is this true?
Is the pursuit of happiness futile?
Power hungry (22 September)
There are proposals to phase out petrol powered cars and rely on electric ones. Similarly there are
plans to replace gas boilers with heat pumps for domestic heating. Can our electricity supply system
cope? What are the consequences if it can’t?
The NHS (29 September)
This year is the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS. Is it still doing a good job? Was it ever?
If it isn’t, what’s the reason? What are the implications for people who need long term care?
In our Time (6 October)
See below
What have the Romans done for us? (13 October)
They’ve influenced our language, our laws and our transport systems. Or have they? Would we have
developed much the same society without their influence?
What did the Normans do for us? (20 October)
…apart from invading and taking over. Arguably their influence is more recent than the Romans’ and
maybe it’s therefore more important. I’m sure one of us will know and the rest will argue with them.
Big numbers (27 October)
We’re all bamboozled by big numbers. Anything more than a thousand and our brains struggle to
cope with appreciating the size of it. How do we express numbers once we get past a trillion? How
many grains of sand are there on a beach? Can you think of a number that no one else ever has?
(Yes. It’s easy)
Unintended consequences (10 November)
Decisions have consequences. Sometimes they are what we expect, but sometimes you get
something entirely different. If governments do this the outcome can be serious. We’ll discuss a few
examples, and I’m sure members will bring their own examples.
Forgiveness (17 November)
People do bad things and are punished. Sometimes it doesn’t end there. The person might lose their
job, their family and friends, and their reputation. As a society should we be more forgiving? Or do
wrongdoers get what they deserve?
Prison and punishment (24 November)
Imprisonment has been used as a punishment for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Is there a
better way of dealing with those who offend?
Sainthood (1 December)
If you had the power, is there anybody you would nominate for Sainthood? What do you think it
means for somebody to be called a saint?
In our time (6 October)
The BBC has hundreds of episodes of its radio 4 programme “In our time” available on BBC Sounds
(what used to be iPlayer). It’s a discussion programme chaired by Melvyn Bragg and it covers a wide
range of topics: art, sciences, religion, history etc. A bit like our discussion group, but perhaps not so
learned. Group members are invited to suggest an episode for the rest of us to talk about. We can
even listen to it beforehand if we want. We can do 2 or 3 of these if we haven’t thought of any more
topics.
Member’s choice (3 November)
A group member will suggest a topic for us to discuss. No prior warning given. A bit like “in our time”
but you don’t have to listen to a radio programme.