Spectator Out Loud: Lionel Shriver, Angus Colwell and Toby Young
Feb 3, 2024
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Lionel Shriver questions if Trump can get a fair trial in America. Angus Colwell interviews Gen-Zers who would fight for Britain. Toby Young shares his near-death experience on his gap year.
The awarding of a hefty financial penalty in the defamation case against Donald Trump raises questions about the fairness of trials involving him and suggests a potential political motivation behind the decision.
The growing reluctance among Gen Z to join the military and fight for Britain is influenced by various factors including discomfort with strict discipline, concerns about the physical demands of war, disillusionment with the current political class, and societal changes like the rise of wokeness.
Deep dives
Jury's defamation award against Donald Trump deemed excessive
Lionel Shriver critiques the jury's decision to award 83.3 million dollars in damages to E. Jean Carroll for defamation against Donald Trump. Shriver questions whether a similar case against a defendant other than Trump would have resulted in such a hefty financial penalty. She suggests that the scale of the award was politically motivated and raises concerns about the fairness of trials involving Trump.
Gen Z's reluctance to fight for Britain
Angus Colwell explores the growing reluctance among Gen Z to join the military and fight for Britain. He discusses the various reasons behind this hesitation, such as discomfort with strict discipline, concerns about the physical demands of war, and disillusionment with the current political class. Colwell also highlights the impact of societal changes, including the rise of wokeness, on young people's attitudes towards military service.
The Roman legionary life on Hadrian's Wall
Harry Mount delves into the challenging and often grim life of a Roman legionary stationed on Hadrian's Wall. He shares insights from the Vindalanda letters, which reveal the legionaries' disdain for the English weather and their struggles with the demanding conditions. Mount also explores aspects of Roman life, such as hygiene, leisure activities, and the importance of military discipline.
On this week’s episode, Lionel Shriver asks if Donald Trump can get a fair trial in America (00:39), Angus Colwell speaks to the Gen-Zers who would fight for Britain (08:25), Matthew Parris makes the case for assisted dying (13:15), Toby Young tells the story of the time he almost died on his gap year (20:43), and Harry Mount tells us about the grim life of a Roman legionary (25:38).
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