
The Last Word with Matt Cooper
The Week Trending: 72-Hour Emergency Kit, Ireland Advised To Join The Commonwealth & Spicebag Added To The Dictionary
Mar 28, 2025
Lise Hand, a seasoned journalist, and Dion Fanning, co-host of the 'Free State' podcast, dive into this week's hot topics. They discuss the European Union's push for 72-hour emergency kits amidst rising global tensions, reflecting on the implications of fear and national identity for Ireland. The pair also celebrate the inclusion of culturally significant terms like 'spice bag' in the Oxford English Dictionary, exploring the evolving nature of language and identity. Their conversation is both informative and infused with wit, making for an engaging listen.
24:18
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The EU's recommendation for households to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit reflects rising global tensions and concerns about potential crises.
- Public reactions to the EU's preparedness call include anxiety about threats and skepticism regarding the motivations behind the survival kit suggestions.
Deep dives
EU's Call for Emergency Preparedness
The European Commission has urged households to stockpile essentials for 72 hours in response to rising global tensions, including wars and climate crises. This recommendation highlights a sense of urgency amid fears of potential crises that could affect Europe, urging citizens to prepare for emergencies by gathering items like food, water, and medicine. The recommendation draws parallels to Cold War-era safety protocols, evoking memories of 'duck and cover' drills taught to schoolchildren during nuclear threat discussions. Additionally, countries like Finland and Sweden have historically maintained similar preparedness strategies, underscoring a growing concern that such practices should be normalized across all EU member states.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.