🗞️ So what happened last week?

• Hey Britain, hardly working or working hard?

• Gen-Z needs to save some rizz for the rest of us

• It’s not Wicked - it’s discrimination

Get Britain Working?

(By Meridyth) To boost employment, Labour has unveiled an initiative to "Get Britain Working” again to address the 9 million people who are economically inactive (2.8 million are unable to work because of long-term sickness.) The plan is to fix the NHS and get people back to work faster. It also includes Jobcentre reforms, such as more education and training, as well as support for young people entering the workforce.

Sounds great, right? Not quite. Some feel that the hikes to employer NI and minimum wages are like telling businesses to hire more people while handing them a hefty bill. Retailers are already warning that job cuts are coming.

So while I’m not against increasing NI contributions or wages (actually I’m all for this last one), I remain highly sceptical that jobs will be created. Meanwhile, Labour’s motto of “if you can work, you must work” might inspire - if there were enough jobs left to take. For now, Britain isn’t “working”; it’s on hold.

🤜 🤛 Squabble Scale - 2 (I’m not giving you my last Rolo)

(By Alister) After years of low infrastructure investment and cuts to critical services, it’s a necessary evil. Like a dog holding a tennis ball, it only wants the ball thrown and never wants to give it back. The economy can’t just give give give.

After a decade of overly pro business policy changes, which have left workers behind, a rebalance was long due. There will never be a perfect time to make changes or adjustments. reality

Even complaints about brain drain, driving away businesses, and being anti-entrepreneurial, have been proven to be false in reality. Paying taxes is the privilege that comes with success, for businesses and individuals.

Time to fund the services and infrastructure which make this a great country, rather than just clapping for the NHS.

Swiping left on dating apps

(By Meridyth) Gen Zs in the UK are swiping left on dating apps. 600k users ditched Tinder profiles in 2023, while almost 400k shooed away Bumble. According to Ofcom, many feel these apps create shallow connections, leaving them more ghosted than wooed.

I couldn’t agree more. The awkwardness of messaging a complete stranger with something clever makes it feel like a massive chore. That and the immense disappointment of finally meeting, only to discover their photos were taken 5 years ago and a stone lighter.

So I love that spontaneous IRL meet-cutes are back in vogue. It’s goodbye to “What 3 items would you bring on a deserted island?” and hello to actual chemistry at coffee shops or parties.

🤜 🤛 Squabble Scale - 3 (Not gifting you Tinder Gold)

(By Alister) The younger generation with their more meaningful friendship groups are keeping it in the family (so to speak, not literately). I’m sure we’ll see these apps adjusting to a changing culture, it’s unlikely they’ll be going away.

As great as the pointless small talk and awkward rejections are, I wouldn’t have met my partner if it weren’t for dating apps. Despite working two blocks away and going to the same places, we never crossed paths, much less said hello to each other. These apps are only as shallow as you want them to be.

I don’t want to yuck someone’s yum, but I don’t miss the days of flirting within a social group or in-person rejections when you are out trying to enjoy yourself.

Green-skin trigger warning?

(By Meridyth) The BBFC’s (British Board of Film Classification) issued a “green skin” trigger warning for the film Wicked due to scenes of discrimination, specifically mocking and bullying directed at Elphaba, the green-skinned protagonist. It also highlights animal persecution and discrimination in favour of the able-bodied.

Labelling green skin as a trigger seems, quite frankly, over the rainbow. While discrimination themes are vital to the story, obsessing over a fantastical character’s pigmentation feels like reaching, even for Ozian levels of melodrama. Critics have pointed out that this type of caution leans towards unnecessary handholding.

While inclusive messaging matters, the entire story is about confronting and overcoming discrimination, making the warning feel quite unnecessary.

🤜 🤛 Squabble Scale - 1 (No need to be a bad witch)

(By Alister) On the surface it does feel like political correctness gone mad, but it’s following the rules the BBFC laid out. Even Mary Poppins got reclassified!

That said, any film which has discrimination as core theme and issue, should come with a trigger warning. American History X and Django Unchained are ever so slightly different films, they’d have the same warnings and rightfully so.

It’s a bit tongue in cheek and I’m all for people knowing what they’re about to get into. Though some research says trigger warnings don’t help, they create the expectation of being offended.

Does this mean Shrek needs a trigger warning too? Maybe just a warning for the implied scenes between donkey and the dragon?

🇬🇧 No squabble required

• 2 million Brits want another election according to Elon Musk and Nigel Farage’s promoted petition. Does that mean we revisit the petition to re-join the EU that got 6.1 million signatures? 🇪🇺 

• The Bake Off winner! The final bake and in dramatic fashion, we now have a winner… but who was it? 🍰 Find out here or avoid if you hate spoilers.

• Car makers pulling out the UK. For many years we have had an incredible tradition around auto manufacturing, the majority of F1 teams all exist in the same part of the UK. However, it’s another blow for the industry as 1,100 jobs are cut by Vauxhall, right after the 800 jobs at risk announcement by Ford. 🚗 

• Police 2, Cow 0. A police officer who (twice) ran over an escaped 10 month old calf has now returned to duty with no further punishment. Over 2,000 complaints, 250 videos, and 75 witness statements later, the Surry police force has promised to change their tactics around loose livestock. 🐄🚓 

🌎️ The rest of the world… according to us

• Moove it to the hospital. Once again raw milk is back on the menu in America. Many have seen this as a win for individual rights, others have been spreading preventable bacteria. Anyone looking for that authentic 18th century peasant experience, look no further. 🥛🦠 

• Notre-Dame due to open! Five years after the devastating fire, the doors will once again be open to visitors. If you’ve never been its a sight to behold! ⛪️ 

• Cutting connections. It’s not just Americans who have been cutting connections since the election. It seems China and Russia have been doing the same to the EU. 🖥️ After a visit to Russia, a Chinese ship was caught cutting the undersea cables between Finland, Lithuania, and Germany. Whilst it may seem deliberate, it’s not easy to prove. 🤔 

🍎 Healthier habits, happier you

• Baby, (don’t) light my fire. A new bill is moving forward which bans anyone born after 2009 from buying tobacco. It’s obviously health focused and the right thing to do. But it does raise the question between self liberty and being told what to do. 🚭️ 

🧦 The odd sock

• Manchester, we have a problem. A pilot at Manchester airport has recorded a UFO. Did you know it’s called a UAP now? Unidentified anomalous phenomena, which doesn’t have the same 80’s B-movie ring to it. 👽️ 

⭐️ Recommendations by Alister

I absolutely loved the Netflix show Culinary Class Wars. Have you wanted to see Michelin star chefs facing off against everyday chefs? That is the premise for the whole show. 🍳 

Another Korean hit, this show includes an English voice over and subtitles - although there is a lack of voice variety which can be confusing. They have a bit of the Bollywood style of tension and drama (showing the same moment repeatedly). It may start slow, focused mostly on introducing the competition and contestants, but let me tell you, it’s a fantastic experience.

Creating their own restaurants, blind tasting and judging, unusual ingredients, endless challenges going for hours, emotional backstories… and of course, cuisine that makes you wish you could lick your TV. It’s got incredible production value and it hammers home what separates the Michelin star holders from the rest of us. Don’t worry, season 2 has already been greenlit, and I can’t wait! 🙏 

🤣 What do you meme? This is America

(By Alister) As America finishes celebrating Thanksgiving day, it’s the perfect time to bring up this inspired thought piece on Insta by The Content Machine. (Meridyth: You’re off the invite for next year’s Thanksgiving dinner!)

Don’t worry, there was a response about life in the EU from the perspective of Americans, but the traitors can find that video themselves. 😇 

Whew, you made it!

We’re thrilled to see you survived Black Friday. We hope you join us again next week for another squabble!

Alister & Meridyth