Why do we do this podcast?  We do it to stop the big issues slipping into the shadows. We talk about listener questions as that's what's important to them, and always try to bring it back to the natural world in some way. We have the conversations that need having. It’s not the usual ambience in this episode, as we are back out in Stuart’s courtyard garden again. So expect some interesting background sounds. Shreenika, Western Province, Sri Lanka is the listener tasked with asking the first question.  “How often does ego permeate human consciousness on an individual basis and how damaging is it?” Your co-hosts Stuart and William feel ego is like that one song that gets stuck in your head—permanently permeating human consciousness. But if it’s left uncontrolled, it’s like an annoying earworm that just won’t quit! Removing ego would be like stripping a pizza of its toppings—you’re left with a bland nothing. Ego’s a good tool, but a terrible master. It’s like having a pet tiger: assertive when needed, but you better know when to back off!” Ego’s always there, lurking in the shadows. Like that neighbour who insists on borrowing your lawnmower every weekend.” So, let’s treat ego like a Swiss Army knife—useful, but not the boss. Be aware of its role, wield it wisely, and don’t let it take over the show! Yusuf, Kocaeli, Turkey asks the second listener question  “Are we overly obsessed with what day of the week it is, or is that another example of how we categorise things. This time, time itself?” William believes we’re overly obsessed with what day of the week it is. He particularly likes the saying “it does feel like a Monday today”, yet,  what is a Monday actually meant to feel like? Stuart has worked a lot on his own over the years, and he always mixed up his working week schedule as he didn’t want to feel that he was on a treadmill. When he had staff, he found they struggled with that unpredictability. Stuart feels we are obsessed with categorising. This can be damaging. This can be a barrier to quick adaptation. William feels that the week comes from the structure of schooling, and on the topic of working hours, there are times we are extremely productive, and times we aren’t, but we still need to sit at our desk till our allotted time is done. For what conceivable reason would any employer or employee want to engage in such an activity when looking at the bigger picture? What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠[email protected] We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers. This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.  Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: https://www.change.org/p/improve-the-oxfordshire-countryside-accessibility-for-all-disabilities-and-abilities Fundraiser For An Extreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wildmanonwheels Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠ , support our work through Patreon ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside