The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Monkeypox has hit the headlines with its spread in Europe. What is it? How do we deal with it? And should we be worried? With people on high alert to illnesses due to COVID, we unpack the differences and put context around what’s really going on. Dr. Charlotte Hammer, a fellow in emerging infectious diseases at Downing College Cambridge, explains the virus to Jacob Jarvis.  “Monkeypox actually does not come from monkeys, it comes from rodents in central Africa.”  “The symptoms are pretty unspecific. A fever, backache and muscle pain, progressing onto a rash are all common.”  “In medical terms, monkeypox is a mild but unpleasant disease.” “At the moment, there is very limited risk to the general population.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As scientists seek extraterrestrial life, what would we do if we actually found it? How would we manage first contact, and could we even communicate with aliens? Franck Marchis, a senior planetary astronomer from the SETI Institute, unpacks the prospect with Andrew Harrison – and the idea aliens might already know we’re here, but we’re too boring for them to care. “The most important question is intelligent life.”  “This discovery will not be a big surprise for a lot of humans on this planet.”  “If we find a civilisation slightly more advanced to us, maybe 100 years, they may be much more intelligent in terms of technology.”  “We may not see them because perhaps their technology is invisible to us.”  “We have been visible as a civilisation for at least 100 years, so they know we are here if they have slightly better technology.”  “I believe that there is microbiological life everywhere, but the key thing is the I in SETI - intelligence.” “It's obvious if you analyse our planet that there is a civilisation there.” “Maybe the future of our civilisation is purely mechanical or technological rather than biological.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Prime Minister is caught red wine handed, we discuss the crises facing Britain alongside the partygate furore. We unpack the further issues looming as the cost of living situation goes from bad to worse. Is there an end in sight? Plus, why do we still pay so much attention to newspaper front pages? Lord Peter Ricketts, former national security adviser and ambassador to France, is this week’s guest.  “I don’t know why you would bring someone along to photograph your crime.” – Ahir Shah  “The only reason I can see for the Government not introducing a windfall tax is that it’s Labour’s idea.” – Ahir Shah  “It’s always popular with the Tory right to cut the Civil Service.” – Peter Ricketts “There’s one person who sets the culture in Government and that’s the Prime Minister.” – Peter Ricketts  “The world is beset with a whole series of different crises.” – Peter Ricketts “Those who are going to carry the blame for this are the civil servants, they’ve been lined up as scapegoats here.” – Peter Ricketts  “We’ve got a very rocky few years ahead.” – Peter Ricketts  “The frontpage is a news outlet's way of signalling to its readers what they should be paying attention to.” – Yasmeen Serhan https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Andrew Harrison with Ahir Shah and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sue Gray’s final partygate report is due, meaning a long week ahead for Boris Johnson. What can we expect it to contain? Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis continues to deepen. Is a windfall tax on energy companies inevitable? Plus, we discuss Australia’s new Prime Minister and the latest from Ukraine. Justin Quirk is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the days ahead. “It’s damaging the Government all the time because it has reversed all their soft ratings.” — Alex Andreou  “The charge of dishonesty is really difficult to get out of.’ – Alex Andreou  “A windfall tax is entirely logical.” – Alex Andreou  “Scott Morrison's loss is a blow to Johnson's government." – Alex Andreou "The notion that you're a shyster getting away with stuff sticks with the public." – Alex Andreou Presented by Justin Quirk with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NEW PODCAST: In a brand new 6-part series, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey explore the histories of the most misrepresented ideas in politics. Here’s a taster of the first episode: McCarthyism. Was it really a crusade against communists or just a grifter’s opportunity that got out of hand? How did a witch-hunt morph into a way to denounce any critic, no matter who? And did Joe McCarthy really write the rulebook for Trumpism?Get the full episode here: https://kite.link/OS1McCarthyBack Origin Story on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/originstorypodWritten and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Audio production by Jade Bailey and Alex Rees. Music by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blows to the head are commonplace in a range of sports – why do the risks often go unspoken? What happens to the brain when athletes take these knocks? Alex Rees speaks to Hana Walker-Brown about her book A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice, in which she chronicles degenerative brain disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and the tragedies which have gone under the radar.  “There are things that are changing, but they’re changing very slowly.”  “The rules need to come from above and be implemented.”  “It’s important to note, concussion is a brain injury.” “To consider that sport might have to change gets people’s backs up.” “There’s something about the thrill of watching people get hurt.”  “The brain needs to be protected.”  https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by TBC. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pop culture roundup: Can we plumb the depths of Kendrick Lamar’s dazzling, disturbing Mr Morale & The Big Steppers? Has Harry Styles squared the teen idol/suave-pop circle? UK hip-pop talent Murkage Dave joins us. The songwriting genius of Michael Head. And Night Sky, an Amazon drama about the portal to outer space in Sissy Spacek’s back garden. Really. Journalist Johnny Davis of Esquire and The Face rounds out the panel. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunkTidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064bPresented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic and Elina Ganatra. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Authoritarian leaders are dominating 21st century politics. How did this new generation of strongmen rise to power? Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, joins Nick Cohen to discuss his new book The Age of The Strongman, which covers the rise of the modern-day dictator, and what their leadership means for the world. “There was always going to be a backlash against the ‘end of history’ way of doing things.” “With the West having gone through the financial crisis, it wasn’t hard for China to say ‘we are the future’.” “For the key period of getting Brexit done, Boris Johnson did follow the strongman tradition.” “If Putin had won a quick victory in Ukraine, it would’ve been a huge boost for the strongman ideal.” ”Trump changed the rhetoric of America. He embraced Putin’s arguments.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Nick Cohen. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eleven of the fifteen postwar Prime Ministers went to Oxford. How did their privileged upbringing change the U.K? The FT’s Simon Kuper talks to Ros Taylor about how the entitled atmospheres of Oxford and Eton shaped modern Britain, detailed in his latest book Chums. “Boris Johnson was probably the best known person at Oxford in his day.” “It’s a great advantage in politics to have a recognisable brand, and Eton encourages that.” “Johnson learnt all his debating tricks from the Oxford Union.” “The problem with being Prime Minister is you have to offer substance, and Johnson can’t do that.” “Daniel Hannan is the Karl Marx of Brexit. He is one of the most important figures in British history.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look at the Government’s culture war push as people are told to just work harder to beat the cost of living crisis. What bargain bin policies are being used to shift attention from the hardship so many are facing? Plus, as those struggling are told to budget their way out of poverty, we look at the ludicrous money saving advice being dished out. And finally, the panel marks the end of the iPod. Freelance writer and columnist Hannah Fearn is this week’s guest.  “All politicians, no matter how charmed, reach a point where their luck runs out.” – Justin Quirk “A lot of aspects of poverty have been rendered invisible.” – Justin Quirk  “What I find weird is Britain's fetishisation of poverty.” – Marie Le Conte “Any government that doesn't care that children are growing up in poverty shouldn't be a government.” – Hannah Fearn “People are thinking about how to feed their children, not the Brexit election strategy.” – Hannah Fearn " “Blaming Brexit for what's happening at home won't cut it.” – Hannah Fearn https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices