Martin looks at the BBC’s coverage of the Universal theme park and asks… why is it so weirdly negative? James reminds everyone about Eurostar’s forgotten stations – in Ebbsfleet and and Ashford, which haven’t seen international trains since 2020. And we speak to Sally Gimson about her new book Off The Rails: The Inside Story of HS2 (out now!).The Good Growth Foundation’s report on re-opening Ashford is here.Starmer shouldn't give a conference speech – he should give an Apple-style keynote (by James)Martin’s piece on the BBC’s Universal coverage will be here.Our previous coverage of Old Bridge Way, with lots more context, is here.Martin’s amazing expose of the attempts to delay HS2 in Wendover can be heard here.And previous coverage of the Universal theme park is here.Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
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1:03:16
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1:03:16
How to extend the Bakerloo line
On The Abundance Agenda this week:* James talks about ‘London Unchained’, a new paper by Labour Together and the YIMBY Alliance that figures out how we could actually pay for the much-needed Bakerloo line extension, level-up the north, and protect the credibility of the public finances… all at the same time!* And we speak to Sam Freedman, author of the Comment is Freed newsletter, about what the ‘Abundance’ view is missing, how to shift political incentives towards building – and playing Civilisation with his dad.The Labour Together/YIMBY Alliance paper, ‘London Unchained’, can be found here.James’s write up on the paper, with his own thoughts is here.Martin’s newsletter is here.Sam’s excellent book, Failed State is essential reading and can be found here.The episode about Dobbins Lane we mentioned is here, and the one where we talk about Northern Powerhouse Rail is here.Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
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52:34
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52:34
Make Britain Fat Again
On The Abundance Agenda this week:* Can deleting emails and photos really save water? James unpacks possibly the worst government advice ever published.* Martin pitches a bold new strategy for wiping out obesity and saving the NHS billions of pounds.* And we speak to Ruth Cadbury, Chair of the Transport Select Committee in Parliament, about integrated journeys, HS2, autonomous cars… and James’s e-scooter problem.Andy Masley’s debunk of the government’s water advice is here.Natasha Loder and Peter Singer on generic semaglutide is here.The Transport Committee’s inquiry on joined-up journeys is here.James’s piece on how he still thinks AI will eat the world is here.Martin on Plato vs Grok is here.James’s piece on the Sunday trading poll is here.Our earlier episode on the two new reservoirs that are being built is here.Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:26 Breaking News: National Water Crisis01:18 Government's Water-Saving Advice03:13 Critique of Government's Digital Water-Saving Advice04:42 The Absurdity of Deleting Emails to Save Water09:36 The Bigger Picture: Personal Responsibility vs. Systemic Solutions12:46 The Role of Incentives in Public Compliance16:10 Personal Grievances and Weight Loss Journey19:40 The Impact of Drug Pricing on Health27:34 Potential Solutions for Affordable Weight Loss Drugs29:02 The Future of Weight Loss Drugs29:43 Global Patent Expirations and Market Impact30:14 UK's Patent Dilemma and Potential Solutions30:48 Economic Benefits and Unintended Consequences32:16 Housekeeping and Listener Engagement33:00 Substack Newsletters and AI Discussions34:38 Interview with Ruth Cadbury: Transport Issues43:17 HS2: Challenges and Future Prospects51:44 Autonomous Vehicles: Reality or Hype?55:35 E-Scooters: Legalization and Public Perception01:00:39 Conclusion and Farewell This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
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1:01:47
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1:01:47
James and Martin have a big fight about AI
Is AI actually a big deal or not? Following the launch of GPT5, James and Martin finally hash out the biggest unresolved tension on the podcast.Martin, an AI sceptic makes the case that the tech bro hype is out of control. And James, a wide-eyed optimist argues that actually maybe Large Language Models are a significant technology after all.Plus we talk about why the AI critics are so annoying, why Grok is the best manifestation yet of Silicon Valley’s id, and what AI means for abundance.No guest this week as the discussion goes too long!You’ll be able to find Martin’s post on Plato vs Grok here.James’s post on Sunday trading is here.You might also enjoy the post James mentioned on how AI is going to break schools, which can be seen here.Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
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55:56
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55:56
How to make a road disappear
Plus is the government about to legalise e-scooters? And how did the government persuade the Daily Mail that it's a good idea? Plus we speak to Alistair Strathern MP about Old Bridge Way and what it tells us about the fraying social contract between politicians and voters.Martin’s big post on Old Bridge Way is here.James’s post on a similar mess in Kent is here.Martin’s post on “WASPInomics” is here.James’s post on what Ebbsfleet can teach the next generation of New Towns is here.Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:22 Martin's Housing Estate Dilemma01:39 The Road Maintenance Conundrum03:29 The Story of Old Bridgeway06:22 The 1990s Expansion and Road Issues11:16 The Daniels Brothers' Scheme15:11 Council's Reluctance and Public Outrage19:34 Scooters: The Next Big Thing?28:36 The Legalization of Private Scooters: A Missed Opportunity29:39 Current Speculations and Government Stance31:08 Daily Mail's Surprising Take on E-Scooters31:40 Proposed Regulations for E-Scooters32:51 The Role of Local Authorities and Public Frustration33:53 Promoting the Podcast and Substack Newsletters35:29 Interview with Alistair Stratton: Local MP's Efforts38:56 Challenges in Local Governance and Public Discontent45:40 The Broader Impact on Politics and Social Contracts53:14 Engaging with Constituents: The Role of an MP55:52 The Planning Bill and Future Infrastructure01:00:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
UK