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Visualisation by Christopher Gerhardt at the Inside Out Pendle Talkaoke, 18th Nov 2024

Are we on the same journey?

The uniqueness of our approach is that we create accessible structures that encourage participants to take control of the direction of the conversation, set the agenda spontaneously and get involved in a direct, face to face exchange of perspectives and ideas with the others sitting around the round Talkaoke table. We encourage diversity of perspectives because we believe that we have all something to learn from each other. For example, we would never deny something that a person says – even if we believe it to be factually incorrect. Our aim is not to call someone out on their lack of knowledge but rather understand their perspective and what led them to forming a particular opinion or value system. It is a simple concept, but it’s a concept which allows us to hold space for the kind of exchange that social media promised but rarely delivers. In the age of polarisation and unclear information provenance leading to mis/dis-information, we have seen that unexpected or unpopular views are marginalised or become a target of online attacks. This is why it is core for us to ensure that Talkaoke remains a space to explore all views in creative and constructive ways to better navigate the complexities of today’s challenges (…)

Is climate change part of God’s plan? Apocalypticism and climate change

On 25 June 2022 we did Talkaoke at Pendle Festival of culture in Nelson. We were talking to a group of young people about time speeding up when the conversation turned to the imminent end of the world. Time going faster is apparently a sign of the world ending. We had a long conversation about the end of the world, Judgement Day, the Dajjal (the anti Messiah) and what humans should do to prepare. Towards the end of the conversation a local councillor said that this apocalyptic talk was a tenable way to discuss the dangers of climate change for his community. Many people in Pendle have quite an apocalyptic view of the world, saying that end times are near and there are many signs that the end of the world is near. For those of the Muslim faith this can mean that your priority is to be a good muslim in the eyes of Allah come Judgement Day. Whether this means addressing the issues of climate change or not is a debated question (…)