Welcome to another insightful episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, your hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow guarantee the following: no plan, no prep, no research, no scripts, just off the cuff explorations. There are enough experts out there, Stuart and William don’t try to add to their ranks.
Once again they discuss two questions sent by listeners. The first comes in from Rithipol from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, their question is as follows:
“Hi guys. You both say neither of you have a uni education, yet you often say the education system isn’t as good as we think it is. Those who have been through higher education, going through it, or going to be going through it, will likely largely argue with you, as they may feel they have more knowledge and experience than you. What qualifications do you have to argue and criticise, or is it based on life experience or solid research on your part?”
During the discussion of Rithipol’s question, Stuart argues that the education system functions as a conveyor belt, designed to prepare and potentially indoctrinate people for the work place. While he acknowledges that education has some value, he believes many university courses exist primarily to generate revenue, and challenges the notion that formal qualifications are necessary to critique the system.
William shares his personal experience of being overlooked in school, falling between the categories of high achievers and troublemakers. Despite this, he recognizes education's power to help people make sense of the world.
Both discuss how self-education doesn't fit conventional structures, with Stuart questioning academic standards for things like essay writing. They acknowledge they're speaking from different perspectives, with Stuart suggesting that those invested in traditional education might struggle to question its value, as doing so would force them to confront potentially uncomfortable truths about their choices.
The second question arrives on the X2 bus from the town of Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, from long time question provider Debs:
“As co hosts you often say the rich are made rich through the poor working hard for them. Why shouldn’t business owners get rich off the backs of the workers? The owners are the ones taking the risk after all”.
While chewing over Debs’s question, William opens the conversation by noting that risk in business isn't solely on owners - workers also take risks.
Stuart believes making a real difference requires leading your own projects, but William counters that there's value in simply living a good, non-exploitative life, without grand ambitions. William also advocates for better wage equality, and acknowledges employee risks.
Stuart concludes that truly impactful work requires independence, as working under others inevitably comes with limitations that restrict one's ability to create meaningful change.
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
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