The Lead Digest: Pete Hegseth, housing and why you should probably just have a pint
Our round-up by The Lead’s team of what we’ve been reading, listening to, scrolling and watching each week.
Here at The Lead, we like to consume just as much as we create, which is why we spend a little time each week rounding up our favourite stories, books, podcasts and films we’ve been enjoying.
With Natalie on honeymoon and work back in full swing, this week’s is a little shorter than last — but you can still get a taste of the work informing our world.
Zoë loved this excoriatingly funny "profile" of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth by Henry Morris. She particularly enjoyed the line: "I cannot help but recall Mark Twain’s immortal warning: 'Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of the Trump administration; but I repeat myself.'"
Ella enjoyed listening to this week’s episode of Novara Media’s If I Speak podcast, in which hosts Ash Sarkar and Moya Lothian-Mclean discussed the fixation on beauty, which has not only reemerged but morphed. They argue that in the place of community and purpose, beauty provides an easy, individualised solution.
It links nicely to Padraig’s recommendation, which is a recent Substack article by none other than our Westminster Editor Zoe Grunewald, which discusses what happens to a society when “what’s good for us” is defined purely at the level of the individual body, rather than the collective life we share — and why, as Padraig took it, you’re better off just having a pint.
Ed recommends this Radio 4 investigation into the increase in housing disrepair claims from tenants against social housing providers, and the 'no win no fee' lawyers seeking to make a quick buck.
The Lead takes a keen interest in housing, reporting on the solutions as well as the problems. Coming up, we’ll be adding to our reporting on the leasehold and property management scandal. For now, you can read some of our previous reporting here.
Finally, Luke has been looking for someone speaking about AI with a degree of nuance for a little while now. Depending on who you ask, it's either a wonderful thing and if you don't get on board then someone who does will take your job, or it's the worst thing on earth and will bring about doomsday. A mention of the "reverse centaur" on a podcast over Christmas led to him digging out this piece by tech reporter Cory Doctorow, and it's well worth a read for anyone.
Watched, read or listened to something you think we’d like to feature? Drop ella@thelead.uk a line and we will consider for inclusion. And feel free to share this post to a friend or family member who you think needs some reading or listening inspiration!
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