Thanks everyone
We have seven minutes remaining, and I’ve really enjoyed the debate this week. Lots of interesting comments. It would be awesome if you could all add any suggestions for improving this forum here.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Why do couples on Blind Date always end as friends?: your questions to us
We asked you if there was a question you wanted to ask one of our journalists this week, and we had a few interesting ones – as well as some lovely comments. Here are a few:
1) Why is it so difficult for you to have an edit button on comments?
One of our moderators explained the answer to this one, saying: “If users were able to edit each comment it would create an unmanageable workload as we would either have to recheck everything or leave comments edited comments unmoderated. “
2) Why do couples on Blind Date always say at the end “We might meet but perhaps as friends, or something to that effect”?
The Opinion section’s Toby Moses had some rather novel views on that. He said: “Because Guardian readers participating on Blind Dates are too polite to just say: ‘lolz, of course not, I don’t fancy them at all, they eat like a pig, and anyway, I’ve got a boyfriend’.” Make of that what you will. Share more questions with us via the form above.
More readers' pictures of the night
After we asked you to send pictures of what you do at night, we’ve received some moody shots from seanburn via GuardianWitness.
To see more and add yours, click here or see the gallery, below:
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Interviewing Zoella's manager – by our assistant media editor
One thing YouTuber Zoella’s manager, Dom Smales, said about the stars he manages stood out: that what you see on the screen is pretty much what you get in real life.
That may not be surprising when so many started out in their bedrooms. But it is creating a next generation of celebrities who are very different from the much more carefully created personas most of us are used to. You wonder how they will develop, and what it means for the whole idea of celebrity.
What do you think of the new culture of celebrity? Do you have a reaction to the article? Tell us how it’s changing and what this means below the line.
Footage of the week – Omran Daqneesh
The video of Omran Daqneesh sitting in the back of an ambulance after being pulled from the rubble of his Aleppo home is one of the most powerful pieces of footage I’ve ever watched. A symbol of the unrelenting suffering that so many people in Syria have to endure every day, it acts as a stark reminder of the reality we shouldn’t shy away from reporting.
What do readers think? (A warning: this footage contains images some might find distressing)
Our colleague Elena Cresci has pulled together a list of ways you can help if you’ve been shocked by these and other images coming out of Syria.
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In response to that Cox story, you’ve been sharing your views – and also responding to our discussion (see 14:40) about ethics in reporting on climate change.
Here are some of your views:
It's miserable realising that our behaviour is destroying billions of years of life on earth. However at least we can poke fun at cretins like Roberts. Cox is particularly good at it. He tore the idiot apart.
It doesn't make me feel any better though to think that these lizards will no doubt be the first to run off to Canada and Scandinavia once it all hits the fan. With characters such as these no doubt it'll never be women and children first. They've made selfishness an art form.
In the future, as Roberts continues to make demonstrably false claims, the Guardian and other media outlets will need to think carefully about how much attention to give him.
You'd normally say give him enough rope and he'll hang himself, but it's become a tenet of faith for denialists and every story that features one, no matter how ludicrous and demonstrably false, reinforces their prejudices
The BBC faces the same problem. Despite 97% agreement in the scientific community, they still give 50/50 airtime to deniers in the name of 'balance'
Sadly you can't argue against faith with facts, see the Brexit debate for that with its sneering dismissal of 'so-called experts'
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Brian Cox v climate change denier
From Australia, Michael Slezak writes about an interjection from British scientist Brian Cox this week that got you talking – and the ethics of reporting on climate change denial.
Having Malcolm Roberts in the Australian parliament creates a challenging situation. He espouses views that are both potentially dangerous and demonstrably false. For example, as we reported in this story, Roberts continues to argue that Nasa has manipulated temperature data in collaboration with every other relevant science agency including the UK Met Office and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Normally, these views would simply not be reported. But as an elected parliamentarian, it is important that he is scrutinised and understood by the public. The ABC put him on the panel, but had Brian Cox on as well, who was well-equipped to refute some of what Roberts said.
In the future, as Roberts continues to make demonstrably false claims, the Guardian and other media outlets will need to think carefully about how much attention to give him. The outrageousness of what he says makes for entertaining and very highly read stories. But is it a mistake to give him more air time than sensible (and potentially boring) politicians, just because he says such outrageous things?
What do you think of Cox’s interjection?
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More comments on the night tube and its implications.
Shift workers will be pleased, no more sitting with nutters on the night bus.
I got on a night bus at 4:00am once, early work start. What amazed me was, there is a community of people, in all different jobs, that all know each other, because they all get the same bus, every day, to work.
It was rather refreshing, these wildly different people all chatting away, asking about each other's kids.
I think it will help get rid of the late night rush you suddenly get when everyone in central London realises it's about 12:30am and they need to get to a Tube Station, fast.
Also, the fact it's the Victoria Line and Central Line to start with seems sensible - it means an awful lot of Londoners from all compass points can get to one of the other compass points pretty well, even if they have to add on a Nightbus journey at the other end.
I will still never forget the joys of a 3am journey home on the N29, though.
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'Night time is not all about London you know'
We hear you, mirrorman (and others)! So much so that even on the topic of the 24-hour tube coming to, er, London, tonight we broadened things out and asked just what you get up to at night.
Some of you are keen nocturnal photographers, and we’ve produced a gallery of some of our favourite images here, a couple of which you can see below.
Reader Tom Collins volunteers for his local RNLI – and is on call 24/7.
And Dylan Arnold creates amazing light art on the beach.
Louisa likes to watch her friends sleep – we don’t think there’s anything sinister in this, though ...
What do you do at night? You can share your stories in the comments or pictures via GuardianWitness.
You’re now sharing views on the night tube below the line
I'm going down the West End, and getting on it just for the novelty value.
Anything that mucks up Uber's profits is alright with me.
what are you most looking forward to doing now there’s a night tube?
More complaints from Londoners that 'nothing works outside London'. As typically happens when friends visit Bristol and most bus services stop by 1am and you can't get a train to Bath (or London) after 11:20pm (after 10:30pm).
Jeremy Corbyn could sit on the floor of a night tube to combine some of these stories.
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Night tube – what's worth staying up for?
From today, trains on two London underground lines – the Victoria and a good part of the Central – will run through the night for the very first time. But what’s worth staying up for?
1) Mirth, Marvel and Maud in Walthamstow (Victoria line): a first-rate restaurant and cocktail bar, open until 2am at weekends.
2) Oval Space sister venue The Pickle Factory near Bethnal Green (Central line): for fans of leftfield electronica and discerning ravers.
3) The Dogstar, Brixton (Victoria line): Tonight’s event MAGICROBOT features hip-hop, house and “your terrible requests”.
If you are in London or visit often, what are you most looking forward to doing now there’s a night tube? If like many readers (who like to remind us, and yes, we’re listening!) you’re not in London, what do you think of the idea? Perhaps where you are there’s already pretty good nighttime transport?
Quiz of the week – when were these world records set?
With the Olympics in full flow this quiz caught our eye this week, but how well can you do on it? It’s reaaalllly hard. Share your scores with us.
Not all of you have been watching the Olympics ...
I have not lifted the TV remote in a week – other than to skip across from BBC1 to BBC2
Grrrrr... I have been away most of the week and in the evenings in a hotel where BBC 1 was available and BBC2 not (abroad) - not only was it annoying here - it was ruddy infuriating there as it meant having to try and find the local coverage and hope they were covering the same things live ... they weren't.
Psst, Neil ... there’s even been some on BBC Four!
Anyone else having trouble watching, or have stories of watching from afar?
My favourite Olympic articles of the week – by Kate Lyons
I come from Australia, which at the time of writing had won seven gold medals and was ranking in at number 10 in the medal tally, so I can’t join in the general air of smug rejoicing around the Olympics this year, but I have, like much of the world, been sucked in to the Rio coverage nonetheless. Here are some of my favourite stories:
- Anoosh Chakelian at the New Statesman on the horror of the Olympics marriage proposal.
- The Atlantic about the dark side of being an Olympic champion
- This response from the (female) Swedish women’s football coach who was asked if she would be capable of coaching the male team is worth remembering.
One reader's picks of the week
After referencing the discussion about airline food, this comment speaks for itself:
I haven't been on a plane for over fifteen years, so - though I agreed with the article that it's a useful distraction and also a fun thing in the context - that wasn't my favourite story this week on the Guardian.
My two favourites this week were:
The Lost Cities . Everyone BTL was praising this whole series, and sad that this (excellent) one was the last. More of this kind of thing, please, Graun!
And the picture essay, That's Yer Lot, was wonderful too.
It was much discussed at our allotments, where we were very impressed by their plots. Just a pity this wasn't a Guardian Witness thing, or even with a comment thread - the other times there have been articles on allotment sites, the comments have added hugely to the whole thing.
And allotments brings me to sheds. I know this thread is about the news that has been already this week, but the Shed of the Year is on the allotment-friendly budget category on C4 tonight (8pm) and I think the winner is announced this evening as well. The Guardian had a picture piece as usual at the start of the competition, and I hope there'll be an article on the winner and any hints we can get from this year's entries.
In politics news, I'm still reeling from Owen Smith's idea of getting IS round the table. Corbyn sitting on the floor on a train pales into insignificance beside that, although I think Corbyn gets points from me for that - as for anything else in comparison with the entirely redacted Owen Smith.
Do you agree? What have been your picks of the week? Tenthred: consider your allotment idea noted – we’ll have a go at that soon (in time for harvest?!)
Here’s a point – but we’re not sure how seriously to take it ...
Rio 2016: how have athletes from your country performed at the Olympics?
We’d like to know how successful the Games have been for your country. Share your thoughts on the Olympics by filling out the form below. We’ll feature a selection of your contributions on the site.
The best bits of the Olympics: a guide from the sports desk
I have not lifted the TV remote in a week – other than to skip across from BBC1 to BBC2 when the news has come on and threatened to interrupt the constant stream of Olympic sports.
So, in no particular order, here are five of my favourite bits so far:
- Mo Farah recovering from a fall to win the 10,000m
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The O’Donovan brothers winning medals and then sharing their craic
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Justin Rose winning gold in the men’s golf
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Michael Conlan’s post-fight interview
- Usain Bolt smiling during the 100m and 200m
Enjoy him while you can as this is his final Olympics.
PS. This is how to celebrate.
What were your best bits? Share with us below the line. You can also take a look at some of the best images of the Games on our new Guardian Sport Instagram account:
How about the environmental impact of airline food?
Plane food is not free, the cost is included in the ticket. I know it's ironic to talk about environmental impact when you are on a plane, but airline food must cause a huge amount of waste. How much can be recycled? Taking your own food on-board is also quite complicated flying long haul to places like Australia and NZ which have very strict bio-security laws concerning bringing any food item into the country.
And here’s another reason to welcome it ... the distraction.
Flying long haul I enjoy the distraction, the expectation, the examination, the tasting, and the rejection wanting rid of it so you can do something else such as read your book or play solitaire until something else occurs if anything breaks up the long hours spent in an ever warming thin tube while you and others share viruses and bacteria. I always think that getting there is half the holiday!
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Airline meals often get a bad rep, but you’re highlighting their popularity – there’s even websites devoted to them:
Your'e not alone, airline food is great, not necessarily the quality of course, but as you say the ritual of it
If you're truly obsessed, you should check out airlinemeals.net the most comprehensive site dedicated to the sometimes dubious delights of inflight meals and airline catering
Anyway, talking of food, have you regulated your erratic lunchtimes since last week? Remember, lack of proper luncheon leads to lack of proper function!
'I love plane food. Please British Airways, don’t take away my foil-wrapped fun'
Everyone went wild for this article, which explores British Airways plan to cut plane meals, below the line. Here are some choice comments. What’s your view?
Meezles79
I love airplane food! I love the little compartments and the ice cold bread rolls. I love the water with the peel-back lid. I love the regional fare you get with different airlines - Aero Mexico is one of my favourites. I love it because as someone who hates flying it provides something to temporarily concentrate on rather than blind panic throughout the flight.
Bobsworth44
I used to work for an incredible snob and tiresome foodie. When we were both sent on a business trip to a major European city, he turned his nose up at the inflight meal offered him by the cabin crew. I of course tucked in, and when my boss asked why on earth I was voluntarily eating such poor-quality processed food, managed to completely silence him with what to me was the blindingly-obvious answer: “Well it’s free!”.
Our most-read this week
It’s been Olympics, Olympics, Olympics this week – so, without further ado, here is what you’ve been reading and reacting to.
- Andy Murray slaps down John Inverdale’s claim he was first with two tennis golds
- Brazil knock USA out of women’s beach volleyball – as it happened
- ‘It’s because I had my period’: swimmer Fu Yuanhui praised for breaking taboo
Oh, and a bit of Corbyn:
Welcome to this week's Guardian Social
Hello, and wherever you are, assuming that isn’t the east coast of New Zealand, happy Friday!
We want this to be a place where you can share with us some of your views on what’s been going on this week, and for us to highlight some of the ways you’ve been getting involved with what we do at the Guardian.
Tune in and let us know what you think in the comments – we’ve also got a form you can fill in with any questions you might have for our journalists to attempt to answer as we go, you can find that at the next link.
Considering that pretty much everybody agrees on climate change now I don't think it's particularly damaging to air sceptic views. Government, business etc have moved on from the science bit. We're now into strategy and the what to do part.
Having a climate change sceptic opinion on a show now just turns it into a comedy. Broadcasters and the media won't want to not be taken seriously so will increasingly stop giving voice to climate change sceptic views unless they're after comedy.