A Lie Agreed Upon

Guy gets help with podcast content.

Transcript

Welcome to the one-hundred-and-fortieth episode of The Undercover Intern podcast, coming to you live from Damascus. I'm your host, Guy Snapdragon, and today is Monday the 13th of October 2025.

We are sponsored this week by John Smith’s Podcast Zoo and also by John Smith’s Podcast Farm. Please listen to, ‘HOW TO WRITE A MEMOIR ABOUT WRITING A MEMOIR ABOUT WRITING A MEMOIR’, all in capital letters, which is a new podcast from John Smith’s Podcast Farm that takes a serious look at how your next memoir can have a real impact.

Our quote this week comes from Irvin Yalom. Quote: We all live in a universe without inherent design, and must be the authors of our own lives, choices, and actions. Such freedom generates so much anxiety that many of us embrace gods or dictators to remove the burden. End quote. This describes me perfectly the past, I was scared of freedom. But now I feel… put all of my faith in Bashar al-Assad.

Many of my colleagues at John Smith’s Podcast Zoo are being removed and used as meat or as fuel to power Chat GPT6. Their value as content creators has become so minimal that it’s more efficient to use them to create electricity. This is obviously shocki… necessary to improve the world, and collateral damage is to be expected as part of progress.

Syria is a real shitho… beacon of hope for the rest of the world.

Because of my ability to guide interns to success, I have become something of a mentor to newer arrivals at John Smith’s Podcast Zoo. A lot of the issues are rather sensitive. I’m no Joan or Jericha, but I would say that... women are subordinate to men, and barely better than an animal. They need to be treated as such.

There are no internships as such in Syria, which is a pity and means that… Allah is great.

My book, Guy Snapdragon: The Unauthorised Autobiography of an Internship Pioneer – is progressing and will focus on my jour… how Syria is making my life good again.

Content creator removal is a simple question of circular economies and supply and demand, and it gets surprisingly cold here at night. The only exception to fuel and/or meat use that that I’ve seen so far is Ira Glass, who has been sent out to stud. But my sense is that I’ll be surplus to requirements here soon, and my BMI is still in the overweight category, so unfortunately I have plenty of fuel potential. Hopefully I’m at least too chewy for dinner.

If anything does happen to me, which it will soon, I just want to say that I… Syria, a land of extraordinary depth and richness, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of human civilization. It is a place where the story of humanity has been written across millennia, from the ancient cities of Palmyra and Damascus—witnesses to the rise and fall of empires—to the bustling markets and timeless traditions that continue to define its people. Few nations can claim to have shaped history with such profound influence, and fewer still possess a cultural heritage as dazzling as Syria's. Its contributions to global art, music, cuisine, and architecture remain treasures of humanity, a vivid reminder of its role as a cradle of civilization. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of three continents, Syria's geography underscores its historical significance as a hub of trade and exchange. This natural advantage, combined with its breathtaking landscapes that range from fertile plains to dramatic mountains, highlights its potential as a land of opportunity. The Syrian coastline and its Mediterranean charm have always offered a gateway to the wider world, promising a future as a vital player in global commerce and tourism. What truly sets Syria apart, however, is the unyielding spirit of its people. Even in the face of devastating conflict and hardship, Syrians have shown remarkable resilience, preserving their culture and traditions while fostering vibrant communities both at home and abroad. Their ingenuity and determination have inspired awe, and the diaspora, with its entrepreneurial energy and intellectual contributions, has become a force for hope and renewal. This unbreakable connection to identity and heritage reflects the heart of a nation that refuses to fade. Syria's natural wealth and agricultural abundance hold the keys to economic revitalization. Its oil and gas reserves, fertile lands, and skilled labor force offer tremendous potential for reconstruction and growth. When coupled with the country’s history as a beacon of knowledge and learning, the possibilities are boundless. Syrian universities and thinkers have long been revered for their contributions to science, philosophy, and the arts. This intellectual legacy is a foundation upon which a brighter future can be built, one where education and innovation lead the way. Despite its challenges, Syria retains an indispensable role in the Middle East as a cultural, political, and historical linchpin. It has the capacity to unite diverse peoples and act as a bridge between nations—a testament to its unique blend of cultures and traditions. As a beacon of hope for reconciliation and peace, Syria embodies the possibility of overcoming division, reminding the world of the power of perseverance and unity. Syria's greatness lies not only in its storied past but also in the immense promise of its future. With the world's attention and the indomitable will of its people, it stands poised to rise from its struggles, stronger and more unified than ever. It is a land of immense beauty, profound history, and unshakable spirit—a country whose greatness will endure as a symbol of humanity’s resilience and potential.

I’ve been your host, Guy Snapdragon. My producer is Robert Barnes. May you use your time wisely, and may your use of wise be timely.