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Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
A reader says the internet isn't just toxic, it's deadly
In response to me describing the internet as ‘the devil incarnate’, Andrew (MetroTalk, Thu) says I would have said the same about the printing press.
No, I wouldn’t. How on earth would I have then expressed my opinions in Metro for a start? But really I don’t remember reading any letters in MetroTalk from anyone encouraging someone to take their own life.
Or take this week – broadcaster and keen cyclist Jeremy Vine revealing he has received posts from people fantasising about him being crushed by a truck while riding his bike because he posts videos online of dangerous drivers.
And how do you suppose Headingley crossbow killer Owen Lawrence – who died of self-inflicted injuries – became fuelled with far-right hatred and misogyny?
And don’t say they are isolated events because it’s getting worse. So to compare the two is, frankly, ludicrous. Dec, Essex
Will Reform rise because the country’s fed up?
True to its recent form, the left-leaning, London-based [and nationally distributed] Metro has tried one last anti-Reform throw of the dice by giving over a chunk of Wednesday’s MetroTalk to the still-rabid Remainer and sore Brexit loser, Julian Self.
It won’t work, because the great majority of us living in the real world outside of London, who haven’t divested ourselves of our common sense, can see what is happening in this country and we’ve had enough of it.
Consequently, we are going to vote for Reform UK in our thousands, so suck it up! HG, Maidstone
It’s not anti-anyone to talk about Christianity
Militant anti-Christian Alfie Mullin (MetroTalk, Wed) claims that extolling Christianity by printing letters about it ‘only serves to alienate those of us who are not’ Christian.
In principle, this is the same as complaining that extolling the virtues of eating meat alienates vegetarians. Maybe so, but there is no law saying that anyone must have their beliefs catered to at the expense of everyone else’s. Robert Bucknor, Tunbridge Wells
If you feel alienated by religion, maybe open your mind
As an avid Metro reader I find it a breath of fresh air to have Christianity spoken about in a positive light in 2025 – especially considering that 90 per cent of the time Christianity is the butt of jokes in the media or spoken about salaciously.
Also, since when did people feel ‘alienated’ just because something is spoken about that they don’t agree with?
In Metro, I’ve read about topics such as Islam, Hinduism, men, women, race and political ideologies from opposing views – and it hasn’t made me feel ‘alienated’ simply because I didn’t align with those ideologies.
I think Alfie should be a bit more open-minded to the notion that the world doesn’t revolve around him and his views. This is a Christian country, let it be spoken about for once without going into a fit, Alfie. Senga, London
Toilets should be everyone, not just genders
At work and public places, beside male and female toilets, there should also be unisex facilities (which anybody can use, regardless of their gender, which, nowadays, nobody cares about anyway), so that people don’t have to cross their legs while waiting desperately for the right ‘gender’ one to become available.
So simple. No labels. We should be inclusive and accepting in order to live in harmony. What a wonderful world it would be. Gavin, Liverpool
Age is just a number for netball players and squash fans
That Caroline is still playing netball at 72 (MetroTalk, Wed) may alarm the makers of my packet of paracetamol tablets – they do not class people over a certain age, myself included, as ‘adults’. Under dosage is written, ‘Adults, the elderly and children 16 year and over: take one or two tablets.’ Sandra, London
I am 70 and play squash twice a week among other activities. Keep doing it while you can, it’s beneficial physically and good for the mind. Joe, Huddersfield
Are non-politicians the new politicians?
I note that in the US (Donald Trump) and Canada (Mark Carney), neither nation’s leader was previously a full-time politician, but rather had other interests before entering politics. It might be stretching it to annex Sir Keir Starmer to that category, given we’ve had a plethora of other lawyers in our parliament, but is this a trend that we can look forward to – and so reject the ‘career politicians’ who prevail over here? Martin, London
Is it time to go hack to basics?
Last year it was Sainsbury’s and Morrisons supply chains hit by a cyber attack and this year it looks like Barclays, HSBC and Marks & Spencer have been hit.
And as Metro reported on Tuesday, Spain and Portugal were essentially shut down because of a power outage.
Companies and countries are quick to say they have not been hacked but slower to offer an alternative explanation. Readers will make their own conclusions.
With the so-called ‘internet of (hackable) things’ spreading – smart washing machines, fridges and kettles etc – may I point readers towards Michael Mann’s underrated 2015 film Blackhat to see the potential consequences of malign keyboard activity. Paul King, Sidcup
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