In a fiery edition of MetroTalk, readers have clashed over some of the most pressing issues of the day, from our collective screen addiction to growing fears of war in Europe. The letters, published on December 18, 2025, reveal a nation deeply divided and passionately engaged.
The Self-Devouring Screen: Are We Digital Zombies?
A powerful letter from Catherine in London set the tone, using the ancient symbol of the Ouroboros – a snake eating its own tail – to describe modern life. She argues people have become "zombified" to their phones, but saves her sharpest criticism for social media algorithms.
Catherine claims the tech bosses behind these platforms are part of a "guild of cut-throat tech bros" pushing AI to replace human jobs across sectors from accounting and graphic design to policing, the civil service, and even journalism and the postal service. Her central charge is alarming: she believes the algorithms are designed to distract the public from this existential threat to jobs and welfare, disillusion them with democracy, and undermine trust in traditional journalism to keep them scrolling.
"It’s making you eat your own livelihood, while they earn money from the ads in between your scrolls," she writes, ending with a rallying cry: "Keep on reading newspapers, people. Ouroboros stops with you!"
Clashing Views on War and European Security
The debate then turned to geopolitics, with readers expressing starkly different views on the threat of conflict. A reader identified only as T from Glasgow delivered a blunt refusal to preparations for war, addressing leaders like Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron directly.
"So we must all prepare for war? Why? For what? Sorry... we’re just not doing it," they wrote, asserting that ordinary Russians are equally war-weary. "Europe has had enough of wars for centuries. It’s time to find another way. We’re not going to be lions led by donkeys any more. Just say no!"
This perspective was directly challenged by Greig from Edinburgh, who urged calm by emphasising the strength of the NATO alliance. He pointed to Russia's protracted struggle in Ukraine, citing "dreadful, old and obsolete equipment" and millions of dead soldiers.
Greig argued that NATO's technological superiority is decades ahead and that Vladimir Putin is not stupid enough to risk nuclear annihilation. "I’m therefore not worried about Russia and neither should you be," he concluded confidently.
Other Voices: From Trump to the NHS Ethos
The letters page also featured commentary on other topics. Ian from Glasgow praised the BBC for having "the guts to stand up to Trump" when, in his view, "our jellyfish politicians won't."
In a heartwarming note, Elaine from Islington expressed "tremendous admiration" for nurse Sarah Alcock, who is working over Christmas at her neonatal clinic despite it being her first as a mother. Elaine held this up as representing the true ethos of dedicated medical staff, in a pointed message to striking junior doctors.
The edition closed on a lighter note with Christmas puns from George Radley in Warley and a seasonal gripe about the winter solstice from Ersire in London.
As ever, Metro invited readers to continue the conversation, asking: "Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments." The exchange underscores the vibrant, if often contentious, forum for public debate that the letters page provides.
