I think we've burrowed too deep down the outsourcing rabbit hole to make any meaningful changes. People want the goods but they don't want the conditions necessary to produce them (gross pollution, overcrowded living conditions, child labour, exploitation etc.) and countries will always tend to cherry-pick those commercial concerns that are politically acceptable to the incumbent population. Britons' reluctance to harvest crops for a few quid an hour springs to mind. Maybe it'll become a needs must rather than personal choice?
Nobody would have to work for Chinese wages if we all accepted that tee shirts for £1.80 and microwave ovens for £40 is artificially low. I'd pay £18 for a decent tee shirt and £400 for a decent microwave made in the UK in the future - probably what they cost 35 years ago anyway. Probably also made in factories in the Midlands back then as well.
While there's always going to be a time lag between realization and meaningful action, it's now widely known that the reluctance to impose more stringent restrictions on peoples' movements was due to the belief that UK citizens would not accept such a 'draconian diktat'. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I was under the impression that a good leader is someone who is willing to be unpopular and take unpopular decisions. I'm not blaming our government for the current crisis and individuals have to take responsibility for their own actions, but when the proverbial appears to be heading directly for the fan, at great speed, people need to be told unequivocally and in no uncertain terms, however unpopular IMO. It doesn't help that trust in politicians and competent governance was at an all time low in the run up, neither can you ignore the reactionary media, social and otherwise for the somewhat vague message people were receiving.
If people payed what it was worth and gave others a decent standard of living then yes. Cheap this, that and the other actually devalues things of actual worth and our throw away society needs reversing. Its even perceived as our way out of issues such as climate change, ie we all need new electric cars!!!! Clearly won’t happen.
fashion's a good example: many people in western societies buy cheap, shoddily made clothes online, wear them a couple of times than assign them to the wardrobe, charity shop or the bin, without considering the implications. We've all become accustomed to mass consumables, including food, at a specific price and economies turn on continued consumption and built-in obsolescence. Gargantuan changes would have to take place in order to shift away from perpetual economic growth (and consumption) as the sole drivers for 'thriving' societies
Lol.... I have clothes I had before we had kids and still wear them! Camper is 48, scooter is 58! Wifes only 29 though!!
Don’t like to say it, but I did say last year that the only way to save the planet is socialism.... The actual issue remains, there are far far too many humans. Fewer is better.
Tend to agree there....our planet is over populated... More pressing is there not a fair distribution of resources... We are too greedy.. Compassion for our fellow man is needed.
If there is one thing that is positive from all this is that the majority of people will realise their own mortality. Hopefully, our ability to ignore vital things and assume science or the government will fix it, then blame them when they can’t will be dented and each of us takes ownership. Then I read today that some di**head in Llanelli has been fined for his 7th time for ignoring lockdown. So I don’t know.
Now a dog hopefully has a lifespan of 12 years yes there are exceptions But as a general rule I would except a fair age of around 70 However when I get to 69 years and 11 months that’s the problem Eat healthy run around like a gazelle What is the point? Well we all think we are better than the next person If we could get a sensible lifespan Then we could all arrange our own pegging out parties
That's all well and good but if you're a single parent on benefits struggling to raise a family, the cheap Chinese tat does become a bit more attractive.
I'd suggest the term poverty trap takes the debate to general social welfare and the need to pay far more into a welfare pot than most people are prepared to do. Watch this space when people are asked to double their NI contributions to futureproof the NHS. They'll all go outside and clap at 8pm every Thursday but I guarantee you not many will want to pay any more for it.
I really don`t get this side of it . As i see things the govenment advice is to stay at home . That is it - advice , whilst i don`t condone someone taking the pi$$ FINED for the 7th time is just wrong - what LAW did he break ??
