Is the future bright?
Discussion
Mojooo said:
Not that I want to bring the forum down....... but this feels like the most negative the UK has been for a long time - 20-30 years anyway (which is as long as I can remember). I remember in 1999 when everything felt so positive for the new millennium (or was that just me).
Everything just seems to feel negative these days (not helped by modern comms/media which is on all the time)
More importantly perhaps - it feels like worse is yet to come with the economy and this Government
What do you reckon?
I think that there will need to be some collective belt tightening. The 10% at the bottom will really struggle but most people will have enough headroom to cope.Everything just seems to feel negative these days (not helped by modern comms/media which is on all the time)
More importantly perhaps - it feels like worse is yet to come with the economy and this Government
What do you reckon?
Randy Winkman said:
steveatesh said:
Timothy Bucktu said:
A lot of it is over dramatised by the news outlets. So simply, don't watch the news and things will feel better.
You only need the news headlines at most...you don't need the opinion of the likes of the BBC.
This.You only need the news headlines at most...you don't need the opinion of the likes of the BBC.
The MSM are responsible for a lot of negative reporting, they go out of their way to find and report a bad angle no matter what the news or how good it is.
As an example I recall Paul “Doom and Gloom” Brand gleefully introducing us to some poor unfortunate who had been inadvertently sent a poor vaccine appointment on the day the vaccine was finally released as a saviour to Covid…. What an absolute twunt he is.
How often today do the MSM tell us that the U.K. is in a similar position to the rest of the developed world rather than portray us as being in a uniquely poor position?
Having lived through various inflation spikes, IMF interventions, threats to world peace, threats to health etc etc through the last 6 decades it’s not really much different today.
Simply stop watching the news, get on with your own life and you be a lot happier!
I think there's a lot of people looking through rose-tinted glasses here. Those hankering after the 90s remind me of the older generations reminiscing about the 50s/60s.
Socially, we're more free than we've ever been and allows people to be whoever they are or want to be.
Technology is making our lives easier to live.
Unemployment is very low.
Yes there's economic clouds, but there was in 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2020 - nothing new.
Socially, we're more free than we've ever been and allows people to be whoever they are or want to be.
Technology is making our lives easier to live.
Unemployment is very low.
Yes there's economic clouds, but there was in 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2020 - nothing new.
oyster said:
I think there's a lot of people looking through rose-tinted glasses here. Those hankering after the 90s remind me of the older generations reminiscing about the 50s/60s.
Socially, we're more free than we've ever been and allows people to be whoever they are or want to be.
Technology is making our lives easier to live.
Unemployment is very low.
Yes there's economic clouds, but there was in 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2020 - nothing new.
I'd disagree we're more free than we've ever been. Not sure what you mean by "socially". Socially, we're more free than we've ever been and allows people to be whoever they are or want to be.
Technology is making our lives easier to live.
Unemployment is very low.
Yes there's economic clouds, but there was in 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2020 - nothing new.
There is more law and regulation over our lives than ever before. This is demonstrably true. Indeed far more than a generation ago, and it's increasing. Some of it can be summed up by "elf and safety". Can't do this, can't do that. It's everywhere and growing.
We also have less freedom to travel than we had 5 or 10 years ago. No question about that. Less cash in our pockets and Brexit.
Re "nothing new" ... what absolutely is new is a long term stagnation and now fall in living standards. Productivity and real wage growth on average has been at bugger all for some time. A completely new scenario in post war UK.
We are in unknown waters.
No economy has ever been through a prolonged period of QE then a stint of QT.
Japan might be the only kind of similar situation but not really on anything like the same scale.
Its going to be a very rocky couple of years.
I think the outcome could really seriously be bad. I just hope that the global economy is big enough to absorb the upcoming financial crisis and then recover.
In theory if everyone works together I think it will.
The issue is Russia invading Ukraine has caused a massive shock wave and that tbh is just a very local regional conflict.
If China was to do something stupid and get a real war going or if Russia invades a Nato country we are in for a bad few decades. Assuming anyone survives.
I have a feeling war is going to be the least of our worries anyway, COVID is still here. We are not out of the woods yet.
The major economic power houses have all printed money for fun and those debts are now due.
No economy has ever been through a prolonged period of QE then a stint of QT.
Japan might be the only kind of similar situation but not really on anything like the same scale.
Its going to be a very rocky couple of years.
I think the outcome could really seriously be bad. I just hope that the global economy is big enough to absorb the upcoming financial crisis and then recover.
In theory if everyone works together I think it will.
The issue is Russia invading Ukraine has caused a massive shock wave and that tbh is just a very local regional conflict.
If China was to do something stupid and get a real war going or if Russia invades a Nato country we are in for a bad few decades. Assuming anyone survives.
I have a feeling war is going to be the least of our worries anyway, COVID is still here. We are not out of the woods yet.
The major economic power houses have all printed money for fun and those debts are now due.
gotoPzero said:
The issue is Russia invading Ukraine has caused a massive shock wave and that tbh is just a very local regional conflict.
Yes, to be fair it has been substantially the reaction of the west that has caused the massive shock wave - whether one agrees with it on moral grounds or not. My answer is that no, the near future is not looking bright, but beyond that I am optimistic.
In the next year, we have to deal with inflation, a weak economy, industrial action and a continuing war in Ukraine. It'll be a difficult time.
However, beyond that I hope that all those things will be resolved. In addition, Brexit will sort itself out, covid will become a distant memory and the economy nationally and globally will recover.
In my opinion, there is one other thing that we have to sort out to ensure a bright future, and that's the hysteria surrounding climate change. We have to ignore those loons who are predicting catastrophe within five years, we must reject stupid policies like banning gas boilers, and implement a pragmatic UK energy policy that includes fossil fuels and nuclear. There's much more to it than that, of course, but the doom mongering over the supposed climate emergency is, in my opinion, misplaced.
In the next year, we have to deal with inflation, a weak economy, industrial action and a continuing war in Ukraine. It'll be a difficult time.
However, beyond that I hope that all those things will be resolved. In addition, Brexit will sort itself out, covid will become a distant memory and the economy nationally and globally will recover.
In my opinion, there is one other thing that we have to sort out to ensure a bright future, and that's the hysteria surrounding climate change. We have to ignore those loons who are predicting catastrophe within five years, we must reject stupid policies like banning gas boilers, and implement a pragmatic UK energy policy that includes fossil fuels and nuclear. There's much more to it than that, of course, but the doom mongering over the supposed climate emergency is, in my opinion, misplaced.
Brave Fart said:
My answer is that no, the near future is not looking bright, but beyond that I am optimistic.
In the next year, we have to deal with inflation, a weak economy, industrial action and a continuing war in Ukraine. It'll be a difficult time.
However, beyond that I hope that all those things will be resolved. In addition, Brexit will sort itself out, covid will become a distant memory and the economy nationally and globally will recover.
In my opinion, there is one other thing that we have to sort out to ensure a bright future, and that's the hysteria surrounding climate change. We have to ignore those loons who are predicting catastrophe within five years, we must reject stupid policies like banning gas boilers, and implement a pragmatic UK energy policy that includes fossil fuels and nuclear. There's much more to it than that, of course, but the doom mongering over the supposed climate emergency is, in my opinion, misplaced.
Good post Brave Fart. In the next year, we have to deal with inflation, a weak economy, industrial action and a continuing war in Ukraine. It'll be a difficult time.
However, beyond that I hope that all those things will be resolved. In addition, Brexit will sort itself out, covid will become a distant memory and the economy nationally and globally will recover.
In my opinion, there is one other thing that we have to sort out to ensure a bright future, and that's the hysteria surrounding climate change. We have to ignore those loons who are predicting catastrophe within five years, we must reject stupid policies like banning gas boilers, and implement a pragmatic UK energy policy that includes fossil fuels and nuclear. There's much more to it than that, of course, but the doom mongering over the supposed climate emergency is, in my opinion, misplaced.
The problem you refer to is I think symptomatic of a further fundamental problem - the influence of social media on politicians. It's a big issue, but I'd like some leadership from politicians on a debate about ending anonymity as a starter. We need leaders - right now we have far too much cowardice ... essentially people only either criticising or desperately trying to position themselves to avoid criticism.
Ntv said:
Good post Brave Fart.
The problem you refer to is I think symptomatic of a further fundamental problem - the influence of social media on politicians. It's a big issue, but I'd like some leadership from politicians on a debate about ending anonymity as a starter. We need leaders - right now we have far too much cowardice ... essentially people only either criticising or desperately trying to position themselves to avoid criticism.
Cheers, and in return you make two very good points. We saw the malign influence of social media so much during the pandemic. Populist politicians (not just Boris, I include Sturgeon and Drakeford in this) appeared to make policy in response to some Twitter meltdown or TikTok nonsense. Where was their evidence, where were the cost/benefit calculations?The problem you refer to is I think symptomatic of a further fundamental problem - the influence of social media on politicians. It's a big issue, but I'd like some leadership from politicians on a debate about ending anonymity as a starter. We need leaders - right now we have far too much cowardice ... essentially people only either criticising or desperately trying to position themselves to avoid criticism.
Which leads on to leadership, or rather lack of it. Our current political leaders, of all stripes, are effing useless, in my opinion. As an optimist, I'm hoping that these bluffers will make way for new leaders with a clear vision and a strategy to deliver that vision. That said, I can't see anyone who fits that description, but come on, we can do better, can we not?
Yes, the future is bright. Although the media don’t tell you, we are living in the most privileged period of human history the world has ever known. Here in the UK, even the poorest have won the lottery of life. Relative safety, rule of law, a decent (if not currently bruised) economy, healthcare, rich history, abundant leisure opportunities, beautiful countryside… I could go on and on.
At a global level, of course there are going to be challenges ahead, probably around access to resources such as energy and food - hasn’t this always been the case? I have faith in humankind to resolve these issues.
Personally I’ve started taking less of an interest in politics as it doesn’t really deliver any benefits for the amount of brain/thinking energy expended, and I feel all the better for it.
At a global level, of course there are going to be challenges ahead, probably around access to resources such as energy and food - hasn’t this always been the case? I have faith in humankind to resolve these issues.
Personally I’ve started taking less of an interest in politics as it doesn’t really deliver any benefits for the amount of brain/thinking energy expended, and I feel all the better for it.
Countdown said:
I think that there will need to be some collective belt tightening. The 10% at the bottom will really struggle but most people will have enough headroom to cope.
I disagree with the last sentence - the people at the bottom will be largely unaffected, they won't be going from employed to unemployed (huge differentiation in income), having to think about housing costs. Their income is fixed and not at risk.It's the full time employed "ordinary Joe" with a car and a mortgage on a middle income who is really going to be paying for this. Twas ever thus.
Dog Star said:
Countdown said:
I think that there will need to be some collective belt tightening. The 10% at the bottom will really struggle but most people will have enough headroom to cope.
I disagree with the last sentence - the people at the bottom will be largely unaffected, they won't be going from employed to unemployed (huge differentiation in income), having to think about housing costs. Their income is fixed and not at risk.It's the full time employed "ordinary Joe" with a car and a mortgage on a middle income who is really going to be paying for this. Twas ever thus.
MitchT said:
Brexit. Covid. Russia. The war on motorists. Unavoidable living costs going through the roof. Wages stagnating. Etc. It's like the world is reaching some kind of moment of reckoning that will only be affordable for, and survivable by, a fraction of the population.
The haves get richer, the nots get poorer only the gap seems to be increasing exponentially at the moment. Protests and strikes this year for certain.
Just waiting to see if we'll have riots thrown in there too.
gotoPzero said:
We are in unknown waters.
No economy has ever been through a prolonged period of QE then a stint of QT.
Japan might be the only kind of similar situation but not really on anything like the same scale.
Its going to be a very rocky couple of years.
I think the outcome could really seriously be bad. I just hope that the global economy is big enough to absorb the upcoming financial crisis and then recover.
In theory if everyone works together I think it will.
The issue is Russia invading Ukraine has caused a massive shock wave and that tbh is just a very local regional conflict.
If China was to do something stupid and get a real war going or if Russia invades a Nato country we are in for a bad few decades. Assuming anyone survives.
I have a feeling war is going to be the least of our worries anyway, COVID is still here. We are not out of the woods yet.
The major economic power houses have all printed money for fun and those debts are now due.
I was with you until that point.No economy has ever been through a prolonged period of QE then a stint of QT.
Japan might be the only kind of similar situation but not really on anything like the same scale.
Its going to be a very rocky couple of years.
I think the outcome could really seriously be bad. I just hope that the global economy is big enough to absorb the upcoming financial crisis and then recover.
In theory if everyone works together I think it will.
The issue is Russia invading Ukraine has caused a massive shock wave and that tbh is just a very local regional conflict.
If China was to do something stupid and get a real war going or if Russia invades a Nato country we are in for a bad few decades. Assuming anyone survives.
I have a feeling war is going to be the least of our worries anyway, COVID is still here. We are not out of the woods yet.
The major economic power houses have all printed money for fun and those debts are now due.
gotoPzero said:
Dog Star said:
Countdown said:
I think that there will need to be some collective belt tightening. The 10% at the bottom will really struggle but most people will have enough headroom to cope.
I disagree with the last sentence - the people at the bottom will be largely unaffected, they won't be going from employed to unemployed (huge differentiation in income), having to think about housing costs. Their income is fixed and not at risk.It's the full time employed "ordinary Joe" with a car and a mortgage on a middle income who is really going to be paying for this. Twas ever thus.
The dole scrounger couldn't believe how small the family budget was.
Found it. £37k in 2003, mental.
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/tv-family-s-ben...
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Tuesday 28th June 15:21
Ntv said:
Yes, to be fair it has been substantially the reaction of the west that has caused the massive shock wave - whether one agrees with it on moral grounds or not.
I completely disagree. I'd argue the shock 'our' reaction has caused now is magnitudes smaller than the shock we'd experience later if we did nothing and allowed Russia to roll on through Ukraine and at least Moldova. Given the choice of disruption now or far greater disruption later the cause of all this lies only with Russia.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff