Author: Richard

The following is a response to a discussion with my son. I love it that we do not agree, I think we both think each other a bit pig headed! The one argument I will not back down on is the world population.  In my lifetime it has gone from 2.6 billion to nearly 8 billion.  That is another 5.400.000.000 mouths to feed, bodies to clothe and house and approximately an extra 5.4billion x 20cm shit per day impacting on the environment (rich or poor!)!  I accept that the rich 1% have a disproportionate impact on the environment (especially air pollution and climate change), but the evidence of species facing extinction is appalling species on earth have declined by 20-40% in last 100 years whist humans have increased by 5/600%.

It is not just the rich burning the rainforest and destroying environments.  Companies extracting raw materials might be run by the rich but they are producing goods for the consumer, and the more people = more consumers (and more profits for the rich).  Cut the profits for the rich will not reduce the demand for these products.  I accept that you may be correct about the 3rd industrial revolution (although I believe it will take decades before it becomes normal).  

Perhaps the biggest issue we did not discuss was who will control AI?  Some big issues there.  Also how much of the world will be covered by the 3rd Industrial Revolution (I think the word modern needs inserting! – Iron Age was surely an industrial revolution?  Many parts of the world are barely out of the Iron Age and have skipped the others.  It is fascinating to think what impact AI will have in the Sahel or Magreb regions of Northern Africa.  And presumably the mass unemployment you suggested would happen could suggest too many people?

In 1700 probably 80%+ people in the UK worked in primary industries. By 1900 this had fallen to approx 20% whilst manufacturing (in the cities) had grown tonally 50%.  Today primary is less than 5%, secondary industry around 20% or less, whilst services are 7-80%.  But the AI sector of R&D is above 10%.  Forever changes and not always apocalyptical!  

Our conversations are always lovely and make me think.  You once said that I will never admit I am wrong – well I think this is showing that I am willing to countenance this absurd possibility!😀  Seriously though I think you are correct about AI and the 4th Industrial Revolution happening but do not agree with your suggested outcomes.  

I hope you do not see this as patronising or bigoted!

We have only one planet, and it is not getting bigger.  Population growth (fortunately slowing down) is a major hazard to all life on earth. If our way of life in this country for the masses was replicated around the globe we would need about 2 planet Earths (with the rich it is over 3).  The disproportionate distribution of wealth exacerbates this, and the wanton consumption of the wealthy has an exponential impact!  I think I may have swallowed a thesaurus! (Fucking love spell check!).  

I had aspirations and a belief in the goodness of people and thought the future would be better. I joined Greenpeace and raised money for them. I eventually became a teacher and did my best to enlighten children to the wonderful world we live in and point out the problems we are causing.

OK I was idealistic but realised it would take time. Incremental progress was being made – whaling banned by all but countries – all was positive. Even Thatcher did not kill my optimism. Basically it all started going disastrously wrong with pony David Cameron and the Eton cabal. Johnson destroyed any belief in human nature, Truss emphasised it and Sunak obliterated whatever hope I had with his right wing paymasters.

What do I tell my grandchildren about the future? Without lying.

Sleaze-Dogg says troops should shut up and do as they are told. He also wanted to say that to the rest of workers on strike. His opinion is of course worth more than anyone else as he was born to privilege and an affected speech defect. Sunak has disappeared from sight as he has nothing to say of any importance. The last comment I saw from him was telling Gary Neville to stick to football. A pattern is developing here – tell the workers to shut up and be grateful. No negotiation or discussions. The government have also said they will introduce more anti-union legislation on the new year.

A start with a C List celebrity – Jeremy Clarkson spouting misogynistic pornography with the collusion of the Sun paper (which made a loss of over £50 million last year). He has made a statement which is far from an apology. Freedom of speech would seem to have been clearly transgressed here. Personally I think Harrying Megan are spoilt rich privileged brats, but Clarkson went beyond acceptability. Yet I am sure there are many low life who will support this, from under all stones of politics (rich and poor: left and right). Personally I see this as more evidence to get rid of the monarchy and sell off (or put into public ownership) most of the assets they have accrued via centuries of corruption. Camilla invited the toad to an expensive party (funded by us), only this weekend. If Megan sues the Sun it will be a gift to Murdoch & Co.

Honesty here. I totally agreed with proportional representation until the right wing mobilised. I could cope with a communist party that would probably never muster 5%. The Greens would get at least that and would be heard in Parliament. Now Reform or whatever fascist party is forming to the right is reaching 8% and possible 3x this. So I am nervous!

I guess I am also a little more than confused at how anyone would support a tosser like Farage. I guess I have underestimated the racism and sexism, and homophobia of the British Public. The rich have a vested interest in supporting the right wing – profits and labour suppression. The poor is a little more difficult. Is it the unobtainable dream that they while for? Or are they suckered into the blame game? Immigrants, unions, EU, wokes, vegans,, etc.