Reply to: Is the UK doomed to pro-longed decline?

[RichardCranium]

Is the UK doomed to prolonged decline?

Yes.

Next.

[norrahe]

That's what she said.

They do those things to get sex, not to be good at it.

[d000hg]

ummm, how did that end up in here?

That's what she said.

It would be quite funny though Fry was right, all these guys going to the gym, buying expensive clothes to attract women, would be a complete waste of time.

They do those things to get sex, not to be good at it.

[RichardCranium]

Dim siarad Saesneg.

Ni allaf siarad Cymraeg.

[Sysman]

Look at Germany instead: all those and no English. They must really be failing miserably, then.

But the educated Germans do have good English, at least the German engineers and IT bods I come across.

[kandr]

It would be quite funny though Fry was right, all these guys going to the gym, buying expensive clothes to attract women, would be a complete waste of time.

[Mich the Tester]

A better question might be "Why should we men care?"

ummm, how did that end up in here?

[shaunbhoy]

Stephen Fry is not known for sound rationale. He also thinks women don't actually enjoy sex, they just put up with it and pretend.

Then again, he might be right... how would we men know?

A better question might be "Why should we men care?"

[Mich the Tester]

There may be such people around but they're not the ones setting policy and drafting legislation.

Perhaps we have to go through a period of stupidity and populism before the plebs realise their influence on decision making is only getting them deeper into trouble.

[sasguru]

...the far sighted view of a few clever people can see us through.

There may be such people around but they're not the ones setting policy and drafting legislation.

[Mich the Tester]

We can value things, but if the people with the money to invest don't, what are the worth.

We are on the way out, what we value is heading the same way.

Well you have a point; I see a culture (Europe in general) in which things of value are being destroyed in favour of cheapness and 'efficiency´. I think Europe´s intellectual traditions and cultural development are at real risk from short sighted populism and blind cost-cutting. But I´m optimistic that the intellectual freedom and the far sighted view of a few clever people can see us through.

[alreadypacked]

WHS

I think the UK has a good future as long as investment in scientific education continues, as does all of western Europe. I think the doomthinkers who say China's going to 'overtake' us all have missed out on something; Europe has a fine combination of good scientific education, heavily subsidized fundamental research AND intellectual freedom. You could build a CERN in China, but the one big advantage Europe has is that you´re allowed to think and say whatever you like, you´re allowed to study whatever you like and publish whatever you like; that means a whole lot of bumph and the occasional nugget that really changes the world. As long as the UK gets its middle education level up to European levels, and continues to fund leading universities, it´ll be OK. The Americans are in real danger of destroying their scientific base in an orgy of creationism, while the Chinese discourage unconventional thinkers. Remember; technology and applied science needs pure science to keep innovating; Europe is well placed to lead the world in pure science.

We can value things, but if the people with the money to invest don't, what are the worth.

We are on the way out, what we value is heading the same way.

[Mich the Tester]

Having a minority language also protects native culture.

What, like Welsh?

[Paddy]

Where can we be world-beaters? We may have had decent scientists, engineers, inventors in the past, but I see no reason why other countries can't do better than us now. We don't have the natural resources, nor the driven-population that could extract us from the mire. Our costs are high, and our infra-structure is creaking at the seams. So, what's going to save us? The only natural advantage we currently have, from where I'm looking, is the English language.

The English language is not an asset, it is a disadvantage. Had we a minority language we would learn English as a second language. By having English as our first language has opened up our country to mass immigration and exploitation. Having a minority language also protects native culture.

[lukemg]

I think we are going to get squeezed, prospect of a switch to a 'knowledge' economy where we could keep an advantage has fizzled out with gloabalisation and data transfer rates increases.
My plan B consists of investments - Most of this is going East at the moment, they do well I get some benefit - nice...