It's a useful way of not having to put a time, or even place, to something that happened a while ago. The 'when' and the 'where' are not needed, what's important is just 'what' was said or happened. You might say that it's a useful way of being precisely vague! And so 'back along' the global outlook was all rosy and positive: not in some post-Millenium buzz as that was savaged by 9/11. 'Back Along
' was somewhere between the fall of Baghdad in April 2003 and late-July 2007. By that September banks globally were having trouble funding themselves and come September 2008 Lehmann's had spectacularly imploded, threatening the entire global financial system and with it our entire way of life and security. The hangover has been painful and enduring.
'Back Along' the world was set to embrace democracy, the rule of law, and facebook. The outcome would be that borders and boundaries would come down, whilst ancient enmities and misunderstandings would be swept away by the digital revolution and easy travel. Finance and globalisation would keep us all employed, prosperous and happy. The futurists convinced us that technological progress would solve those pesky problems of climate change, population growth and the pressure on the planet and her resources. Unfortunately it hasn't quite panned out that way. But all is not lost! This blog attempts to highlight when and where we continue to go wrong, but then, and this is key, to wherever possible point out a solution, a better policy, or a more productive approach. Comment and debate is much sought after and very welcome. Somewhere about the blog are facebook, twitter and email links and comment boxes. Please use them as much as possible! In short 'GGR Writes' aims to restore the 'Back Along' into the 'Here and Now'. Gavin Grier-Rees
Devon
October 2014
