Good TV show on Sunday about extinctions. As with climate change, it’s unlikely that useful action will happen. It’s the tragedy of the commons yet again. Capitalism doesn’t cope well with effects on people who aren’t party to the contract. We do deals, and meanwhile the people of a far-off island drown. There is no allowance for future generations. Capitalism can be tweaked to account for these things, but not as long as nations are in competition, and that isn’t going to change this side of the kingdom of God. So we do our best to apply sticking-plasters without being able to cure the disease. People can use purchasing power to buy ethical stuff, but not enough people who want this have enough purchasing power, and if you’re facing the choice between feeding your kids and not feeding them, you’re not going to worry about the source of your food.
Hey ho. “KBO” as Winston Churchill used to say.
The early morning was gently warm for a walk up the Trail. No novice balloonists today.
Last Sunday’s reflection that I listened to in church about the unforgiving servant was good, and I couldn’t help thinking about public life, where we’re inconsistent about rules (just like that household was inconsistent about forgiveness). The government doesn’t have to obey the law, but we do, it seems. The argument about protecting the UK’s vital interests is nonsense as well. What could be more vital than preserving the progress towards peace in Ireland? Imagine how much blood has flowed, how much sweat and how many late night coffees there’ve been and how much energy has been expended by people trying to make peace – all to be undermined in a stroke of national vanity.