What is hacking you off today?

[Supernaut]

However bad China is in terms of polution, who's actually to blame? The Chinese, or countries like us who have transferred nearly all their manufacturing to China? Everything that is made in China would have to be made somewhere, unless we're prepared to go without, or even accept higher prices.

Can anybody explain in simple terms to a dullard like me how we were once able to sustain a manufacturing industry, and then at some point we couldn't? In the words of Fred Willard - wha' happen??

 

[manor15]

Can anybody explain in simple terms to a dullard like me how we were once able to sustain a manufacturing industry, and then at some point we couldn't? In the words of Fred Willard - wha' happen??

At a most basic level, people/trade unions decided they wanted more money to work in manufacturing because they were on similar wages to the easy service sector jobs which were appearing and governments put in more rules and regs which cost money to implement.

At the same time, other developing countries were appearing and offering to make things at a fraction of the price by paying their workers next to nothing and letting companies do whatever they wanted.

Businesses went abroad and most consumers weren't too bothered as it meant things got cheaper or stayed at a similar price.

 

[Supernaut]

At a most basic level, people/trade unions decided they wanted more money to work in manufacturing because they were on similar wages to the easy service sector jobs which were appearing and governments put in more rules and regs which cost money to implement.

At the same time, other developing countries were appearing and offering to make things at a fraction of the price by paying their workers next to nothing and letting companies do whatever they wanted.

Businesses went abroad and most consumers weren't too bothered as it meant things got cheaper or stayed at a similar price.

Thanks. Pretty appalling state of affairs all round really. #ModernLifeIsRubbish

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I attended lectures by Vincent Cable and Gordon Brown when they were still famous!

And I went to one given by George Brown.Touché.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

The FN's success in the first round of local elections in France on Sunday.Frightening.

 

[londonblue]

The FN's success in the first round of local elections in France on Sunday.Frightening.

Unsurprising though. It's the usual knee jerk reaction.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Those ***** from the legal department.

 

[Napster]

Those ***** from the legal department.

marketing for me. get a move on!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Can anybody explain in simple terms to a dullard like me how we were once able to sustain a manufacturing industry, and then at some point we couldn't? In the words of Fred Willard - wha' happen??

People decided they preferred to buy cheaper foreign goods to more expensive inferior British mass manufactured goods. You can't really blame them. More people in the UK were then able to afford cars, fridges, TVs etc. The world opened up more - the EU opened up Europe; the fall of the Soviet Union opened up Eastern Europe; Asia developed - not just China, but before them Japan and then South Korea and now the likes of India, Thailand and Vietnam. Improved transport technology means we can transport these goods ever cheaper, making location less of a factor.

We switched the low margin high volume basic stuff to more advanced, more specialised and consequently higher margin but lower volume stuff. Plus there was a greater shift towards service industries - which is far less likely to kill you and altogether more pleasant than being sent down a coal mine.

In relative terms China's greener than we were - just ask Cricko about the London smog - at that stage of our development and are developing a lot quicker than we were. But they are also a lot bigger, which magnifies the problem.

 

[RHB]

This feels like an Economic History lecture which I always found so scintillating in my student days.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Me. Just having the one, maybe two. Yeah, that works. :nope:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Unsurprising though. It's the usual knee jerk reaction.

Hardly.MLP is now almost certain to be the second round Presidential candiate for the FN in two year's time..Shades of 2002.Scary:stunned:

 

[londonblue]

Hardly.MLP is now almost certain to be the second round Presidential candiate for the FN in two year's time..Shades of 2002.Scary:stunned:

Agreed, but people voted tactically then to keep them out. I'm pretty confident the same will happen again should it come to that.

 

[C C Csiders]

Unbelievable that Bollywood have made a Muslim version of Star Wars: Return of the Jihadi

 

[Uncle Leo]

Not today, but last night. Saw some joker in the pub playing pool but continuing to chat on his phone by resting it between his ear and shoulder. Hope you lost the game you ignorant ****.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Agreed, but people voted tactically then to keep them out. I'm pretty confident the same will happen again should it come to that.

They will have to vote tactically to keep her party out on Sunday too but will almost certainly fail in at least two regions.French democracy is in turmoil.

Have a read of Houellebecq's wonderful Submission for an ironic look at what might happen in the future.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Was round London Bridge/Borough Market last night - the pubs were absolutely rammed like it was Friday night, so much so that me & the mates stood outside. Crazy - is it like that throughout the year? Or just because Christmas is coming.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Was round London Bridge/Borough Market last night - the pubs were absolutely rammed like it was Friday night, so much so that me & the mates stood outside. Crazy - is it like that throughout the year? Or just because Christmas is coming.

It's because these people have money.

 

[MK Shrimper]

It's because these people have money.

Well if they're ****ing it away every night it won't do them much good!

 

[Berrichonne shrimper]

They will have to vote tactically to keep her party out on Sunday too but will almost certainly fail in at least two regions.French democracy is in turmoil.

Have a read of Houellebecq's wonderful Submission for an ironic look at what might happen in the future.

Just because you do not like the Fronts politics and others do does not mean that French politics is in turmoil it means that is working well.
Politics and people who think that only their view is a valid one are hacking me off today.