Struggling with the new reality

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Chris Warburton

almond-blossom-5378_1920 I admit I have been having trouble holding it together post the EU referendum result.

To sit by and have to watch the effects predicted take place is very hard for many.  The Leave camp responded to presented facts, by persuading people they were lies, to not believe experts and that we are Great Britain, be optimistic it will work out.

However now they are happening, it is being reported as fact, the mistruth is clear, yet the damage is done.  It is upsetting.

  • It is upsetting to watch the pound fall, markets drop, summer holiday prices and eventually food go up.  This is now being talked about as fact.  Where was all this reporting 1 week ago?
  • It is upsetting to have to read openly racist, bigotted and xenophobic comments being posted online.  It insults educated and respectable figures (not to mention making my blood boil).
  • It is upsetting to find out that a significant majority of those under 45, those that are the future of the country voted Remain, is heartbreaking. The young, the middle aged and the EU citizens who could not vote, are paying the pensions of the older group.  Those that voted Leave have denied their children and grand children many of the very opportunities they had, a (somewhat selfish) slap in the face.
  • It is upsetting to hear the leave campaign now admit some of their claims were false. Some clearly believed this stuff and yet now it is said untrue.
  • It is upsetting to hear talk of Scottish independence the very next day.  Hardly surprising for those in Scotland, however stunning that the leave group are surprised this would occur and the possibility of a UK breakup.
  • It is upsetting to observe the panic and now subdued nature of the leave campaign. They clearly did not expect to win.  The reality, there was no plan it appears, and now they need to solve for the mess they have created.
  • It is upsetting to hear EU officials talk of hardline negotiations and limited concessions.  The arrogance of some vs our true place in the world is becoming clear.  Our bargaining power is now limited.
  • It is upsetting to hear of EU nationals, who have been here for many years, paying UK taxes and being pro-UK now not feeling welcome in the country, being in tears as they drop their kids off at school and worrying about the uncertain prospects for their future.

And lastly

  • It is very upsetting to hear about Leave voters, being surprised and concerned on the result.  Saying ‘we never expected to win’, ‘it was a protest vote’, or ‘I didn’t expect this to happen’. This was not the vote to ‘send a message’, it was the real deal.

I will calm down, and probably need to stop posting, however I do not want to return to the pre-EU world of the 1970’s.  Something needs to be done to fix this.

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After the vote

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Chris Warburton

europe-1456245_1920Tomorrow in the United Kingdom the population is heading to the polls to vote to decide on continued membership of the European Union.

Whilst I have hesitated to mention politics on Linkedin (I have previously expressed my views here, with more articles here and a video here), this is a momentous vote.  Whatever the outcome it will undoubtedly have long reaching, long lasting effects on the economic and business environment for years to come.

The Great Debate

Watching the debate on the BBC last night, the tone of the recent campaign messages was particularly concerning. Flag waving, naked nationalism, rubbishing expert/scientific advice and a Pollyanna outlook were all on display, as were the divisions that have opened up in British society.

Throughout this, the media have been at pains to appear to show an unbiased view.  Every argument has had to have a response from the other side.  This is even if there were no facts and just a ‘the others are talking rubbish’ or ‘don’t worry it will be fine’.

They have appeared to relish in observing the fight, stoking the arguments and fanning the flames of discontent.

A step back for diversity?

Unfortunately this has had the unfortunate effect of surfacing some very unsavoury, xenophobic views.

And, these views have been provided a voice and disproportionate airtime.  With this airtime having a legitimising effect, normalising what would have previously be seen as unacceptable.

Diversity, it seems, may have just taken a big step backwards.

It may run deep and could have long consequences, beyond just the vote tomorrow.

After the vote:  some concerns

If the Remain group win, we should expect groups holding these views to be vocally upset; they have just been emboldened.  Further violent outbursts may indeed follow.

If the Leave group win, the group will be further encouraged, they will be in power and writing the laws. The views could easily get more extreme and easily written into legislation (especially if there is an economic collapse, with a search to find someone to blame).

British society has been built on diverse, tolerant, understated and pragmatic principles. It is something I am proud to be part of.

However a vote to Leave and the associated lurch to the right is not.  I believe it will be bad for business, our daily working environment and the strength we gain from diversity in the workplace.

Typically British

In typical British fashion, many do not want to say anything or rock the boat.  It is important however, in my personal view, to make your voice heard and vote for the tolerant, kinder society being presented by remaining in the EU.

I am still Remain.

(I also remain extremely concerned about the economic fallout:  the financial markets are swift, unsentimental and hard nosed, we should expect the pound to drop and consumer prices increase on a leave result, but that is another topic…)

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Why I went back to Blackberry…

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Chris Warburton

blackberries-1377070_1280I have a new iPhone for work.

It is great, there is an app for everything; ordering a taxi, checking traffic, the tides in Fiji or looking to see if that rumble was indeed an earthquake or just I missed lunch.

An app for everything…..

It was the same on my old android too. These smart phones have very quickly become the Swiss army knife of the 21st century, everything in one and everyone has one.

Why then did I make the decision, on replacing my android phone, to eschew an upgrade and go back to a Blackberry?

… back to basics can be good

No, it was not because it was once a proud Canadian icon of technology, nor nostalgia for a bygone era, (remember the BlackBerry 5810 anyone?)…. it was for functionality.  It is just really good at what it does.

It was the same reason I changed my watch.

I had one of the early smart watches, MSN Direct.  News, texts and weather all on my wrist.

However just like the smart phone I was a slave to my charger… never more than 12hours away from the electrical socket… It drove me crazy.

‘Downgrading’…

So I ‘downgraded’, switched to an automatic mechanical watch. It never needs winding, there is no battery to charge, or to change.

It simply tells the time and does it well…. what is there not to like, I have not looked back.

… seems to work

So now it is now the same for my smart phone. The Blackberry is my communicator; calls, emails, messaging and diary, that’s it.

With the keyboard, it is great… who would write long form notes standing on the train with an iPhone…!   and I don’t need to recharge all the time.

Of course I do miss some of my apps. Banking, booking hotels, trains, reading news and entertainment….. but isn’t this what the tablet is for?

Simplify… do a little less, but do it a little better.

Maybe this is just reverse snobbery or maybe advancing middle age… will I next have a desire for an allotment and start getting slippers for Christmas I wonder…  however sometimes it feels like we need to simplify, have things that do less, but do them well.

A pen needs to be a pen, paper paper, phone a communicator and the tablet is now the computer.

So far I am happy with the choice, just not sure how long it will last….

Still, off to snapchat about my problems with carrot fly (…in my slippers of course)!

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