I'm a Brit who lives in China, and I love it, but...
The idea of saying "the UK should be more like China" seems pretty crazy to me. China is still, on average, a *lot* poorer than China. Wales is still a lot richer than Timor. So, while it's fine to point out the admirable things about these Asian cultures, I don't think the fact that the Welsh intelligensia doesn't want their country to become Timor means that they are unintelligent.
You've pointed out yourself that you are in a particularly privileged position within your country. Just look at which way the migration flows: Brits aren't finagling any way they can find to move to China; I assume the flow is mainly out of Timor. The west still has its attractions.
I think you're right that the British economy in general needs some kind of a tonic, but saying "be more like developing Asia" just isn't ever going to have an audience. If you can show what is great here, then people will be more receptive (I quixotically believe!).
Emlyn, I'm sorry to read that you have met with disdain for expressing thoughtful and considered opinions about the future of your country. As someone else below said, it's the same everywhere. In Australia, anyone coming back from working overseas gets - well nothing really, completely blank stares as if international experience doesn't mean much, and you end up going back overseas to work. Since i discovered your blog because of the magical enchantment, I'm looking forward to reading more. Still, your ideas from the last few posts I've read tonight might get better reception here on this platform. Good luck!
Hello Emlyn. Aaron here. Sad to hear about the Welsh intelligentsia. But it is the same all over the western world. Here in Canada with the recent Trump bloviating and tariffs some of the output of our cognoscenti is simply comedic; they live in their own little bubble. They want to be free of the USA without giving up any privileges that being in our position brings.
I'm a Brit who lives in China, and I love it, but...
The idea of saying "the UK should be more like China" seems pretty crazy to me. China is still, on average, a *lot* poorer than China. Wales is still a lot richer than Timor. So, while it's fine to point out the admirable things about these Asian cultures, I don't think the fact that the Welsh intelligensia doesn't want their country to become Timor means that they are unintelligent.
You've pointed out yourself that you are in a particularly privileged position within your country. Just look at which way the migration flows: Brits aren't finagling any way they can find to move to China; I assume the flow is mainly out of Timor. The west still has its attractions.
I think you're right that the British economy in general needs some kind of a tonic, but saying "be more like developing Asia" just isn't ever going to have an audience. If you can show what is great here, then people will be more receptive (I quixotically believe!).
Emlyn, I'm sorry to read that you have met with disdain for expressing thoughtful and considered opinions about the future of your country. As someone else below said, it's the same everywhere. In Australia, anyone coming back from working overseas gets - well nothing really, completely blank stares as if international experience doesn't mean much, and you end up going back overseas to work. Since i discovered your blog because of the magical enchantment, I'm looking forward to reading more. Still, your ideas from the last few posts I've read tonight might get better reception here on this platform. Good luck!
Hello Emlyn. Aaron here. Sad to hear about the Welsh intelligentsia. But it is the same all over the western world. Here in Canada with the recent Trump bloviating and tariffs some of the output of our cognoscenti is simply comedic; they live in their own little bubble. They want to be free of the USA without giving up any privileges that being in our position brings.
I look forward to your next series of posts.