* Wonders how long it will be before we see the first National Government 'brought to you in Association with...' *

Iceland sponsored by Coke?

Greenland sponsored by Pepsi?

UK sponsored by McDonalds?

I had a narrow escape from the whole Icelandic episode. Early last year I was looking to invest in a high interest account and ING offered me a reserve account through Krapthing (or somesuch) Iceland giving an APR of 18% (or something suitably insane). My advisor looked through all the small print, saw that protection was virtually non-existant and advised me against it.

If even IN bloody G were advising people to stick money in Iceland, what hope did we (as a Nation of investors) have of not getting screwed over?

Hmmm... I wonder if we can buy shares in Iceland yet? I fancy a stake in the Country...

'offered me a reserve account through Krapthing'

Perhaps the name tingled his spidey sense... 

If only it were that simple, eh! A new law were every company name has to reflect how good the company is.

Funnily enough I just found this (written back in March!) talking about the Icelandic banks including Kaupthing.

Hmmm.. if an internet journo could figure out the banks were in trouble, are we really supposed to believe that Councils & local organisations couldn't?

I couldn't articulate my views better than Bob.

Governments are now tinkering with the symptoms rather than dealing with the underlying cause of the problem.

Not just down to the MP's and Politicians to make change though, is it? If we let things continue the way they are then are we really any less to blame?

The last time serious numbers took to the streets was 68 and where are all those people now? Well if you check out the ring leaders such as Daniel Kohn Bendit you'll find they're the politicians and business leaders that now run the show. I'm past doing anything ather than using my limited economic power.

Maybe there is a generation out there that can change things but frankly I wouldn't rely on the current generation of 20 years olds to do anything more than play out a virtual revolution on PS2.

IMO a big part of the problem with Society as it stands today is our desire to always have someone to hold accountable. As long as we still have that need then nobody is ever going to stand up and say just how crappy the system actually is, because if they do so - they end up (potentially) being the ones that everyone else holds accountable.

I like the idea of a Revolution simulator on the games consols John, I'd lose hours to one of those!

Sadly Google translate is letting me down quite badly and we didn't have German as a language option at School when I were a young'un. I will admit to being somewhat concerned by the square jawed blue eyed blonde haired man featuring strongly in a video by a German band... especially one calling for (I can only assume) political change.

Not normally one to play to stereotypes but how about we don't let the Germans lead the next social revolution, eh?

Mr Farin Urlaub. A better world leader you couldn't wish for.

In the early days of the Net I thought (or hoped) it would lead to great change. Universal access to all knowledge, an open forum for the free exchange of ideas and ideals. A multi-national, multi-cultural media that would break down traditional barriers and boundaries.

In fact it seems only to have reinforced them. People stick in their little niches and cliques and become fundamentalist whatever they ares rather than opening up. We go out less, socialise and participate less in workings of society. I'm typical sat here with a TV in one corner and a PC in the other. If I didn't meet people at the pool or ride a bike I could go through life not saying much more than "thank you" at the checkout. As for missing my favourite soap to go out and protest or contribute to anything - no chance.

Don't give up on the Internet yet John, it's still very young. There's an awful lot of untapped potential (and I'm not just talking about flashier & faster methods of communication, nice as that is). Eventually I chose to believe it will become more than a resource for free porn and will actually do something really useful.

As soon as we as a species grow beyond wanting the free porn, anyway

I recently had a very confusing (real - face to face) discussion with a Friend of mine. He lives in the same town as his Brother, Sister and Parents and is proud of the fact they talk all the time. Well his idea of talking all the time is very different to mine - they communicate via Facebook, he couldn't actually remember the last time he'd called them when it wasn't an emergency.

Personally, I think that's really sad.

Says the bloke sitting typing at a keyboard

You should read up about the way people in China are using the net to link up and protest, John, might give you a little hope. Or not. Example.

By the way, I think you're wrong - there are fundamental changes coming to the way we live. This hasn't played out yet by a long way.

Such as Monty?

I think we agree on the forced changes due to Energy costs, demographics, climate change and shortages, but here (inspired by Bob's first post) were talking about a voluntary tackling of the social issues facing us; what the French refer to as les acquis sociaux (collective rights), hard won over the centuries by humanist philosophers, revolutionaries, union leaders, scientists and now threatened for many people by disorder in the world financial system.

Hmmm, that is a long sentence.

I'm sure Peter & Jordan had a hand in it as well. And the Beckhams. If we can lock them up at the same time I think 'all' of our problems would be solved.