What's been bothering you?

[Dent]

Osu!

In a philosophical vein...

Are we progressing as a species, or is it all an illusion based on technology?

Osu!

[tmd]

Progress? Interesting concept what is progress, that life becomes easier or that more of us survive or that we live longer?

It is such a subjective measurement and one so easily manipulated to meet any particular agenda on any given day that the answer would have to be.....Yes & NO!

Or the short answer read my signature.....

[hasbeen]

whats bothering me....

why is the pound sterling being hung out to dry against all major currencys, when our interest rates are higher etc etc.....is it just fashion?

i.e britain is in the same sort of financial state as the u.s but their currency gets stronger...ours weeker.

i.e thailand is in a mess a the moment, this seasons tourist season is in tatters, the current problems are costing them millions and their reputation is tainted but the thai baht has actually gained against the pound........i am hoping somebody with a financial brain could explain this to me.......thanks!!

[tmd]

Originally Posted by hasbeen

whats bothering me....

why is the pound sterling being hung out to dry against all major currencys, when our interest rates are higher etc etc.....is it just fashion?

i.e britain is in the same sort of financial state as the u.s but their currency gets stronger...ours weeker.

i.e thailand is in a mess a the moment, this seasons tourist season is in tatters, the current problems are costing them millions and their reputation is tainted but the thai baht has actually gained against the pound........i am hoping somebody with a financial brain could explain this to me.......thanks!!

As far as I know (and it's not a lot) it's all to do with the perceived strength/ value against the true value of our economy which is now in the loo, what has to be factored in is how strong it was and what that strength was based on, for the last god knows how long our manufacturing sector has been in decline and the 'BOOM' was caused by an increase in Public sector spending (which causes greater national debt which eventually has to be paid) and the global financial markets basing themselves here coz we had a low level of regulation - ergo once that low level of regulation led (inevitably) to a collapse the only thing of strength in our economy, this has now dissipated and will continue to do so as regulation rises along with our national debt therefore so does the strength against its true value of the £ against say the $ or Euro etc etc.

The underlining problem going forward is, our manufacturing, the only thing that might benefit from low exchange rates has declined even in a boom by another million jobs over the last 5 years, we will need greater regulation therefore the banking guys will continue to move away, our Gov spends, wastes and borrows cash at truly staggering rates (by 2012 we will owe 63% of what we produce as a nation (GNP)) for minimal returns against long term forecasts that are frankly laughable but what do they care they know they'll be kicked out in 2 years time and take up their creamy jobs on the board of XYZ corporation

This is us 'reaping the rewards' of voting in a fraud and a joker 8 years ago

[jcc]

Osu! hasbeen,

I think tmd has summed it up pretty well. This all reminds me of a friend who gave up a fairly good job a few years back - in order to join a company selling mobile phone 'packages' for business. I just laughed at her and said something like she was now selling air to people! I think the same thing has happened to the UK. The whole economy was moved into the 'service' sectors, which is just selling air to people. There has also been a brain drain (well, I left) and I don´t see too many gold or diamond mines lying around the place.

Also, a lot of this was funded with revenue from the gas and oil from the North Sea, which is now running out. So what is the UK really worth? Not too much at the moment, I´m afraid!

Osu!

[hasbeen]

osu tmd,jcc.....good answers but what would have happend if we had joined the euro?

would this have safeguarded us somewhat?

[Bloke]

We are in the Eurozone and the Irish economy isnt much better (if at all)

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Bloke

We are in the Eurozone and the Irish economy isnt much better (if at all)

osu bloke! has the euro crashed as much agains the dollar as the pound?

[Bloke]

The euro to the dollar used to be €1:€1.50 and at present thats down to €1.20 so it has dropped a bit but we are better againsnt sterling at the moment (used to be generally €1:£0.60 but now its €1:£0.84)

[jcc]

Osu! h,

The dollar seems to have risen from the dead for some incomprehensible reason. Maybe the "Obama" effect?? Who knows what makes these money-market dealers tick? More difficult to figure out that the opposite.... Ooops, ´nuff said

Osu!

[tmd]

It's a big question H - personally I don't think if we'd been in the Euro Zone we would have attracted the financial power houses that drove us so hard upward in the last 10 years, I know Gordon claimed he drove the economy but but funny how he also claimed not to be behind the wheel when it crashed???

If we'd had the same levels of control as the rest of the Euro Zone I think it would have see even more big buz settle in Ireland or Germany as why wouldn't you if there was no difference in regulation but huge financial incentives as there were/ are?

So we would not have boomed or bust quite as heartily and maybe just maybe people would have been more aware of all the tricks Gordon played on us behind the smoke and mirrors of the BOOM and these clowns would not have got so long in power.

[smoothsake]

Something that has always bothered me...

Why is it that when Brits sing they lose their accents and sound like Americans?

[tmd]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Something that has always bothered me...

Why is it that when Brits sing they lose their accents and sound like Americans?

That's funny I thing everyone sounds like the come from LONDON Except for Rap which can only be done by the good old US of A boys and Rock which I submit sound American so I guess that's what your into smoothy?

[Dent]

Osu!

There are several Scottish raps where the lyrics are (fortunately) neither printable, nor understood by many of those who have heard them.

I prefer this song though:

YouTube - The Proclaimers - Throw The 'R' Away

Osu!

[tmd]

RAPS?????? REALLY????????? This is like Rap but something is missing Bud Can u C what it Could C I mean be?

Disclaimer: I am only drawing attention to the lack of Rap here I actually like the proclaimers ( does anyone know if there greatest hits album comes with subtitles? )

[Dent]

Osu!

I know the Proclaimers aren't rapping, TMD. They were my example of British musicians who don't sound like Americans

I also know that with our Forum rules regarding vulgarity, and my own common decency, there's no way I would subject our wonderful members to the Scottish rap I have heard thus far. There may be some that should be heard, but it hasn't crossed my earhole yet.

Osu!

[Aunty Ichigeki]

Originally Posted by tmd

That's agreed Nix but f they have been blind from birth what does a Cat or an Airplane look like to them?

A cat would look soft and furry, would purr and smell like fish. An airplane would look loud, uncomfortable and hungry but there would be dry roasted nuts in teeny bags... and scary toilets... ... how do they aim?

[Nix]

As for more stupid questions, I was helping organizing an event in a youth club this weekend. At a point we collected money, because we were going to pick up the pizzas they had ordered. Ten minutes later I cross the room carrying about seven boxes of pizzas, and a bag of shawarmas. One of the kids (about 14) approaches me: "Hey, have the pizzas arrived yet?". I turn around and look at him for a second. "No. No, the pizzas have definatelly not arrived yet." - "Oh... Damn.".

As for another pizza related story, one of my mates were organizing a different event one time, and his father went to the pizzeria to pick up the fifty pizzas they had ordered. So the guy behind the counter asks him "Take out or eat in?". He immediatly tell him "I'll just eat'em here.", and the pizzaguy almost fell over in shock. I mean, why even bother asking?

Originally Posted by Dent

I know the Proclaimers aren't rapping, TMD. They were my example of British musicians who don't sound like Americans

You should listen to Flogging Molly. American-Irish band, who mixes traditional Irish folk music with punk/rock. It's actually really great. There's some mad violin solos in between.

YouTube - Flogging Molly "Laura" (video)