The Bewilderness

Eurozone moves to preserve depression in aspic

The Liberal Democrat leader defended his party's position towards the European Union with a reference to the referendum lock during Deputy Prime Minister's question time in the House of Commons yesterday. This refers to an Act of Parliament passed during the early days of the coalition stating that any treaty change has to be put to the British people. It does not refer to an in/out referendum.

Now, it is clear that treaty change will form part of the European agenda in the next two years. M. Hollande, in his press conference today, clearly stated that the Eurozone elite: impervious to economic suffering, will integrate and preserve depression in aspic. The Eurozone will form the core of a political unit and, reflecting on his history, Hollande noted that Britain had not joined Europe at the beginning of the treaties.

When the Conservatives are unable to agree on a consensus towards Europe, and a new Treaty will promote Eurozone integration with negotiations commencing in June, the sirenic call of a referendum can only grow stronger.

A depressed, depopulated desert: the southern €zone?

I attended a lecture and book luanch this evening by Gavin Hewitt, BBC Editor for Europe, who has taken time oit to write a tome of contemporary history on the elite proceedings during the current crisis of the €. Hewitt set the stage with some thoughts on the emasculation of leaders, the gradual growth of fears over unemployment and the erosion of an adherence to austerity. 

Hewitt was honest in navigating between positions and showing how some criticisms are shared by both Europhiles and Eurosceptics. The problem is that their answers are different.

Yet, the talk omitted demographics. The depressed Mediterranean is suffering from a declining population with birthrates nowhere near replacement level. A crisis of economic growth was due to hit at some point. Yet, the crisis may have brought the effects of the demographic trap forward by encouraging emigration and creating a structural problem of youth unemployment. This would have crept up on the countries sometime within the next decade. Now that demographic death rattle can be heard within the Eurozone as a depressed depopulated desert becomes one outcome.  

Masking enhancement

As I am always on the lookout for news of potential technologies that enhance the sensorium, I was gratified of some recent work at the Royal College of Art in London. First was the gratifying surprise that such work has been undertaken outside of the expected environment: laboratories run under Big Science grants or via corporate investment. Not to decry these sources, but a greater diversity of institutional sources for these projects should lead to more competition and innovation. Good to see the arts involved.

The art students developed masks which could provide an ability to single out ambient sounds (such as a single performer in an orchestra) using a directional microphone or utilising video to enhance sight. Early but important steps!

  

In/Out Irony

Scotland may achieve what UKIP desire for the rest of us. If only they could accept membership on our behalf and let us leave. I have no hesitation in letting our good neighbours north of the border remain in the EU, whilst the remainder of the UK adjusts to life outside.

Salmond and the SNP government are unable to guarantee continued membership of the European Union. Despite a rhetorical flourish, this could prove to be the most contentious bar to a positive independence vote. Bad enough that Scotland leaves the UK, but removal from the EU could prove economically harmful for the first few years of independence.

The SNP has not explored the legal implications in any depth for fear of the political consequences. They are now being found out.

What a ghastly irony plays out if the Scottish vote for union on fears of leaving the EU, only to find themselves departing a few years later if the whole of the UK votes for an exit.