A social revolution?

Pobby

Just a thought. We are pretty much in the grips of a recession, think most of us will agree on that. When we get through this do you think we as a society will change?

For years all I have heard is " my house is now worth xxxxx". Yadda, yadda yadda about some old carp. Wether it`s a talentless celeb, the latest games console, new car or some holiday. Weddings costing £10s of thousands of pounds.

Imho we have judged ourselves as a society as not what we are but what we " own " ( For own, often read owe ). I don`t see people very happy these days, albeit that they drive a car worth what a house would be 10 years ago. I do see or I am starting to see people stressing out now, some on much reduced incomes still trying to live the life they had maybe a few years ago.

Most of the youngsters in my family are " bread heads ". One or two in their late teens already in debt. Another distant relative of mine has an interest only mortgage for £300k and also a buy-to-let flat.

So when the dust has settled and we are all returned to some stability do you think that we might return to some more positive values?

I am thinking about the values I witnessed when growing up in the 50`s and 60`s. Then there was a sense of decency. Hard to describe but my guess is that anyone of a similar age to me will recall. Being responsible at a personal level was part of it. Not being a dodgy bonus hungry banker who couldn`t care less. Or a lying politician who gets away with it and cares even less.

Dunno. What do you think ?

Davesnave

You are not getting me to say I behaved responsibly in the 60s!

I know what you mean though. It's hard to pin this down, but I agree that society has become nastier. The thing about the 60s was that we were all like kids in a Harry Potter sweet shop, constantly amazed at the new goods on offer and the scientific progress that seemed to make wild future aspirations possible.

However, all that was tempered with a very stong feeling that we might not live to see that future. 'Live fast, die young,' made some kind of sense, but most of us still took out crap insurance policies!

clobber_2

I'm not sure it will happen. It didn't take people long to start banging on again about how much their houses were worth after the last crash.

mvengemvenge

clobber wrote: »

I'm not sure it will happen. It didn't take people long to start banging on again about how much their houses were worth after the last crash.

I agree, but this is going to be different.

Mrs_Bones

I hope so.

PasturesNew

Perhaps we can build big structures, like the London Eye, in every town/village/area ... a giant treadmill, making the long-term unemployed generate free electricity for the rest of us

ManAtHome

Well, we've had the "juno whatme arsis wurf" in the 70s, 80s, and norties - next appearance in the 20s I'd guess. Until then, we'll probably get more than a bit of "positive values" coz we'll be mostly skint, but wouldn't hold your breath for any genuine social revolution...

Geenie

clobber wrote: »

I'm not sure it will happen. It didn't take people long to start banging on again about how much their houses were worth after the last crash.

True, but I think this one is going to be much tougher and for many more people. I lived through the last crash, but don't remember it being so tough and gloomy as this one! Perhaps my memory has faded as I was young, or perhaps, because I have always lived with a [strike]tight arsed [/strike] money concious darling, I didn't notice much change in our life style anyway!

I have waited 4 years until 2 days ago, to get a new bathroom suite in a room that was last done over 40 years ago!! No credit, loans or adding on to mortgages for us. We have managed quite well with the stained stuff that has been in use. Not pleasant, but not a great sacrifice either compared to getting into debt.

I think there is a change, and that people are really thinking now about what they buy, and how much stuff and money they waste. Not sure how long it will last though, as the next generation are use to having everything they want by indulgent, foolish parents.

A lot of it will be down to how the banks offer money over the coming years. If they have learnt and don't go back to throwing money and credit at everyone, there is hope, as people will not be able to spend what they don't have or saved.

nickmason

PasturesNew wrote: »

Perhaps we can build big structures, like the London Eye, in every town/village/area ... a giant treadmill, making the long-term unemployed generate free electricity for the rest of us

I think that's my first "I wish I could thank that twice" moment. :T

SingleSue

I never really lost the old values, I was one of those who would stand by watching in amazement as others installed 10k kitchens, 6k on holidays or purchased sofas for 5-6k even though their current one was only 2 years old.

I never got out of the old school thinking, even when we had the money to do so.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I think the early eighties and the yuppies(don't know if that's the correct spelling) spoilt everything.Young peoples attitudes just seemed to change overnight after the troubled 70s.You had to have this that and the other to be anybody.I was 25 in 1980 and suddenly young people seemed to turn into stepford wives.
Everybody seemed to go house buying mad and all you heard was by the time I'm such and such this will be worth?.I realy hated the 80s,life was never the same after that.Materialism gone mad.
I don't think things will change when this is all over.People will still want the same as before.Advertising and celebrity programmes and magazines will make them strive for what they can't afford and this will all happen again.
It's human nature or greed whichever you care to call it.