C4 Dispatches: Middle Class and Jobless

bo_drinker

Generali wrote: »

According to Wikipedia, he has started 16 charities, lectures on architecture, helped start the Canadian version of the National Trust and runs a large organic processed and raw foods company (Duchy Originals, the profits of £6,000,000 go to charity). As well as all those bits and bobs things that come up like state funerals, looking after foreign leaders etc.

Saw some Duchy produce in a new pound shop here a couple of weeks ago, may be 2nds or similar.

wigglebeena

Careful, if you make any comments about the chavs-with-castles then the 'I'm not a royalist but...' faction pop up and start sneering. (You're royalists. Get over it.)

Vive la guillotine!

Jennifer_Jane

robin_banks wrote: »

Charlie's a funny one, not qualified to lecture on architecture ( I at least have a 17 year old degree/post grad in Town Planning), involved in organics in the current economic climate ain't a good thing.

Charles has a degree in Anthropology and Architecture from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Strangely enough, a lot of what the media used to decry him for, especially with regard to the architecture of the 1960's is now being given validity.

Talking about his charities, the main one - that he himself thought up and established - The Prince's Trust, appears to have helped a lot of children.

Jen
x

olly300

wharty wrote: »

Does the middle class really exist? As far as i am concerned if you offer a service for payment(wages) then you are working class in my eyes so that includes doctors,lawyers and uni graduates.

There are different class systems.

One ranks anyone without a job or working as the lowest class regardless of qualifications. So unemployed anyone is the lowest. And doctors and lawyers depending on who and how they work i.e. self-employed/single practice compared to working in a larger organisation and managing other staff are ranked are in the top classes.

olly300

robin_banks wrote: »

Charlie's a funny one, not qualified to lecture on architecture ( I at least have a 17 year old degree/post grad in Town Planning), involved in organics in the current economic climate ain't a good thing.

I didn't actually want to thank I wanted to quote you.

Jennifer_Jane really answered your first point.

The second thing about organics is more than just about tree hugging and what you eat, it's about sustainable agriculture. For example as the oil price increases artificial fertilizers are going to get more expensive in turn making food more expensive.

sjaypink

yorkshirekev wrote: »

People need to understand that this generation has the golden opportunity to expand their minds, broaden their experiences immeasurably and to have the most fulfulling time of their lives.

Recessions will come and go, in the end life is about broadening the mind and enriching the soul. Your professional and financial life will yo-yo regardless of the economic cycle.

Ignore the naysayers, if you can do it, do it. Just don't all expect to be masters of the universe. Enjoy your time and fill your life with interesting and bewitching company, then you won't go far wrong.

Kev

cheers kev- one of the most thoughtful, well balanced, inspiring posts i've read in a long time :T

andygb

olly300 wrote: »

There are different class systems.

One ranks anyone without a job or working as the lowest class regardless of qualifications. So unemployed anyone is the lowest. And doctors and lawyers depending on who and how they work i.e. self-employed/single practice compared to working in a larger organisation and managing other staff are ranked are in the top classes.

A stark example of this was in the "Maddy" case, where the parents were treated far better by the press because of their social background. If it had been a poor couple from Liverpool, then they would have been pilloried as irresponsible scallies.
There is a class system becoming ever more obvious as the recession deepens, with many more people slipping into poverty.

Heyman_2

andygb wrote: »

This agency was not interested in my CV or my experience, they just wanted a body to put in a job.
There are millions of able young men who are not qualified in anything, surely they should be doing this type of work.

That's agencies for you, you are a commodity to them and the sooner they place you in any kind of work the sooner they get their commission. Nothing wrong with it as they are trying to earn a living like the rest of us, but in these difficult times it doesn't surprise me that they will be desparate to place anyone anywhere to make their money.