Patterns on the Horizon

I was around early this morning. I find it a valuable time; it allows me to appreciate the new day before too many people have used it, before the noise of commuting and its associated shallow urgency. 

I also listened to the news for longer than I usually do, not so much to pick up new items, but more to listen for patterns, for issues coming together like gathering geese.

As I listened to the hasty retreat from Afghanistan, it reminds me less of Vietnam and more of nearly two hundred years ago, when the inhospitable terrain, the unforgiving and unpredictable weather, fractured tribal politics, turbulent relations with the local population and armed civilians led to Britain's downfall in Afghanistan. It is not a corner of the world that takes well to the Western concept of a nation-state. 

There has been a twenty-five per cent increase in 18-35-year-olds smoking due to the stresses generated during the lockdown.

The shortage of child care is causing real issues to working parents, driven…