Rhetoric

 Is it important to study Rhetoric?

    What if we really are in the 'End Days'? Not perhaps the dramatically choreographed end days of the the Book of Revelations, with the 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse', and the 'Beast'. But an end of the steady rise in health, wealth, leisure, human population; an end of the Good Times.   

    For such it has been all my 84 years of life. And making small adjustments I could add the 42 years that take us back to 1900. Some lucky few saw a disappearance of comfort and privilge in the early part of the 20th century, but the majority of Europeans will have seen an enormous improvement (in health, social care, longer holidays, opportunities for travel.)

    

    An erudite and well-researched book[1] came into my hands a few years ago that puts the argument that, in a democracy, the art of Rhetoric matters. From the classical Greeks to the republican Romans, from Pericles (c. 450 BC) to Cicero (c. 50 BC), the art of Rhetoric was regarded as an important area of study; crucial to the process of government.  On the other hand, Socrates famously argued that rhetoric was a dishonourable substitute for philosophy, a prostitute science, studying and teaching the art of subverting the proper science of good government. 

    When I was a teenager, I found and bought a second-hand copy of Archbishop Whately's 'Elements of Rhetoric' (1828)[1] which argued that persuasive argumentation required good logic. But at that age I sided with the idealistic Socrates rather than the pragmatic Whately. This book by Rob Goodman [1] argues that we should study and understand the importance of persuasion in modern politics in our tottering democracies. 

    Goodman's book reads like a Ph.D. thesis. He summarizes all the writings of Cicero, Burke, Macaulay, and Schmitt on the skills of the orator. But I have got nothing out of it. Nothing except the following single question.

    Take the four contemporary politicians: Trump, Farage, Biden and Starmer. Do we think that we are unduly swayed by the first two? 

    

[1] 'Words on Fire' (2022) Rob Goodman, Cambridge University Press.

[2] Richard Whately (1787–1863), an English academic and Archbishop of Dublin, authored the highly influential Elements of Rhetoric (1828). 

[3] Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) to Cicero (106 – 43 BC)

Keeping Cool

 Keeping Cool

    We have just lived through the three hottest UK June days ever, each day hotter than the day before. No doubt many people, like me, will have finally woken to the reality of 'Climate Change' and 'Global Warming'. Good!

    Of course we shall have to adapt, step by step, to meet these realities. There is some talk of fitting 'Air-Conditioning' in schools and old-people's homes. I hope we look also at passive means of keeping cool: shutters, insulation, trees, work-schedules, siestas. In the longer term we could look at the design of houses and villages in countries where these temperatures have been familiar for centuries.  

    While admitting the needs of schools and old-peoples-homes, I shall continue to regard air-conditioning as, for me, unnecessary, and degenerate. I see around me that many people are new to this technology and need educating about the etiquette. Mid-afternoon on the 24th June, I made my way from my dentist down to the bus terminus, choosing, for once, to walk through the air-conditioned shopping arcade rather than the 'fresh-air'  or 'canal-side' routes. I found that the automatic doors had been jacked open by the janitor staff. I expostulated to the first janitor I met. 
    "Which doors?", he asked.
    "Those out to the street!", I wooffed, for I still had a gauze wad clenched between my teeth. "Why are they open?"
    "To let in the air", he replied, as though I was the dumb one. I gave up and walked on down the hall to the information desk where I hoped for a more open mind.  I noticed all the doors to the outside were open. Again an uncomprehending shrug. On the point of giving up I turned back and tried a parting shot.
    "It is like leaving the fridge-door open! You pump all that heat out and it comes rushing back in.!
    "I see what you mean", he conceded.  

    My grand-daughter told me that her school class room was set at 22ºC, which shocked me. I remember learning, some decades ago, that California, faced with a shortage of electricity in summer, pleaded that no thermostat be set lower that 78ºF (25.5ºC) if the house is occupied. (Or 85°F if the house is unoccupied.) I know that I can manage sedentary work perfectly well at 25ºC.

Classical vs Modern Monetary Theory

Classical vs Modern Monetary Theory

I am intrigued that both Classical Monetary Theory (CMT) and Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) have a way of explaining how macroeconomics works, yet both think the other theory is wrong, while their own theory is right.  

I think it is generally agreed that it is bad to let a sovereign currency inflate, i.e. devalue. It is tantamount to stealing from anyone who holds cash in that currency. It is embarrassing and to be avoided. But deflation is also to be avoided. It seems there is an international consensus that a currency should inflate, but only by a steady 2% per annum. 

CMT believes that a thrifty, well run country should not run a deficit but should raise in taxation as much money as its government spends.  If there is a deficit, CMT believes that printing money, or simply writing it into existence, causes inflation –– at least, in the absence of growth in the economy.  For it believes that the value of a currency is a simple but inexorable function of the total quantity of 'Goods' divided by the total quantity of 'Money'.  The preferred CMT response to a deficit is to borrow on the international bond market. But the CMT economists warn that too much borrowing will 'spook' the markets and interest rates will go up. The country will find itself stretched over a barrel as more and more of our tax goes straight off to pay interest on our National Debt. Were inflation to occur, the Bank of England would raise interest rates, which inhibits the economy. That would curb spending by the poorer (indebted) citizens while cushioning (or even rewarding) the better-off lenders.

MMT believes that deficits are vital if the economy is to grow, as it is the only way that money (currency) can enter the private sector. MMT holds that taxes are not required to "pay for government", for there is no reason why the money cannot be created (by a sovereign government; provided that it does not cause inflation). If there is idle capacity in the economy, printing money should stimulate the economy. If the economy is at full employment and surplus money is still chasing goods and services there will be inflation. The MMT answer to inflation is to raise taxes (rather than interest rates). This takes money off those that have it (rather than those that do not have it). Taxes can have other beneficial effects besides reducing demand for goods; it can reduce inequality, and it can reduce e.g. smoking or carbon dioxide emission.

Where CMT thinks that the value of a currency is set by the ratio of the total quantity of 'Money' (defined narrowly, or broadly?) to the total quantity of 'Goods', it could be argued that prices are set much more locally, by people who know neither the total quantity of 'Money', nor of 'Goods'; prices even respond to 'expectations'. Look at the way BP's profits soared when the Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two theories is in the different ways in which they propose to handle inflation. Though both schools aim to reduce the local availability of money, the CMT school would raise interest rates, inhibiting business and penalising the indebted, while the MMT school would raise taxes. 

Employment Bank

Employment Bank    

     I am encouraged to hear that Alan Milburn is looking into ways to get teenagers into work [1]. It certainly sounds ridiculous to spend 25 times more money on keeping teenagers at home and idle, than on schemes to educate and employ them [2]. But such schemes, though laudable, would themselves be a waste of money if there were, ultimately, no suitable jobs. 

     I do hope that Alan Milburn and the government will consider the ideas of 

a "Job Bank" and "Employment Guarantee".  These ideas are straight out of the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) course-work manual, and may be peremptorily and prematurely dismissed as heterodoxy by conventional economists, or dismissed as too socialistic, by politicians (who will know their electorates but may not understand economics). 

     As I understand it, the idea is that the government should shoulder the ultimate responsibility of finding worthwhile employment for its citizens, and not leave it entirely to Adam Smith's 'invisible hand', or the ingenuity of the citizen. And we (society as a whole) should shoulder the duty for our own benefit, as we similarly provide a modicum of education, and healthcare; simply because we do not want to live amongst un-employed, un-educated and un-healthy people.

     (Higher education, and some medical interventions are another matter; they might have to remain the privilege of 'the few' that can afford and justify the expense.)

     I was impressed, as a teenager, at some Victorian building work in (I think) Oban (Argyll & Bute); some local landlord paid for the building of a wall, which has enhanced the town in a small way for more than a century. The scheme worked even without the involvement of government and civil-service. 

     The jobs offered by the "Job bank" need not be competitive, nor even 'value for money', because money, according to the MMT, is not a limiting factor; but the work should be worthwhile, involve a useful skill, and should confer worth on the worker, and thence self-worth. 

     Why the government? Well, if the government cannot think up such jobs, how can we expect sixteen-year-olds to think of such. 

     Furthermore, if it works in the Netherlands [3] why not here? We do not need to 'Reform The Benefit System', as that would take a generation, and another 1,000 civil servants. We just need to set up a "Job bank"; and re-route the dole-queue to their door.

References

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/23/uk-young-people-workplace-anxiety-alan-milburn

[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrpx4p1z71o;

[3] https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39210798/taxpayers-spend-more-on-benefits-than-jobs/

Guns or Benefits

 Warfare versus Welfare

        We are a disparate bunch, the British. Never mind that some people were born abroad. Even the 14th Lord Home, and the 14th Mr. Wilson had very different childhoods and expectations; though one succeeded the other as Prime Minister in 1964. 

    It is clear that many different priorities must co-exist in the country, even in the house of commons, even on one side of the house.  Thus, George Islay MacNeill Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen (who served as secretary general of NATO (1999 to 2003)), though a member of the Labour party, believes that our present government should spend more on re-arming the country and less on unemployment benefits. Other members of the same Labour party may feel that the two-child benefit-cap is cruel and inhumane; though our stance on 'benefits' as a whole is about average for OEDC [1].

    An idea came to me, thinking back nostalgically to my very early youth, to the days of National Saving Stamps (1916 - 1978) and War Loans (1914, & 1917). Perhaps we could be encouraged (or told) to pay 10% (or 20%) of our tax bill in the form of buying stamps, and offered the choice of either Welfare Stamps or Defence Stamps. Or even Arts Council stamps, or Public Library stamps. 

    And then, as I prepared to share this idea with you, I found that Sir Ed. Davy had already floated the idea of Defence Bonds on 25 Jan 2026 [2]. And the chancellor Rachel Reeves joined in on 19th April.[3] Excellent. I shall give the idea my little boost to help it on its way. 

References

[1]  Christopher Adam, İrem Güçeri, (2025) "The state of welfare and the future of the welfare state in Britain", Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 41, Issue 1, Spring 2025, Pages 2–11, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/graf015

[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5y7edg169o

[3] https://britbrief.co.uk/politics/westminster/reeves-eyes-war-bonds-to-fund-defence-avoid-benefit-cuts.html

Recycling Film

 On the Recycling of Transparent Film

    The thin, crackly film on the top of some food packages which might be clear (as on top of a punnet of grapes), or opaque (as on a pot of cream), is often carefully labelled "do not recycle". What material is it? And what is the problem about recycling it at home? 

    There are many types of 'plastic' involved in food packaging but this field is dominated by four main types of material: PE = poly-ethylene, which comes in several high and low densities; PET = poly-ethylene-terephthalate; PP = poly-propylene; PVDC = poly-(vinyl-dichloride). There is considerable confusion on the 'web' as to what is used where, for the exact chemical determination is beyond the reach of most of us. I have tried to unravel the conflicting views. Thus [1] thinks the crackly, rustle-ly, film that 'lids' a grape punnet is PP, while [2] thinks it is PET. Reference [2] thinks PET stands for poly-ester while [3] thinks PET stands for poly-ethylene-terephthalate. Sainsbury's thinks that the 'lidding' film cannot be recycled with the plastic punnet and the plastic milk bottles, but OPRL [3] thinks it can go in the blue bin with glass, tin, aluminium and other plastic. Webprofab [4], comparing  PP with PET, says PP is translucent while PET is as clear as glass. Cling film (Saran Wrap in the USA) was originally a polymer of -( CH2 - CCl2)- called vinylidene chloride, though vinyl di-chloride would seem more logical. (Wikipedia is confusing about Saran Wrap and cling film; it is not made of PVC.)

    The PlasticPractical website [1] compares two materials, and suggests: 

"To tell polypropylene (PP) from polyethylene (PE), start by noting their texture and firmness. PP is stiffer and less flexible, while PE is softer and more pliable. Conduct a burn test; PP produces a blue flame with a sweet smell, whereas PE gives a yellow flame with a waxy odor. PP will sink in water due to its density, while PE often floats. Look for recycling symbols: PP has a #5, while PE features #1 or #2." [1]

 

    According to [2] there are three material to consider.

"Polypropylene (PP): The "Display King." Known for its crystal-clear transparency and high gloss. It is stiff, has excellent moisture resistance, and is widely used for snack wrappers and clear over-wraps where visual appeal is paramount.

"Polyethylene (PE): The "Workhorse." Available in Low-Density (LDPE) and High-Density (HDPE) variants. It is soft, stretchable, and has superior impact resistance. It is the go-to material for shopping bags, shrink wraps, and heavy-duty industrial sacks.

"Polyester (PET): The "Barrier Shield." PET offers high tensile strength and thermal stability. It provides excellent barriers against oxygen and scents, making it ideal for food packaging that requires a long shelf life or high-temperature resistance (like lidding films).

   

(Wikipedia clarifies. Poly-(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET), where the polymerising unit is -(C₁₀H₈O₄)- , is a poly-ester, but only one of many. It is the same material a terylene™  and dacron™ . )

    Some of the issue are [A] melting temperature, [B] permeability to (a) oxygen, (b) water, or (c) food odours, [C], transparency, [D] flexibility. I think it is the first three issuse that affect the choice for lidding films, as they often show off the product and are glued in place using Hot Melt Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (HMPSA). Some packaging tells us not to recycle the lidding film; some tells not to recycle it as home, but take it with PE "bags to a large supermarket". I think both are now out of date, as I found a seminar put on by Bostik [5] that offers to: 

• Illustrate how resealable films containing Hot Melt Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (HMPSA) are fully recycling compatible with existing polyolefin recycling streams and comply with recyclability guidelines of thermoformed PET trays.
• Show that resealable films based on two distinct HMPSA technologies are rated similarly with regards to recycling in existing/future streams.

Conclusion  

    I have not learned what, in the view of some authorities, prevents lidding film from being recycled domestically. The materials used are very varied and are often multilayered. There is a confusing plethora of advice on this issue, coming not from the government but from the food and packaging industry, trying to be good ecologists. But I have concluded that with present-day (2026) technology, there is no longer a need to separate the lidding film from the tub or tray.   

References

[1] https://plasticpractical.com/plastic-identification-how-to-tell-polypropylene-from-polyethylene/

[2] https://www.newtopmachine.com/blog/industry-insights/pp-pe-pet-film-packaging-guide/

[3] https://oprl.org.uk/simpler-recycling/

[4] https://www.weprofab.com/pp-vs-pet/

[5] https://packagingeurope.com/rethink-resealable-lidding-film-recyclability/9621.article

Prime Minister 2

    I want to continue my theme of 29th April [1] titled 'Prime Minister'; so I have titled this post 'Prime Minister 2'. Twelve days ago Sir Keir Starmer was being badgered by the media over his handling of the Epstein/Mandelson affair; now it is the aftermath of the revolutionary, but inconclusive, election that is exciting the media (radio, TV, press). 

    On of my issues is a side swipe at the media; and in my case that means the BBC radio. It seems to me that, in an attempt to whip up interest, they over step the mark and instead of reporting on the news they become part of the news.

    Another issue was the loss of the idea of corporate responsibility. Why, I wonder, would it help the country if Wes Streeting replaced Keir Starmer? They should both be deep in the same quagmire; both putting their shoulders to the wheel to get the vehicle moving. 

    No one doubts that there is a great deal of frustration in the country about the way things are going. My own list of grumbles might include: our failure to curb Russia, USA, Israel, unemployment of school- and college-leavers, a rising benefits-budget, continued illegal immigration (albeit at a slower rate), collapsing health (and dental) services, cost of housing, cost of living, potholes. Sure! There is much that appears to be going wrong.

    But the idea that either Reform or the dispirited Conservative party could do better seems to me ludicrous. Admittedly, there is not much that the average citizen can do other than to cast a vote. As some of our comedians have said: the votes cast for Reform and the Greens are really anti-votes, against Conservative and Labour.

    There is a faint trace of rationality in the idea of lowering taxes in the hope of 'kick-starting the economy'. Equally rational, however, is to raise taxes to invest in infrastructure. We dither. We try both. We clearly need more than that level of leadership.

    I wish there were a coffee-house somewhere in London where one could go to see and eavesdrop on real grown-up experts talking about politics. Or go to Frankfurt, Paris, Milan; or Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. I mean –– how are our continental colleagues coping with their own economies?

    Perhaps that 'coffee-house' is Twitter, or Bluesky.