Five years of austerity ahead, a rolling crisis in the Eurozone which could make things a lot worse yet, rising unemployment, prospects for business poor.  We are all less well off than we were – some of us horribly so.  Riots in recent memory, public sector strikes, the media in the dock, politicians distrusted, the Church in denial.  This is the worst things have looked for a long time.  It is all bad news.  And if I look for comfort elsewhere what do I find?  Wall-to-wall celebrity culture, reality telly, karaoke freak shows masquerading as pop music and rock music practically dead.  Have I missed anything?

So, I’m looking around for some reasons to be cheerful.  Continue reading →