September 19, 2014

Dear Sir,

During the last few years of low economic activity politicians and commentators of all stripes, when debating how best to tackle the problem, are ostensibly agreed on at least one thing: that Bermuda has human capital of quality.

This is questionable, and I personally would go so far as to say it is untrue. Our young people suffer from a great lack of opportunity to acquire skills both practical and intellectual, large groups of our most talented people prefer to ply their trades abroad, and we approach work with much less drive and gusto than people in some other countries — our nearest neighbour, for example. I do not point this out to insult anyone, but because these are problems which need to be addressed if our ultimate goal is economic growth and a general increase in personal welfare.

It is unhelpful that politicians and other commentators speak of our innate talent, skills and work ethic in order to spare people’s feelings, or even stroke voters’ egos, though it is only natural that they do.

There will never be the will to address a problem if people think everything is fine.

Self-examination is a rare virtue, particularly in the narcissistic West, and telling people what they want to hear actively suppresses it.

On the other side, we Bermudians are proud people, and therefore easily accept flattery — it is a trap we cannot fall into. Complacency was one of the admittedly many causes of the mess we are in right now.

LAZYBONES