Is Europe in an immense schlamassel? Look at the scenario: Germany is about to get a new administration in fall since the current one has declared bankruptcy, the French have said Non! to the European Constitution, not being convinced of the improved contents (when this piece is published, we will know how the Netherlands have decided), and have a new prime minister as a result; Portugal, Greece and other European countries have national debt figures far beyond the regulated 3%; the British still cling to the misappropriated funds that Maggie Thatcher extorted from other European political leaders some 20 years ago – and Signore Berlusconi is struggling awkwardly with his Mediaset business in Italy and at the same time trying to serve as prime minister. That’s just a small collection of all the disturbances in development within the EU. The economical situation is not in the best shape although not completely lost, also suffering from many “illnesses”. Then we have the euro which is losing in value against some other leading currency systems in the world. Surely not bad for the exporting industries over here, but all imported goods, materials and energy supply such as natural gas and oil are getting higher to at least the same degree. And no one knows how it will all result. Nor how we as Europeans will have to pay for these severe games – not only in an economical sense but in a spiritual sense as well.
One might think, what’s actually going on in crazy Ol’ Europe? Are we now suffering from some form of collective paranoia? – or angst? What we see here and in other places is probably just a sign of the normal madness of man. The rest of the world is apparently not doing too differently or even better, whatever the latter may mean in consequence. The small differences are derived from different cultures, mentalities and habits, but not from profound differences in personal qualities deep inside. A careful look around and some research can reveal surprising insights showing that regardless of region, belief or color, be it Americas, Asia or Africa, political leaders everywhere are enjoying their glorious moments of self-deception, hubris and lack of awareness.
Now we may think that the industry, banking system and other businesses do better because their decisions are based on solid facts and figures. No way. All these Ackermanns, Schrempps, Parmalats, Worldcoms, etc. stem from the same frame of mind, sometimes joined by inexhaustible greed. No, it is not a better world, it’s just here and now and contains the same rubbish wrapped in another stuff.
Inevitably the same will happen in Europe as is happening everywhere, but always in its special markedness. We have to work hard making our living, have to be ingenuous in our professions, have to be competitive, and so on. Did we miss something? Yes, we did. It’s the compassion for ourselves as well as for our neighbors, locally and globally. We have to take care of ourselves, of our friends and of our so-called enemies as well. This way a new man, a sort-of white knight, may appear on this planet – and madness can slowly begin to heal.
And now the question comes up in the reader’s mind: what the hell has all this got to do with manufacturing on the electronics shop floor? At first glance: nothing. But with the support of an extension of awareness and insight, it would surely be more advantageous for one to provide others with adequate jobs, taking responsible for what one does rather than acting like a hypnotized puppet on a string. In this sense, it has a lot to do with the staff on the shop floor, and, of course, everywhere.
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