This is what Dr C Constantinides, founder of Healthcare cybernetics (HCC), wrote in his recent answer to a comment in the IMTJ. Dr Constantinides is one of the world gurus n Health Tourism.
Interestingly, the commentator maintained that the crisis may have made Greece's foray in the Health Tourism sector more difficult; Dr Constantinides showed that the exact opposite is true. In so doing he relays a positive message, one which is a breath of fresh air after so much doom being aired about the country which, even if imminent, would be better left alone: if doom is at the door, let's enjoy the minutes of life now until it breaks through!
Dr Constantinides' response is interesting but one point in particular stood out: "Greeks excel in the face of adversity".
Lately, Greeks (as represented by the Greek government) have distinguished themselves in creating adversity (rather than responding to it) so I thought to myself: would the creation of common adversity it be a national trigger to inspire creativity and love of life in Greece.
As the Gods of the Greeks and market research, both know, Greeks are amongst the least happy (or most unhappy?) of Europeans. They may have reason to be, but the point is: could a adversity be the key to a nationwide snapping-out-of-it?
Let's hope so.
I am presently in Athens, the weather is good (hot but cool in the shade), recent winds have cleared the sky of pollution, the colours are magnificent.
If adversity can help preserve this, long live adversity! And long live the Germans, the bad guys of choice in Greece at this moment who fuel this adversity!
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Monday, 13 July 2015
Eurogroup marathon talks, early Monday morning, 13th July 2015: a tough, humiliating deal for Greece, says a German Newspaper (Bild) for Greece...
Is it?
The good news and the bad news. Reportedly...
No doubt, 6 years of austerity are down the drain as Greece received and spent ±240 bn euro and is still, no further or perhaps even worse off than where it started.
One reason for this apparent standstill was that austerity in the form of cuts in public investment and salary cuts in the public sector and pension cuts, as well as back-breaking increases in income tax brought about a sharp reduction in peoples' spending budget and cut out many organisations' livelihood: the Greek state. And this, in turn, brought about recession.
After 6 years of recession, and five months of an unconventional government by a populist and somewhat totalitarian party, Syriza, Greece is back in recession, and asking for a third bailout.
The pre-conditions of this bailout, should it be accepted, are reportedly tough, humiliating, and threaten to upset the status quo in Greece as Greeks know it.
How bad is it??
How humiliating?
While I don't have the actual text, reportedly it calls for a number of things.
First is the usual fruit of short-sighted governments: even higher taxation - in part in order to compensate for the Greek government's continued refusal to reduce the number of people on its payroll (it has actually added 10,000 civil servants in the 5 months of its governance).
As usual in Greece, some of the measures (e.g. VAT) will hit lower income earners more than others. Typically these are the people least likely to raise a stink, so the motto is, "slam them".
- It does however also include gradual revocation of privileges (not bad), taxation of shipowners (unlikely, unless one can convince them to contribute - which is not a bad idea as they can make a difference!)
- It also mentions relaxation of labour law restrictions; at the onset, not bad either especially given the ±1.45 mn unemployed in Greece
- There is also mention of liberalisation of closed professions
- Reduction in bureaucracy
...and much of this enacted asap, before bailout talks begin.
Also, reforms will be secured by EU supervision.
I.e. reforms are to be guaranteed in Greece by the Greek government and an EU supervisory team...
Which makes me think of the following positive point:
a foreign "supervisor", who is to blame for everything, is the ideal justification for quick implementation of measures which go against local pressure groups and self-serving political and business oligarchs (union leaders, tycoons, etc): "not my fault, could;t do anything. I'm with you! (Until you die out, hopefully soon...)"
The good news and the bad news. Reportedly...
No doubt, 6 years of austerity are down the drain as Greece received and spent ±240 bn euro and is still, no further or perhaps even worse off than where it started.
One reason for this apparent standstill was that austerity in the form of cuts in public investment and salary cuts in the public sector and pension cuts, as well as back-breaking increases in income tax brought about a sharp reduction in peoples' spending budget and cut out many organisations' livelihood: the Greek state. And this, in turn, brought about recession.
After 6 years of recession, and five months of an unconventional government by a populist and somewhat totalitarian party, Syriza, Greece is back in recession, and asking for a third bailout.
The pre-conditions of this bailout, should it be accepted, are reportedly tough, humiliating, and threaten to upset the status quo in Greece as Greeks know it.
How bad is it??
How humiliating?
While I don't have the actual text, reportedly it calls for a number of things.
First is the usual fruit of short-sighted governments: even higher taxation - in part in order to compensate for the Greek government's continued refusal to reduce the number of people on its payroll (it has actually added 10,000 civil servants in the 5 months of its governance).
As usual in Greece, some of the measures (e.g. VAT) will hit lower income earners more than others. Typically these are the people least likely to raise a stink, so the motto is, "slam them".
- It does however also include gradual revocation of privileges (not bad), taxation of shipowners (unlikely, unless one can convince them to contribute - which is not a bad idea as they can make a difference!)
- It also mentions relaxation of labour law restrictions; at the onset, not bad either especially given the ±1.45 mn unemployed in Greece
- There is also mention of liberalisation of closed professions
- Reduction in bureaucracy
...and much of this enacted asap, before bailout talks begin.
Also, reforms will be secured by EU supervision.
I.e. reforms are to be guaranteed in Greece by the Greek government and an EU supervisory team...
Which makes me think of the following positive point:
a foreign "supervisor", who is to blame for everything, is the ideal justification for quick implementation of measures which go against local pressure groups and self-serving political and business oligarchs (union leaders, tycoons, etc): "not my fault, could;t do anything. I'm with you! (Until you die out, hopefully soon...)"
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Taking things into our hands... and make miracle happen for someone out there.
An Englishman, Thom Feeney raised ~2 million euro in just over week in a crowd-funding campaign to help Greeks pay back the IMF tranche due last week.
The 2 million came from all over; much from the two countries least likely: Germany and the UK!
Thom said he acted because politicians are delaying on all sides, because Europeans are largely generous people and because the Greek people need help. Since those in power fail to do it, the people have to do it by themselves...
This is what "by the people for the people" mean: "I may not like your politicians (or mine) but I can distinguish between them and you. And in punishing them, I am condemning you -- I don't want that."
Feeney's last point - or the gist of it - is gaining a lot of ground lately. Either that or I am seeing things.
Let's for a moment, assume that it is; what could it mean?
For one, politicians are seen as slow, indecisive, and ineffective. And, more importantly that people can step in. Effectively, bypass politicians and do it yourself.
This is a major change: until now we have people demonstrating in order to draw politicians' attention to their will. Politicians oblige by ignoring everyone until time is ripe for elections; and the sage continued.
Maybe the role of politicians has to change; in many countries politicians are proving poor in addressing everyday problems. They often are less than efficient in the grand scheme of things as well...
Maybe it is the power of the internet in weaving the global community.
I think it is certain that people have come to realise that many of today's politicians fall short as exponents of collective feeling, preferences, and choices.
Politicians' egos play a major role in any negotiating game - sidelining the content of the discussion.
Further, let's think of what our average (european) politician often is: a communicative person - sales rep profile - with a proven background in social speaking or union activism or political involvement as a student. The party then chooses him her to play a leading role - i.e. promotes that person to sales director or CEO position. Then campaign managers and image makers hone the ex sales rep into a product that can sell to the voters.
In other words, the primary skills set required of a politicians is his her capacity to get elected. Then, of course, comes persuasiveness. And then, I presume, comes discipline: i.e. to tow the party line.
None of the above is bad per se and some politicians probably do not fit the stereotype either; but most do. Case in point: in Greece the PM told people that voting "no" to a referendum is equivalent to voting for democracy, voting no to oppression, for self-respect etc. This guideline had nothing to do with the official content of that referendum, but that did not stop politicians from supporting it or criticising it, accordingly. While this is an extreme example of demagogy, similar examples of context and content shifting and communication exploitation exist elsewhere as well: just not as exacerbated nor as extreme.
So in the face of this why not do as Thom did: bypass politicians rather than confront them.
It is great to take initiative rather than expect it from others and it is good to have people collectively agree and act together.
The word together gives hope to everyone: I am not alone, I can help another I can make a miracle happen for someone else.
The 2 million came from all over; much from the two countries least likely: Germany and the UK!
Thom said he acted because politicians are delaying on all sides, because Europeans are largely generous people and because the Greek people need help. Since those in power fail to do it, the people have to do it by themselves...
This is what "by the people for the people" mean: "I may not like your politicians (or mine) but I can distinguish between them and you. And in punishing them, I am condemning you -- I don't want that."
Feeney's last point - or the gist of it - is gaining a lot of ground lately. Either that or I am seeing things.
Let's for a moment, assume that it is; what could it mean?
For one, politicians are seen as slow, indecisive, and ineffective. And, more importantly that people can step in. Effectively, bypass politicians and do it yourself.
This is a major change: until now we have people demonstrating in order to draw politicians' attention to their will. Politicians oblige by ignoring everyone until time is ripe for elections; and the sage continued.
Maybe the role of politicians has to change; in many countries politicians are proving poor in addressing everyday problems. They often are less than efficient in the grand scheme of things as well...
Maybe it is the power of the internet in weaving the global community.
I think it is certain that people have come to realise that many of today's politicians fall short as exponents of collective feeling, preferences, and choices.
Politicians' egos play a major role in any negotiating game - sidelining the content of the discussion.
Further, let's think of what our average (european) politician often is: a communicative person - sales rep profile - with a proven background in social speaking or union activism or political involvement as a student. The party then chooses him her to play a leading role - i.e. promotes that person to sales director or CEO position. Then campaign managers and image makers hone the ex sales rep into a product that can sell to the voters.
In other words, the primary skills set required of a politicians is his her capacity to get elected. Then, of course, comes persuasiveness. And then, I presume, comes discipline: i.e. to tow the party line.
None of the above is bad per se and some politicians probably do not fit the stereotype either; but most do. Case in point: in Greece the PM told people that voting "no" to a referendum is equivalent to voting for democracy, voting no to oppression, for self-respect etc. This guideline had nothing to do with the official content of that referendum, but that did not stop politicians from supporting it or criticising it, accordingly. While this is an extreme example of demagogy, similar examples of context and content shifting and communication exploitation exist elsewhere as well: just not as exacerbated nor as extreme.
So in the face of this why not do as Thom did: bypass politicians rather than confront them.
It is great to take initiative rather than expect it from others and it is good to have people collectively agree and act together.
The word together gives hope to everyone: I am not alone, I can help another I can make a miracle happen for someone else.
Monday, 6 July 2015
Greece's Referendum: the David Syndrome
Reading about reactions to the results of the (sham) referendum in Greece, I asked myself why is it that Greeks voted the way they did?
I don't mean to pay more than lip service to the political declarations bandied about -- but the real why. Maybe it would be one of the political pronouncements, maybe not. It wasn't.
Thoughts led me to an astounding "aha" moment: in a reductionist, I concur, view of the affair I realise that a large section of the population is in David psychology. That that sizeable section of the population sees the country as a valiant, developing nation and not as what Greece really is: a wealthy country (not so much due to the crisis) part of the EU, member of the eurozone.
The present Greek government feeds this view; maybe its members believe it or maybe they are suffering under the weight of a massive inferiority complex. The fatc of the matter is that Greece is a member of the rich mens' club, and its present government and many of its voters interpret their discontent as the need to assert their existence. Which is not in doubt. This is akin to the thwarted adolescent, looking for his or her path in life...
The signs are there: the need to assert, to say no, to "dare", to "challenge" the "bullies" who are oppressing us", i.e. not sucking up to us or openly saying "I love you".
There are no bullies, so to speak. Greece is a country that belongs to the rich mens' club and, despite all the recession and the austerity, its civil servants are all still there (unlike, say, Romania) and still earn more than they did 15 years ago; it may not be much but it is something.
No, the bullies are inside us.
Let's hope the euro-partners catch on to this, fast.
I don't mean to pay more than lip service to the political declarations bandied about -- but the real why. Maybe it would be one of the political pronouncements, maybe not. It wasn't.
Thoughts led me to an astounding "aha" moment: in a reductionist, I concur, view of the affair I realise that a large section of the population is in David psychology. That that sizeable section of the population sees the country as a valiant, developing nation and not as what Greece really is: a wealthy country (not so much due to the crisis) part of the EU, member of the eurozone.
The present Greek government feeds this view; maybe its members believe it or maybe they are suffering under the weight of a massive inferiority complex. The fatc of the matter is that Greece is a member of the rich mens' club, and its present government and many of its voters interpret their discontent as the need to assert their existence. Which is not in doubt. This is akin to the thwarted adolescent, looking for his or her path in life...
The signs are there: the need to assert, to say no, to "dare", to "challenge" the "bullies" who are oppressing us", i.e. not sucking up to us or openly saying "I love you".
There are no bullies, so to speak. Greece is a country that belongs to the rich mens' club and, despite all the recession and the austerity, its civil servants are all still there (unlike, say, Romania) and still earn more than they did 15 years ago; it may not be much but it is something.
No, the bullies are inside us.
Let's hope the euro-partners catch on to this, fast.
Greece Referendum: Defiance Aside, What's Next?
Nothing, it would seem.
Greek were asked to vote yes or no to a 47 page document in English, unavailable within the country (and mostly incomprehensible). It was an expired bailout proposal from the Eurogroup. The country's government extolled voters to choose "no" to "oppression" and humiliation and for prosperity, growth, and dignity.
So, people voted NO to regain their dignity, and spearhead growth, prosperity, etc. Except that growth, etc begins with money, apparently, and in Greece's case, other people's money. The lenders would be the EU this time round.
The country's PM, A Tsipras declared on Friday that a "NO" vote leads to an agreement in 48 hrs. The finance minister Y Varoufakis also explained that a deal with the ECB is a simple matter, "can even be conducted via teleconference".
If Greeks have the short memory the ruling party attributes to them, then all is OK. Come Wednesday and still in after glow of defiance, they won't really remember what politicians promised one week before.
If not -- or if someone reminds them (unlikely) -- then the Greek government may have a problem.
While one side (Eurogroup) is expecting initiative from the other side, the other side (Greek government) is basically expecting a move from the other side, just to drive home that Greece now has the upper hand (as promised).
Greece's finance minister (or negotiations minister) Yiannis Varoufakis resigned on Monday morning - reportedly. One never knows, he may un-resign later in the day.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Greek government is purportedly preparing to issue IOU which it will use to pay off its internal creditors.
If it does that, it will be blamed on the Eurogroup.
And yet: Greece's best friends at this moment are its euro-partners. The same people its government has criticised , vilified, and at times, abused.
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