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18 November 2015
It’s almost a week now since those tragic Paris attacks and I must admit to still being quite shaken. I’m not sure if it’s because I know Paris well, having lived and worked there for a period, or whether it’s because I now have family there, but, strangely, I seem more taken aback than when London was hit 10 years ago. And back then, working in the City I was far closer to what happened. Is the use of visible guns somehow worse than hidden bombs?
Maybe it’s because it’s three times in a year for the French with the senseless assault on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and thwarted TGV attacks still fresh in people’s minds. Maybe it’s because the loss of life has been more significant, and the UK/London remains a potential target. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
While many conflicts have religion at their roots, I dread the day when my son learns in school about the years 2000-2020 and asks me to explain why so many people had to die outside of the major wars I learnt about and how terrorism only intensified as the years rolled on. Maybe that’s it – it’s because I’m now a father and view the world not just as the world in which I live, but the world I have chosen to bring him into.
It’s refreshing the spirit of solidarity that has emerged and the defiance people are showing on both sides of the channel and the world over. The football at Wembley last night was a case in point. That these attacks and the threats of more will not rule their lives, despite so many being affected. This is especially important in Paris which is a city of small apartments designed for you to be out and about.
However, this doesn’t mean we need to put up with such events. The world is undoubtedly a very different place and evolving in a way that is many cases difficult to comprehend and uncomfortable to live with. Change is needed and fast. It’s a sign of the times that we are getting used to it, but for everyone’s sake and especially our children’s, lets hope the song is right and that “things can only get better”.
Mike van Dulken, Head of Research
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