I WONDER if other readers are worried that technological ‘advances’ are more likely to prove a loss than a gain to humanity.

Changes in the way society operates are getting faster, as a whole resulting from the ever advancing information technology in the form of the internet, online shopping etc.

I am an avid reader and enjoy buying a newspaper, a magazine and books which are in a tangible form that I can pick up and dip into anywhere at any time to my convenience. I don’t want the same presented to me in an electronic format that is so transient.

I enjoy shopping from both a social and leisure point of view, but could see a rapid demise in the High Street due to people buying online with the eventual results of that being the only way to shop.

What will be the eventual outcome of all the ‘progress’ which isn’t necessarily for the good?

People insulated in their homes glued to a screen with little or no interaction of a social or physical nature outside of their front door with anyone apart from through the aforementioned screen?

We take technological advances for granted, but I feel in the long term we many lose more than we ever stand to gain.

David J Summerson

Birkby

Crime and punishment

CAN we afford justice?

I am sure that, like me, many people must have concerns over the paltry sentences handed out in many of the cases coming before the courts.

It appears to be the case that we now cannot afford to punish lawbreakers by sending them to jail.

Indeed, the judicial establishment appears to want to release many of those already there early, disregarding the outcome on, or opinion of, the public at large.

Law lords, judges, lawyers and high tech equipment involved in the legal system seem to be draining a disproportionate amount of money from the public purse, so much so that I would like to see someone carry out research into exactly how much and what portion of the legal bill is spent on them.

Many of the cases being prosecuted under the free legal aid system seem to me to be superfluous and far removed from the original criteria that this fund was set up to fulfil.

I think we need to be told what amounts are spent annually on legal fees, salaries and court costs, apprehending law-breakers and keeping people in jail. There is only a finite amount of money the nation can afford to pay and we need to know it is not being wasted on paying people bloated salaries or systems which are not fit for purpose, thus leaving insufficient funds for the punishment of criminals.

John Langford

Lepton

Redundant socialism

WHO could fail to be moved by the campaign against the cuts? I for one am happy to pay extra taxes to keep our vast bloated ‘public services’ at maximum strength and for the country to spend billions we don’t have.

Our public services are the envy of the world already. We have overtaken Albania and North Korea on education – many children can now actually read. More must be spent on our universities. The demand for poets, philosophers, media, dance, sociologists etc are endless and they will create a formidable manufacturing industry for our future.

To build the public services we will require hundreds, nay thousands, of diversity workers, outreach co-ordinators, cycling advocates and a thousand and one useless jobs, as advertised in the Guardian. How many marchers must recall with pride the names of heroic Labour figures Red Robbo, Mick Magahey, Arthur Scargill, High Scanlon, Jack Jones and all the rest who made Britain what it is today?

We had Wilson and Callaghan then Blair and Brown leaving us in our current mess. I regret that socialism just doesn’t work. However, keep marching, breaking windows and trashing shops and if you shout hard enough perhaps our financial ills will go away as they haven’t done in Greece, Italy and now Portugal.

Barry Fowler

Brockholes

Abuse of animals

THE horses in the Grand National had no choice, made to travel four and a half miles with a strong possibility of being killed and being whipped during the race – hardly a way to treat these highly-strung beautiful animals.

Of course these horses are bred to race and the bookies promote the Grand National to its full potential. Out of 40 runners you have one chance while they have 39.

We are told repeatedly that horses love to run but has anybody asked them if they like to compete in the Grand National? I’m sure they would say ‘neigh.’

Remember the furore over the savage treatment given to an elephant recently and widespread condemnation of circuses? Circus animals and racehorses are both commercially exploited. Animals are in our care, not to be misused.

Animal lover

Lepton

Cross about voting

MY generation was the one which gave the best six years of their lives to keep the Germans out of Britain.

Am I paranoid in thinking that they have similar ideas today? They definitely rule Europe so we must release as many ties to that system as quickly as possible or our efforts will have been in vain.

We have become a nation of lazybones, particularly evident at election time. As I see it, the Alternative Vote system is for those who cannot be bothered to deliberate between the ideas and objectives of each of the candidates standing for election. Before putting our crosses, so very hard fought for, on the paper we should spend a little time considering which candidates ideas more closely follow our own hopes and ambitions.

This then is the candidate to get our vote, just the one. Only the ditherers and the no-carers need a cross for more than one candidate.

Rise up against the Nanny State, think for yourselves for a change and make sure your candidate gets your votes. Just one.

A Bright Ninety

Golcar