Business. As usual.

It is interesting how one little letter can shape our world view. We have replaced values, in plural, with its singular counterpart, value. To be deemed good, or worthwhile, an activity needs to generate revenue, make a profit, stimulate the economy.

A child who spends hours in front of a screen playing video games is not wasting their time or ruining their health, they are contributing to a booming industry which makes millions every year. An influencer is not admired for the things he or she says, but for the vast sums of money earned by promoting goods. That they are little more than a modern day sandwich board is by the by. They are rolling in it.

The President of Madrid is not praised for the number of lives she managed to save during the pandemic, but for keeping the bars open. Economy first.

Culture has given way to trade. A work of art is only recognised as such if it has a price tag. In fact all human endeavour is judged solely on the amount of money it is capable of making. Our heroes are the multi-millionaires, people whose wealth outweighs any other naïve concerns such as equality or human rights.

Value before worth, productivity before creation. Business as usual.