- Written by Peter Edwards. Editor, Global Cement Magazine
One of the traditions observed by Global Cement at this time of year is the office Christmas lunch, complete with seasonal fare, lashings of gravy and other liquids. For the past few years, it has been ac companied by a side order of questions in the form of a Quiz of the Year, usually compiled by this author. It provides an opportunity for competition and friendly banter, while prompting conversation about the year that has just passed. So, even if you are not celebrat ing Christmas itself - and while attempting to keep the topics as international as possible - here is a chance to challenge your grey matter with Global Cement’s Quiz of 2022...
- Written by Robert McCaffrey, Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
I’ve recently finished reading a book entitled ‘Why the Germans do it better,’ by John Kampfner, and it says some interesting things about how Germany has evolved in the last hundred years or so, and how it has transformed itself from the wreckage of two world wars into the economic powerhouse of Europe. I thought I would share some of its most interesting points with you.
Firstly, the book tackles head-on the devastating effects of World War II on Germany and its population (and the world). An internal conversation and reckoning on the country’s behaviour during the National Socialist years has been taking place for decades, but there is a growing disconnection between the generations that were alive during the war, and those that came afterwards (who can now be in their 80s) and who were not involved in any way. Today’s German youth may have no personal connection to the war years at all. The author underlines that Germans are now prepared to discuss, debate and re-interpret the past, in contrast to the frozen view of the war years in some other countries - if it is debated at all.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey, Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
This month, I want to address an issue that has puzzled me for many years: Why do people - why does everyone - occasionally do bad things? This is not a new question, of course. It has been asked throughout history, and there are plenty of accounts in ancient documents of ‘bad’ behaviour (for example - ‘causing’ 42 children to be eaten by bears after being called a ‘baldy’ - check out 2 Kings 2:23-24 in the Bible).
- Written by Robert McCaffrey, Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
As we inexorably come out of the pandemic, we are learning to live in a new world. Many things have changed in the last two years or so, probably permanently. Working-from-home is something that many employers now find themselves offering. Transport systems are still experiencing lower user numbers (for the better, say the users), while the theory of the ‘Great Resignation’ suggests many workers simply took themselves out of the jobs market during the pandemic, and have not come back yet, leaving many countries with a lack of workers.
- Written by Peter Edwards Editor, Global Cement Magazine
I recently drove around 120km to a meet-up with some friends. It was great to catch up properly for the first time in two years, but aside from the partying, I also had an unrelated revelation. On the way there, I was running late. I’m no speed demon, but let’s say I ‘maximised my opportunities’ to go as fast as legally possible. Around 90% of my time was spent at 112km/hr (the UK limit), including on the M25 past Heathrow Airport. Not hitting traffic here during day light hours is like winning the lottery.
