There is sometimes in
the social order a favouring shadow thrown over iniquitous trades, in which
they thrive.
Victor Hugo - L'Homme qui rit (1869)
Once one sets out to identify modern iniquitous trades and their favouring
shadows, the sheer number of them becomes a little daunting. It isn't merely trade either. All professions cast their favouring shadows as a matter of policy, often sheltering charlatans and bunglers as a matter of policy too.
One might begin with banking, many national charities,
professional sport, the IOC, climatologists, wind turbine subsidy-seekers and
so on, but the list soon becomes overwhelming and ethically complex. The trade in health
nostrums from pharmaceuticals to herbal remedies for example.
When I first envisaged this post, I thought a modern list might short. It isn’t.
Give us a couple more examples to make this clear.
ReplyDeleteHighly seasoned food that is the norm these days. We now make our own sausages.
ReplyDeleteJames - the BBC is probably the best example of all.
ReplyDeleteDemetrius - not a bad idea. At least you know what's in them.
Thanks, AK, now I feel better about once having been a member of the second-hand car trade.
ReplyDelete"Gentlemen traders all are we . . ."
David - the second-hand car trade is probably as honest as the average trade or profession. Just more exposed.
ReplyDelete