An ever-changing world: New perspective

Perspective is everything. It is the changing prism through which we view our world, through which we make judgements. History offers defining, often cautionary perspectives. Would Brexiteers be indifferent to a new Irish border if they understood the deep differences between, say, the Bogside and Shankill? Do we think that by throwing more money at our health service without driving reform we will fix it?

Geography offers another kind of perspective. As southern Europe swelters, we look on almost unruffled. On Saturday, temperatures rose to 45.5°C in Portugal, while, on Friday, 16 weather stations in Portugal registered record heat, with Alcácer do Sal, near Setúbal, climbing to 45.9°C.