Ben Page Chairman Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute The State We’re in

3 Some trends in society A polarised and more diverse society – less stable More feminised but also gender-blurred Celebrity culture and instant gratification A culture of fear – immigration, asylum, 9/11, moral panics over teenagers Ongoing march of technology – generation gaps Decline of deference Decline of the professions – rise of inspection and central measurement Live longer but iller and fatter – dependency squeeze The rise of turbo consumerism and polysensuality The end of rises in public sector spending – need for more individual responsibility Producing anxiety – a major challenge

Control and chaos in the new media age Julian Thompson, Ipsos MORI Horizons Technology Event, Energy Clinic, April 17 th 2007

Our species’ endless desire to extend our influence beyond natural constraints

control c o n t r l The dream

A crisis of control: “Everyone and no one”

9 Look what it can do to you

compare, buy, share, meet, roam, work, consume, make, profit, trade, search, enjoy, indulge, anon., create, info

are we really freer and happier…?

12 The rise of happiness

13 “Well being can’t be measured by money or traded in markets. It’s about the beauty of our surroundings, the quality of our culture, and above all, the strength of our relationships. Improving our society’s sense of well- being is, I believe, the central political challenge of our lives.” Even politicians are in on the act David Cameron, May 2006

14 Money and Happiness National Happiness Level Source: World Values Study Average National Income Level $

15 GDP Happiness Money only buys so much happiness….

16 What makes us happy? “If you want to be happy for a few hours, get drunk. If you want to be happy for a few years, get a wife. If you want to be happy forever, get a garden”

17 Some things that turn out to increase happiness Get married Become richer than your peer group Join a religion, and attend meetings at least monthly, if not weekly. Find some extra leisure time and spend more time with friends and family Get a degree Visit your GP for a health test – the healthier, the happier Live to a ripe old age – being middle aged is just depressing

18 Who are the happiest people in Europe? Portugal Fairly Satisfied Italy France Spain Not Satisfied Greece Source: Standard Eurvobarometer 65: Spring 2006 Austria Belgium EU 15 Finland Ireland Netherlands Sweden UK Luxembourg Denmark Germany Very Satisfied

19 Danes happier, us less so % Very satisfied with their lives – Europe

unless you feel better it doesn’t count – will technology achieve this?

21 Internet access is plateauing – who is left behind? Source: Ipsos MORI Social Issues Omnibus Base: c. 10,000 GB adults 15+, Oct-Dec 2006 (compared to c. 12,000 GB adults 15+, Jan-Mar 2005) %All All AB C C DE % with internet access at home or at work, 4th quarter 2006

22 How much are we really changing?

23 When you were at school, what did you really want or hope to do?

24 Ideal job or occupation Something professional which you need a degree to do Base: 1,997 British adults, June 2006, Ipsos MORI Omnibus for the Sutton Trust/the Treasury QThinking back to when you were at secondary school … which of the following job or occupation categories most closely matches what you really wanted or hoped to do when you left school? [Top 5 selections] Something else professional Something creative, artistic or sporting Skilled tradesman/woman Something involving personal service

25 Aspirations are highly class related All (secondary school) Something professional which you need a degree to do ABs C1/C2s DEs Base: 1,997 British adults, June 2006, Ipsos MORI Omnibus for the Sutton Trust/the Treasury

26 What do you think your child will end up doing?

27 Ideal job or occupation All Something professional which you need a degree to do ABs C1/C2s DEs Base: 1,997 British adults, June 2006, Ipsos MORI Omnibus for the Sutton Trust/the Treasury

28 Ideal job or occupation All Skilled tradesman/woman ABs C1/C2s DEs Base: 1,997 British adults, June 2006, Ipsos MORI Omnibus for the Sutton Trust/the Treasury

29 Some Conclusions Polarisation, globalisation and migration  UK unskilled face huge challenge  Social class remains a very strong limiter of achievement  Need for investment in skills – but also raising aspiration  Cultural change or a revolution in responsibility? We like to worry ourselves – but we should Need to keep trying alternative points of view Technology may save us  but not in the way we expect it to

30 Thanks