Notes from smaller islands
Sir: Mark Steyn's allegation (`The appeal Louise lost', 15 November) that 'you Brits have become emotionally incontinent' may well be right. But the reason for it is the Americanisation of Britain. I love my visits to America and value my American friends enormously. But what is right for that vast country is not necessarily correct for export to a small island.
The enormous growth of American-type supermarkets, cash machines, fast-food cafés, soft-drink machines, television pro- grammes, all result in the terrifying loneliness of individuals. It breaks up fami- lies and family values and replaces them with a life where you do not need to meet and talk with another human being. All your needs are provided by machines — no local shops, no bank clerks, no local pubs, no theatres. . . .
This is what has resulted in the amazing reaction to Diana's death and Louise's con- viction. Suddenly the sense of community has taken over — people flowing into the streets, crying with strangers, cheering with locals.
If you don't believe me, watch the insidi- ous growth of McDonalds in Malta, Sicily, the Seychelles and Cyprus, where Coca- Cola machines and CNN on television are destroying these even smaller islands.
Anthony Field
152 Cromwell Tower, Barbican, London EC2
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