Past, present and future

Sir, – Patrick Freyne, writing about Patrick Joyce’s book Remembering Peasants, gives us a great reminder of the not too distant past, and how easy it has become for us to forget “our postmodern world is locked in a continuous present tense” (“Learning from our peasant past: ‘We might have to live on the edge. We may have to learn to be survivors’”, Books, February 10th).

In our rush to solve life’s problems, often even around our most pressing issues, health and homelessness, a degree of reflection free of soundbites, blame and management speak could go some way to instil optimism and help us navigate through these challenging times. – Yours, etc,

ALICE LEAHY,

Director of Services,