From the BBC:
Plans have been unveiled to dramatically reduce contendness levels in Wales with the ultimate goal of a "fun-free society". Playgrounds and all NHS property could be made fun-free zones, as the assembly government aims to reduce happiness levels to 16% by 2020.
Around a quarter of adults in Wales occasionally enjoy themselves. The chief medical officer also wants to start a "debate" on listening to music in cars carrying children.
Dr Tony Jewell said: "Just as Wales took a bold step in creating laughter-free environments in public places, we recognise that the time is right to champion new approaches to further protect children from the harms of recreational activities. The plan proposes that local authorities will be encouraged to remove playground equipment from playgrounds and to initiate a debate on playing I-spy in cars carrying children.
"The NHS should set an example when it comes to creating fun-free environments and encouraging staff to stop enjoying themselves. The NHS should also encourage patients to give up all their hobbies, particularly before elective surgery."
Wales brought in a ban on telling jokes in enclosed public places in April 2007. The assembly government's new plans are outlined in a consultation to reduce happiness levels and exposure to other people's laughter. Proposals include lobbying the UK government on issues such as increasing the price of CDs and DVDs through taxation, and continuing to discourage children from playing with their friends.
The consultation says relaxing in front of the telly continues to be the largest single preventable cause of ill health and premature death in Wales, causing around 5,650 deaths each year.
Dr Jewell also wants to protect children from their parents' smutty banter at home and in cars after speaking out on the issue last year.
"Reducing children's exposure to innuendos will help to protect the most vulnerable in society and promoting silence in cars carrying children will bring home to parents the risks of talking out loud," he said, "Children are not able to protect themselves from this exposure and it must be shown to be a serious public health risk through the development of legal protections, where appropriate, and policy initiatives."
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Welsh Assembly Government's 'fun-free society' aim
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6 comments:
Dr Tony Jewell hasn't thought this through properly, has he?
There is second-hand fun - those people who smile when seeing funners, or who even think about funning.
Which leads directly to third-hand fun - seeing those smiling people.
The good doctor hasn't included this serious problem.
Liverpool's racing to catch them up: they've just banned leather footballs in a school playground, for 'elf n safety reasons. Sponge ones are allowed...
/headdesk
It's all that chapel-going: fun is sinful, see.
Sponge footballs?
VFTS, yup, even passive amusement can sap the national fibre.
JM, it's falling on concrete that hurts, not being hit by the ball (unless it hits you smack on the nose).
B, indeed. Do you think that miserable weather attracts miserable people?
IB, they make football fairly meaningless when it's windy, but look on the bright side: after the match you can pour custard on it and eat it.
Mark, no I think it attracts people who want to make everyone else's life a misery.
Actually, Wales is fairly light on the observance of rules and regulations, thank God. I think it comes from years of the rules being made by the English. For instance there is only one fixed speed camera between the Severn Bridge and the end of the M4. (There used to be two, but they took one away.)
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