Like rabbits in headlights we are transfixed by the 'ageing crisis'. The solution. Attend a conference

It is interesting how totally unrelated news items come together to make you smile (or scream).

The FT has just reported that Mario Draghi, European Central Bank president, is calling for Europe’s political leaders to make root-and-branch reforms of their economies to create more jobs, warning them it was their duty to save the region from its ageing crisis. Good luck with that request. Does he, in his wildest dreams, think that will make a jot of difference?

Next e-mail arrives telling me that the Economist is holding a conference about Ageing Societies 2016.

I am sure it will be an interesting event and so it should be for £1,000. What will it tell us that we don't already know. Absolutely nothing.

I once enjoyed attending and speaking at these events but I have come to the conclusion that they are dangerous. Why? They are a good excuse for doing nothing, but makes the individuals and companies attending think that they are tackling the issues caused by ageing.

We are knee deep in information about what is happening and the options available. Where we have yet to begin is in the hard work of tackling the issue. Dick Stroud