Some time ago, at the Henley Forum, one of the speakers made the point that you’re never more than four minutes away from a banana.
This struck a chord with me as it reminded me of flying from Edinburgh to Southampton at night some years ago.
I looked down at the cities and towns’ lights and tried to figure out where I was. I often do this. It’s not easy, but sometimes I spot a town or recognize a motorway or other distinguishing feature.
On this occasion, I was in a somewhat reflective mood, and it occurred to me that in every one of the supermarkets or corner shops in those towns, cities, and villages, I would be able to buy a banana.
It also occurred to me that I could buy a banana in many other countries worldwide, and I thought of where the banana might have been grown and its journey from its source to its final destination.
It reminded me of the connectedness of the world and our modern-day transport systems. Just how fantastic our supply and distribution channels are around the world. And what might happen if, for any reason, they were to break down. If that were the case, it would not just be a lack of bananas we would need to worry about.
It’s this connectivity I’ve been writing about in the introduction to my blook.
So I found the speaker summed up something profound in saying that you’re never more than four minutes away from a banana.
Henley Business School is almost certainly more than four minutes from Henley itself or a local shop, and momentarily I wondered if I could get hold of a banana within four minutes. It then occurred to me that there were almost certainly bananas in the restaurant. Maybe one minute’s walk away. When we broke for coffee and croissants, what was on the table? Yes, you guessed it, a bowl of bananas – only seconds away.
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Knowledge Letter: Issue: 258 (Subscribe)
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Photo Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain)