http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nniversary

One of The Guardian's open threads... I'm not sure either way, what do people here think?

You can change your vote if need be...

I think we do. It's just it doesn't happen on such a large scale these days.

Let's not forget Dunkirk was a foul up of epic proportions.
In that way, yes, I think we really have the capacity to make huge tactical errors and then throw ourselves on the mercy of others to sort it out.

There is that, too. If there's one thing the Brits are good at, it's almighty cock-ups. Oh, and brewing tea.

Gut feelings tell me the population would be too apathetic atm.

There is certainly not the social cohesion necessary to create the mindset these days.

Outside of the big cities, yes.

One must remember that when it came to Dunkerque, people weren't rescuing strangers who'd cocked up, they were fighting for sons, fathers, brothers and uncles.

One also must not underestimate the power of anger.

I agree but I think that it depends on the cause. With a worthy enough cause you might be surprised.

When visiting my other half's father in the old folk's home today we encountered WW2 veteran George who was kitted out with his medals and beret, etc. He actually was rescued at Dunkirk and later took place in the aerial assault at Arnhem. He's got shrapnel in his leg which meant he's had a serious limp since 1945 and now has to use a Zimmer frame but despite being quite frail he always has a smile for everybody. There's not many around with his spirit.

I have t say given the reaction to the tube bombings in London a few years ago, that kind of suggests to me there's a fair amount of 'Dunkirk spirit' left around, it just doesn't get a chance to express itself very often.

I was thinking much the same earlier.

I can't see a lot of the youth of today (and their parents) having that spirit.
Back then hard work was valued and people had pride in themselves and their community.
A lot of that has been lost to the chav generation who only think about themselves and where their next handout is coming from.

It was Maggie that created the Me generation and that would have had unforeseen outcomes including selfish chavs.

This conversation's absurd. In 1938 nobody knew there was such a thing as a Dunkirk spirit, but had you told them what it was, they would have said it wasn't available then as well.

I certainly this we still have the potential but without a comparable event to rally around we'll never really know and I'm not about to suggest that finding out would be a good idea.

Still, when terrible things happen in this country, more often than not, complete strangers are more than willing to set aside their own safety to help others so on balance I think it is still there for now. Whether that filters down to the younger generation is a slightly different matter. They might just try to film whatever is happening on their mobile phones.