A step too far?

HUMANITY’s aim in life appears to be geared towards gaining independence. First, the unaided act of walking, when those micro-sized feet grip to the floor, supporting jelly-like legs striding towards the next chapter of your self-sufficient life – before inevitably splatting on to a cushioned bottom. Then, the “bird flying the nest act”, when you are liberated from your doting parents and launched into adulthood. That is, of course, until you’ve turned your last pair of pants inside out for the last time and your bank is emptied of all purpose, so a quick visit is made home for some brief assistance.

This independence apparently is not only sought after in an individual’s journey in existence, but in the developmental process of a country. Scotland wants to skip the baby steps and throw itself from the comforting nest that has been the UK for so long. Is this a leap of faith that will result in Scottish wings soaring into the fresh, unrestraining air? Or is this the step-too-many off a multi-storey building on to the unforgiving concrete? I think that the latter is more probable, and Scottish independence would be independent suicide. 

Emma Jackson

Ordhead
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire