During this summer's World Cup in South Africa several commentators noted the lack
of motivation for these pampered players to do well for their country. When so much cash and adulation is heaped on our country's footballers, it is hardly surprising that they think that they do not need to continue improving themselves.
We could also argue that large bonuses have done much the same for our country's bankers? Perhaps they have got to the point where they have so much money that it no longer motivates them. Quite the opposite, in fact: being cushioned from ever being hungry again clearly had the effect of desensitising them to the extent that many lost sight of reality.
Compare and contrast this with the many reports shown during the World Cup showing children in South Africa who are desperate for education, and who endure harsh conditions to achieve the qualifications which could lead them to a better life.
Consider the long queues outside Apple stores to buy the latest iPad or iPhone. While we don't all earn Premiership salaries, are we becoming desensitised to the real value of things?
Poverty.org.uk shows us that the top 20% earners account for nearly half of all income; the bottom 20% just 5.3%. Between the years of 1998 and 2008, the income of the richest tenth of the population rose by nearly 40% in real terms; the income of the poorest 10% fell.
At a time when government cuts are high, this means fewer opportunities for those who are literally and metaphorically hungry to access the help they need to escape the poverty trap. Meanwhile a significant proportion of the population are sufficiently insulated by growing wealth to become complacent and desensitised.
If our football team fails on the world stage, all that results is disappointed fans. If our economy fails to perform, we are in real trouble. We have been warned.