Another quiet day at the library. It might seem a bit strange that I've opted for a tranquil afternoon, especially since I had a clear business diary, and that my television service has been magically restored. Thing is though I made the mistake of not listening to ta weather report too carefully. So I expected strong winds and heavy rain which of course never turned up. And as for the Box, daytime television is designed to reduce viewers to a mindless stupor. Preparation for Christian Slater's interesting voice-over's on Dinosaur Planet in the evening.

Instead I sit down and log on. Mr Fidget makes a rare appearance and gesticulates randomly. Scratching here, rubbing there, poking this, patting that. I wonder what he does on the internet? I only ask because he can't possibly find time to move the mouse at all.

Much more annoying is a youngster who spends his time organising his friend collection on a social network site. It isn't that he only comunicates with the outside world via a continual stream of spelling mistakes, but rather that he can't bear silence, so he plays music over his headphones. Hisses and clicks at a frantic rate are audible across the floor.

Weee-ooo weee-ooo... This is a fire alarm. Please leave by the nearest exit... Weee-ooo weee-ooo...

Eh? What? A fire alarm? Is this for real? Everyone looked up from their computors and tried to find someone who knew if we should ignore another drill or perhaps run around screaming in terror. Eventually Dragon Lady started donning her yellow high-vis vest. So it's serious then?

"Everybody out please." She ordered. Everybody confirms they understand with a communal groan. The funny thing is that when the all clear was received ten minutes later we all rushed in far faster than we left.

It's a risky business going to the library.

Make It Alone?

The Euro Rebellion? I said a long time ago that putting everyones financial eggs in one basket was asking for trouble. Now politicians are desperately trying to fend off calls for a british referendum on membership of the EU. Never mind the commentators debating whether this is because the European Union really needs that sort of uncertainty. What that's really about is leading politicians working to avoid the demands of the british public rather than their own initiatives.

That said it hasn't done the rebels any favours. I hear some of them have lost their jobs. That's always a risk in politics especially when you stand up and be counted for a matter of principle.

From the public I hear people calling for the British to rule themselves again. That's the trouble with artificial empires consructed by under-the-table deals. You cannot extinguish national identities so easily. Hasn't anyone learned anything from the troubles of Eastern Europe?

Make It Safe?

With recent accidents in motor sport claiming the lives of star drivers, once more there are calls for safer competition. If that's the way things are going, how long will it be before the final straight is limited to 20mph and subject to speed camera surveillance? Guaranteed no accidents or deaths. Just ask our wonderful road safety experts.

What I can guarantee that if racing is reduced to a sterile orderly procession - the sport is as good as dead. The fact is that while no-one actually wants a driver to suffer death or injury in a horrific collision, it's that very risk that gives racing the drama that attracts audiences. To a greater or lesser extent we all get a rush from adrenalin - that's human biology and mindset - so while most of us cannot race because of cost or lack of any talent, we're still drawn to the sport by the demonstration of danger, risk, reflexes, and yes, that very adrenalin rush that these drivers are paid to display for us.

Some years ago I visited a Goodwod Festival of Speed (the one when a driver crashed into a wall and died, as it happens, though I didn't see the accident). Wandering around the paddock I took the opportunity to inspect a 1930's racing car. Open cockpit. No carbon fibre safety cell, no safety straps, no bulkhead, no floor. Just an engine, four wheels, a modest example of bodywork, and enough space to squeeze some daring young chap thirsting for glory. It certainly made me think. My own personal risk level was definitely challenged by the prospect of taking that car out for a hell for leather drive.

The thing is we need risk. We need conflict. That's a strange and perhaps terrible thing to say but without the constant need to respond to threat or danger, our species will stagnate. In the wild, species that don't face predators or starvation became placid, stupid, and incapable of meeting challenges. One disaster (usually the arrival of human beings) and they quickly go extinct.

Yesterday the Lesser Spotted Racing Driver, a colourful creature, moves another step toward becoming an endangered species. What hope is there for the rest of us? Damned if we do and doomed if we don't.