Events can act often as an illuminating light. Predictions, warnings and expert forecasts of which no one took much notice suddenly become obvious to everyone.
This is precisely what has happened as the result of the great fuel-tax rebellions that have been sweeping Western Europe and which in recent days almost brought the British economy to a standstill.
Before this extraordinary event occurred, the idea that a handful of unknown protesters could paralyze an entire society by striking at one of its most vulnerable points seemed like something out of science fiction or a paperback thriller.