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It may seem like a bizarre question – the sort of concept that would look out of place in anything but a dystopian science fiction novel – but following me having read this article from the Guardian’s Ewan Morrison, it seems all too likely that some of the world’s biggest businesses may be actively encouraging divorce in the near future – if, indeed, they aren’t already. Granted, the article in question only makes a fleeting reference to divorce, with far more focus placed on how singles are more profitable than couples. But, as the author postulates, current purchasing trends mean that it is in big businesses’ interests to keep consumers single for as long as possible. For example, single people purchase a significantly larger amount of food per head when compared to a traditional nuclear family. They also use 55% more electricity and 61% more gas. The only conclusion here: you’re worth more if you stay, or become, single. It flies in the face of convention, of course – couples create more people, and more people equals more consumers – but these figures speak volumes, particularly if you consider conglomerates likely short-term business plans. Children are a viable market for many companies, but those institutions that can maintain a steady revenue stream from producing products for the younger market are still in a clear minority. Adults are society’s main consumers and not even the longest of long-term business plans can plan for the changing consumption patterns of subsequent generations. With the economy contracting, it would certainly make sense for companies to optimise their profit channels, so maybe, just maybe, the thought of big business promoting divorce – albeit in a subtle manner – isn’t so far-fetched, after all.