A message to all the losers out there..

It's prom night for the global school clique. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are taking their rightful place as prom king and queen, and all the cliquey gossips and popular cool kids are lining up courtside to take their rank. Some with genuine glee, others feigning their praise to elbow themselves ever up the social totem pole.

You though, you're on the outside. A loser. Watching on. Repulsed by the fakes and make-up and pretensions ..but maybe, if you're being honest, slightly jealous too. Why are these vacuous frauds so powerful and you so disenfranchised? You think to yourself that you'd never want to be like those people; that you've chosen your pious loserdom. Yet you also partly suspect that they'd never let you sit with the cool kids anyway. Even if you supressed every moral, bent every knee and faked it to your absolute limit.

..and this is thing. The point of this post. It's always been like this. Yes, things are bad, but no more bad than they've always been.

Normality has returned. It feels slightly crushing and terrifying, but these last four years have really been an aberration. A glorious one, but an aberration. It's amazing it even happened, and now it has happened it can never be taken away. It'll become gilded, like a summer memory. Preserved in amber, framed in gold.

Again, it feels bad that the standard superficial high school order has returned, but we've had this all our lives. It's always been this way. It's nothing we can't deal with. We're used to being losers.

So don't worry too much. Your Facebook friends have always been sheep-like. The media has always been sentimental mush. These people have always been in charge. Remember?

Plus, now these chauffeured brats have gotten their own way again perhaps they'll lay off us all for a bit. They've really thrown the kitchen sink at us all over these last four years. Especially this last year. In fact, it's been one long spoilt tantrum. A historic hissy fit. That we had the temerity to insist that the DJ play some of our songs for a time. They just couldn't tolerate it.

The privileged outrage at the fact that they weren't running the show. Their hysteric and wild-eyed attempts to restore themselves to the "popularity" apex. The sheer depths they went to. It's been fascinating and disturbing to watch. They just can't cope with being losers like we can.

They were literally prepared to destroy everything if they couldn't get their own way.

So maybe now they have got their own way again they'll stop the tears and boot-stamping, and return to bitchily clawing at each other as they scramble for social clout. Instead of aiming their hatred and ire at us. Maybe things might calm down a bit.

Of course it's not fair, it never was, but maybe this is the only way the drama will end. Let them have their victory, however they won it, and with angelic calm we can patiently take a longer view.

We've done okay. In fact, we've done pretty good. So just keep on keeping on.

We're Sleepwalking into a Mental Health Crisis

It's been a common refrain over recent months; "Lockdowns are causing a mental health crisis."

This in turn has led to calls for more help and funding. Whenever I see this debate appear I always wonder though; just where are we heading as a society?

Obviously people require help for emotional and mental problems, so I would never argue against it. Who would? However, I still nevertheless fear that as a society we may be making a rod for our own back.

For a start I'm uncomfortable with the way we're medicalising what are often simply normal human emotions.

As humans we feel the full spectrum of emotions. From euphoria to depression. For all manner of reasons. It's what we would call the human condition. Life is complex and so are we.

(a cheeky chimp ..swinging

happily in the trees)

In days gone by most people would eschew being labelled as having a "mental health" condition. Not wanting to be attached to the negative connotations that such a label would bring. These days however people embrace such labels. You only need to look at people's Twitter bios to see countless examples.

I'm not against this per se. Or against people discussing their fears and problems openly. In fact, as stated above, I think it's perfectly natural for humans to have such experiences and to discuss them. Life can be a rollercoaster. I just fear that we're medicalising the human experience in a way that will ultimately dehumanise us. I also worry that such mislabelling will lead to problems simply not being solved.

For instance, return to the problems caused by lockdowns. If you're depressed or anxious because you've had your freedoms curtailed is this a problem of your brain and body? Or is the issue the circumstances you are in?

If you're labelled with "depression" this implies that the problem lies with you. Since this problem is within yourself then it's you that needs the counselling, medication and whatever else is offered as a solution. However, if the root cause of the depression is the circumstances in which you're living then the problem can only truly be solved by changing or improving those circumstances.

It's like if you take a wild mouse and put it in a cage. If the mouse starts becoming withdrawn and behaving erratically when placed in this captivity is the problem the mouse, or is the problem the cage?

You can perhaps medicate or train the mouse to cope with being caged, but it'll always be a poor and clumsy attempt at making a bad situation more bearable.

Of course, the causes of mental and emotional problems are often a fine tapestry, but still, I feel this is what we're essentially doing to ourselves. Tailoring the human spirit to fit poor circumstances. Instead of tailoring the circumstances to better fit the people. In the process relegating what once would've been viewed as deep spiritual and philosophical experiences to something akin to a medical ailment.

In many ways we're doing a similar thing with lockdowns now. Instead of tailoring health care to fit a free society we're tailoring society (along with its joys and freedoms) to accommodate a health care system.

This leads me nicely to my final point of concern, and that's what happens once such a system of mental health care is fully in place. Over the last year we've seen coercion used and basic rights overturned in the quest for public health and safety. Will we eventually see similar things in the quest for mental hygiene? When we have an army of well-funded 'professionals' ready to safeguard our mental health will we see the communal mind being cleansed with a similar zeal?

..and more to the point what happens if individuals want to refuse or opt out of such 'help'.

This returns us to the labels that people are so readily accepting at present. There may be benefits to accepting such labels, but what about the potential drawbacks? What if such labels are used against a person?

What happens if such a system of psychiatric intrusion becomes a tool of the state, or of a certain political faction? Or if society en masse simply becomes zealous and hysterical? What are the safeguards to stop things from going too far?

Though it's obviously wrong, mean and immoral to label an enemy or opponent as "mad" it is nevertheless quite common. To paint someone as 'mentally unfit' is a well used and effective tactic. If you've already self-certified yourself as having mental issues then it would no doubt make it even easier for an opponent to do this.

What if people are wrongly barred from certain professions or activities because of such labelling? Or worse still what if someone is wrongly sectioned or forcibly medicated?

You'd like to think such things would be highly, highly unlikely, but that likeliness is only proportional to our continued vigilance ultimately. History shows us this.

When the Coronavirus Act was passed last year that contained changes which meant only one doctor's signature would be needed to detain a person under the Mental Health Act. Instead of the usual two.

This is mildly concerning. Normally in a free society a person's liberty can only be removed in a courtroom before a jury. So sectioning in of itself is an aberration from this process. Making such a thing easier and less accountable should therefore be a worry to most people.

Once again, it obviously goes without saying there are people out there with serious mental issues that require serious help and treatment. So I don't want to downplay the problem, nor doubt the intentions of anyone pushing for solutions. It is potentially a very slippery slope though. Especially given how mechanical and materialistic our view of human life has now become.

Things once deemed of the spirit and soul. The rainbow-like range of human thoughts and emotions. All reduced to mundane labels with bullet-pointed remedies.

Are we sleepwalking dimly into dystopia.

(..not as colourful as the monkey,

but perhaps more relevant)

The Democracy of Crossing The Road

Have you ever been in that situation where you're waiting to cross the road and it's taking a really long time? Perhaps the traffic lights are going slowly, or maybe they're broken altogether. As you're waiting that judgement presents itself. Do you patiently wait for the road to become completely clear of cars? Or do you perhaps make a run for it when you spot a smaller gap?

Of course, it's always sensible to wait until you know it's safe to cross. After all, you're just squishy flesh and blood, and they're hunking great machines. Though if you're really in a rush, or you're a particularly rash individual you may take the risk. Either way you're the one that has to avoid the cars. The onus is on you to keep out of their way. As they're an overwhelming force that you're powerless to stop.

When there's a few more people waiting to cross the road it's a slightly different situation. Again, the people are still just squishy flesh, and the cars remain dangerous obstacles. However, suddenly there's a tiny bit of strength in numbers.

The solid cars can still mow down the soft people, but the balance has shifted slightly.

It's difficult to say at what point the balance tips fully. It completely depends upon the situation I guess. You'll no doubt have experienced such a circumstance yourself though at some point;

There are perhaps now 10 or 20 people waiting at the traffic lights. All becoming increasingly impatient to cross the road. The impatience builds. A few eager feet edge ever-closer to the tarmac of the road. One guy, perhaps a slither more rash than the others, makes a move. Everyone else, like a flock of starlings, instinctively follows. The annoyed drivers having to slow down and stop with frustration as this herd of people then bustle across to the other side of the street.

A collective decision that happens almost telepathically. The subtle cues of body language. The building group impatience. The overall circumstances of the situation. That very minor rush of leadership. All rising to a crescendo of; "Yeah, we're all crossing this road now, damn it!"

Of course, it doesn't always work out like this. Sometimes a hothead may make a rush to step out and the others may think "I'm not following that idiot." Again, the circumstances are always unique to the moment. That potential tipping of the scales is clear enough to see though. An extreme example would perhaps be when thousands of football fans spill out of a stadium. As this throng of supporters floods army-like onto the street the cars are powerless in their wake. Having to wait like pedestrians until this force of nature passes. The sheer numbers, and the mood of those people making up the numbers, dictating the outcome.

Anyway, this 'crossing the road' phenomena always makes me think: democracy.

It reminds me that even in an absolute dictatorship there still remains this natural democracy. Ready to reach a tipping point when all these subtle cues and feelings coalesce to an apogee.

Many others before me have pointed out how 'democracy of the ballot' is essentially a sensible and more civilised substitute for this democracy of nature. A substitute for war, or other physical conflations. Where we can judge who has the greater numbers or force of passion on their side, without having to go through the storm of physical battle.

It also makes me wonder if great leadership comes in having the ability to read these great forces, or indeed in having the ability to conduct the feelings that lead to such tempests.

(This image I knocked up recently has little

to do with crossing the road, but it's vaguely 'roady',

and I guess it adds some colour. Mountain Stars.)

..a short tribute

This post is just a short tribute. The YouTuber known as Jeff C died recently. I didn't know him personally, but I've followed his work for a long time now. So much so that his voice has been a regular fixture in my life these last five or six years or so. I'm saddened and quite shocked by his sudden death. In fact, part of the reason I'm posting is to try and process it myself. Since I found out yesterday evening I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

He was a great man. One of the great voices of our time.

I'm sharing the video below as it seemed quite fitting. I only came across it and watched it for the first time last night when I was downloading some of his other videos and livestreams to keep for posterity. He was a truly good man and he will be missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WSfFAj9LhY&t=494s

Happy Brexmas.

A little Christmas day post. Brexmas.

Obviously yesterday the Brexit deal was announced. I have no real idea what the details are, but everyone seems fairly happy with it. So broadly it feels good. It was announced yesterday just as I was leaving the house. Coincidentally where I live it began snowing at almost the exact same time.

It wasn't a great snow, basically just a fancy, white rain. So it had no chance of laying, though as it fell it did create a brief sense of winter wonderland. As I got soaked heading into town I kept catching glimpses of Boris, alongside Union Jacks, on TV screens through windows as it was broadcast to the nation. Quite picturesque.

Postal Voting - UK Style

I received some post yesterday, courtesy of the Labour Party, offering me the opportunity to request a postal vote. Obviously it's unfair to cast aspersions. After all, postal voting is perfectly legal. However, these days I almost instinctively equate postal voting with fraud. So my first thought was, "Surprise, surprise, Labour pushing the Biden method."

The fact that they use the coronavirus as a further reason to vote by post making my head shake in disapproval even more.

I'd like to believe that every postal vote is rigorously vetted, but it stands to reason that the more postal votes there are the harder it is to do this. Simply for practical reasons.

The form I was sent only requires a date of birth and a signature. Even the phone number and email boxes are 'optional'. Again, I would hope each application is thoroughly checked, but it doesn't take a genius to see how easy it would be to exploit such a system if things are a little lax or overstretched.

For example, I live in a household with three other adults. So four letters popped through the door yesterday. It wouldn't be difficult for one person to fill in all four and send them back.

Another thing I dislike about postal votes is the way it makes it easier for people to be leaned on in regard who they're voting for. For example, a dominant member of a household or community could easily press others into voting a particular way.

The beauty with the poll booth is that you enter on your own. So no one can see how you vote. A housewife may pay lip service to the politics of her domineering husband at home, but can vote according to her own judgement in the secrecy of the poll booth. Safe in the knowledge that it'll remain private. However, when you're filling in a form at home that's not always the case.

Likewise it's easier to pressure and bamboozle elderly people. Particularly those that are in care homes or that are dependent upon carers.

In the post-Brexit referendum days we started seeing some discussions about an upper age limit on voting. The argument being that we don't allow children to vote as they're not mentally developed enough, therefore the same should likewise apply to older people whose faculties are failing.

When it comes to voting in person though this argument is completely redundant. If someone is mentally capable enough to deliberately get out of bed on polling day and then head to the polling station to vote then they're clearly capable enough to make their own judgement when it comes to politics. Someone not in possession of their faculties wouldn't be capable of this, nor is it likely that they'd think to do so anyway.

So there's no need for any upper limit, as those that are incapable naturally stop voting when they become incapable.

With postal voting though this becomes far more problematic. As a carer or family member can fill in the form and process the application on behalf of a person who is in serious mental decline. It therefore stands to reason that this helper will also be in a position to guide or overly influence the older person's vote as well.

Like nudging a wealthy widow into signing an updated will and testament.

With people in care homes barely allowed to step outside this year it's all too easy to imagine how they'll be pressured into voting by post from this position of 'safety' as well.

Marijuana is the smell of capitalism..

Just a quick post today. I want to make note of something that I thought I'd already mentioned on here, but I must not have. I guess I must have just tweeted about it or something.

As the title suggests it's that marijuana is the smell of capitalism.

Firstly, before I start, I should note that I'm not pro-marijuana. I don't really care what other people get up to in their personal life, but it's not my thing. So I'm generally against the use of recreational drugs. I'm more interested in the economic aspect.

What interests me in particular is that it shows how entrepreneurial normal people can be when a gap in the market presents itself.

As the gap in supplying marijuana can't be legally filled people with less to lose and more to gain step in to take the risk. You'll literally see scruffs from "lazy, jobless" council estates setting up entire marijuana farms in attics and garages. To then distribute it at a profit around the area.

It's essentially just slick and vibrant business. Albeit illegal business.

So whenever I smell that distinctive smell outside. A common aroma on English streets these days. I instantly think; "capitalism".

It shows, in an odd way, how industrious people can be when they have a market demand to fill. It also illustrates why it's harder for poorer people, indeed most people, to make headway in the legal markets. As legal markets tend to be already cornered by large business. 

It always makes me wonder what would happen if other things were made illegal.

If oranges were made illegal would we see illegal orchards popping up in backrooms and basements to fill the demand for fresh orange juice?

Now we live in age where much of normal human life is being deemed illegal will this black market capitalism also rise to fill these natural demands too? It'll be interesting to see what happens.

In fact, that's what reminded me of this today. I saw footage earlier of police trying to cut their way into a building to stop an illegal 'lock in' 😅

Perhaps they'll finally succeed in making all alcohol and pubs illegal. Then we'll have years of spending billions to stop the illegal trade. Then eventually someone will have the bright idea of legalising it all again and taxing it.