Posts
It is difficult to comprehend the true nature of the economic downturn, as it has been so phrased by my many of the large media corporations. There are those who state that it is nothing more than a 'bump in the road', so to speak. Others have argued that it is a representation of the consequence of corporate greed and an international ambition to develop a constantly developing economy.
For the most part, I agree with both statements, although for different reasons. I have often noted that, when suffering troubled times, communities fall together as though to stand united in the fight against that which is opposed to them. In both world wars, communities stood together to fight against the tyranny of another nation. Indeed, I would hope that, in times of economic difficulty, communities will come together to support one another as a good neighbour should.
Alas, onto the matters of economic failure. For all that it is worth, I am not one to state that I have a wealth of information in regards to the economic climate but the sheer visual nature of the downturn represents a problem within this nation, and indeed in many other nations.
I have seen crowds standing in JobCentre Plus, constantly seeking labour in a time when the government is claiming to create tens of thousands of jobs for those who have been made redundant. Prices continue to fluctuate in most supermarkets and it has become a battle of the brands to become 'top dog' in a market where people are constantly seeking the lowest price.
It's a sad sight, knowing that there are those who could have prevented this consequence. The Times, a respected newspaper, published a list of those responsible for the economic downturn and I must admit that I agree with most, if not all.
It's of little surprise that Gordon Brown was listed, following the economic ideals of a man who, in later years, agreed that the end result of his economic approach would be a 'boom and bust' economy. In a world where phrases are being thrown around with such great ease and the finger is being pointed, it seems that things will only get worse.
Predictably, government initiatives have done little to resolve the problem, especially some of the more controversial policies which were introduced. The 2.5% VAT reduction, for example, has done little to motivate spending and most people would agree that it is not worthwhile. What use is a reduction that, when spending £400, the consumer saves £10.
Having said that, we cannot expect the government to wave a wand and the world will be right once more. Sadly, neither the government nor Gordon Brown has the power to do that. It is within our power to change the state of our nation from one that seems to be growing to represent 1984 (George Orwell) to a nation that represents communities, freedom and liberty.
I cannot imagine that the economic climate will return to normality in the next year. In the legal profession, where 2,200 redundancies have been made so far, claims of a return to normality have been predicted for 2011/2012. We must wait for the time when we can stand again and be proud of our nation.
The question is; how long will we have to wait?
Showing posts with label Humanity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humanity. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Review of 'The Shack' [Article]
I would not state that this is set to become the theologian's first port of call in attempting to understand the nature of God. Instead, it seems to portray itself as an introduction into theology, by way of a novelistic style. It has its roots in orthodox Christianity and I was generally satisfied with the approach, though was in no way swayed by its line of thought to convert myself to Christianity.
Alas, it's very difficult to understand some of the profound concepts that it discusses and there are some who might find the book to be pretentious. As one reviewer stated 'This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for him'. Of course, few appreciate that the Pilgrim's Progress was nothing more than the solidification of orthodox Christian views in John Bunyan's generation. I find it rather amusing that the comparison would be made.
As a novel, however, it ticks all the boxes. I was impressed with the development of the main character and the plot was both thrilling and interesting. In a generation that has become fascinated with crime, horror and thrillers, this was a pleasant change from the norms.
It's not aimed at those people who are 'Christian' in nature. In truth, it doesn't even describe itself as a 'religious text', rather it has religious themes which border upon the lines between theology and human psychology. Most of the book is concerned with questions most people would have - it provides ample opportunity for empathy for the main character, something that was evoked early in the book.
If someone were to ask me if it were aimed at the agnostic or the atheist, I would have to agree with a friend that it is aimed at the agnostic. The declaration of atheism is an absolute statement and this book requires some element of 'openness' in regards to belief. There is no room for scepticism (save for the part of the main character!). It has that element of subjectivity and conditional views that appeals to me.
What would I describe the book as? I'd describe it as a tragic tale of a man's search within himself for answers to questions he never asked. It has a Christian foreground but it does not impose those beliefs. Rather, it provides a chance for the reader to interchange 'God' for their personal beliefs. It's a beautiful and sad story that is written rather well. Its main feature is its simplicity in style.
In regards to a recommendation, I'd offer it to all who have an open mind and are interested in something that might challenge their belief system. For those who empathise this characters, it is a must. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I suspect that another million have too.
Become the next one!
Buy 'The Shack'.
Alas, it's very difficult to understand some of the profound concepts that it discusses and there are some who might find the book to be pretentious. As one reviewer stated 'This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for him'. Of course, few appreciate that the Pilgrim's Progress was nothing more than the solidification of orthodox Christian views in John Bunyan's generation. I find it rather amusing that the comparison would be made.
As a novel, however, it ticks all the boxes. I was impressed with the development of the main character and the plot was both thrilling and interesting. In a generation that has become fascinated with crime, horror and thrillers, this was a pleasant change from the norms.
It's not aimed at those people who are 'Christian' in nature. In truth, it doesn't even describe itself as a 'religious text', rather it has religious themes which border upon the lines between theology and human psychology. Most of the book is concerned with questions most people would have - it provides ample opportunity for empathy for the main character, something that was evoked early in the book.
If someone were to ask me if it were aimed at the agnostic or the atheist, I would have to agree with a friend that it is aimed at the agnostic. The declaration of atheism is an absolute statement and this book requires some element of 'openness' in regards to belief. There is no room for scepticism (save for the part of the main character!). It has that element of subjectivity and conditional views that appeals to me.
What would I describe the book as? I'd describe it as a tragic tale of a man's search within himself for answers to questions he never asked. It has a Christian foreground but it does not impose those beliefs. Rather, it provides a chance for the reader to interchange 'God' for their personal beliefs. It's a beautiful and sad story that is written rather well. Its main feature is its simplicity in style.
In regards to a recommendation, I'd offer it to all who have an open mind and are interested in something that might challenge their belief system. For those who empathise this characters, it is a must. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I suspect that another million have too.
Become the next one!
Buy 'The Shack'.
Understanding the Nature of Thought
One of the problems that all men have is that of the concept of the conscience. We are designed, and indeed programmed, to contemplate the deep meanings of those things which have the greatest importance in our lives. We are taught, throughout our childhood, that the greatest tool man possesses is his mind, the power of the thought. In fact, it was a seventeenth century judge who declared us as being 'reasonable creatures in being'. As far as one can understand the term 'reasonable', this judge was, in fact, referring to the concept of the power of reason, to understand the difference between right and wrong. It was the power of thought that made us reasonable.
Throughout the centuries and more so in recent decades we have come to argue as to what the concept of thought is, how it is that we induce thought and stimulate thought. Are our thoughts all the same? Are our values and attitudes similar to one another, ingrained in us by societal standards? For one sociologist, this was the case. Durkheim stipulated that our thoughts and processes related to a 'collective conscience' which was expressed through a number of different functions within society. For example, our values on the sanctity of life, the value of property and so forth were dictated through a common set of values known as laws, enforced by the function of the judiciary. He argued that our values and beliefs on children and childhood were reinforced through the education system, by a commonly held system of beliefs that was shown through different functions.
According to Durkheim, this collective conscience stimulated the concept of reason and therefore allowed us to create a harmonious society that was indeed based on consensus values. Of course, this does not answer the question 'where does thought come from?', it merely postulates as to what thought is, or at least, a form of thought. For the formation of thought, we must look towards religious scripture. Indeed, the Judeo-Christian religion believes that thought, the knowledge of good and evil, comes not from ourselves but as a gift from God. It is stated in the Bible, more accurately the Old Testament, or the Torah for the Jewish, that thought was a creation of man's curiosity, a desire to be 'better' than perfection. Religious believers hold that evil thoughts come from the devil and that he is to blame for the error of our ways.
For many psychologists, and for the growing number of atheists, this is an inadequate explanation. Scientists continued to be baffled by the neuro-processes of the brain. Psychologists explain that thought is merely a phenomenon of the human body, of the brain. For the far and few who have tried to define thought, there has been little success. What do people truly believe is thought? What do you hold to be 'thought'? Do you hold religious convictions and therefore hold that thought is a gift from God? Are you an atheist and continue to seek an explanation for those small processes which make up the matter of the mind?
Dreams and their Nature [Article]
The beautiful illusion of the imagination, entwined with the conscience to bring forth a delight of ideas and places that the world no longer holds within its palm. Life and all its problems no longer exist, replaced with pleasure and happiness within the world which our mind creates, to leave us free and unburdened with the troubles of the mind, allowing us to ignore the constant processes that echo in the deepest realms of our mind. Alas, this is but one side of the coin where the other is far more sinister and cruel that one could ever imagine, a place where the darkness envelopes us with a vice-like grip and our single escape is to delve into the reality of life where the darkness could be far worse, the contrast between the darkness of life and the darkness of dreams.
Dreams, the ironic form of escapism that millions across the world are often blessed with as their conscious state falls, replaced with illusions and majestic creations that the imagination has created. Nightmares, the cold and bitter troubles that are brought forth from the deepest realms of our heart and mind, where the pain and the suffering was once thought forgotten, instead to be revived in the mind and the greatest fears within our heart are brought to life in the twisted illusion of escapism; the question is, are the nightmares an escape from life or an escape from the true pain of life?
The frightening contrast between the two, the blissful wonder of dreams and the bitter revelations of the nightmares which we cannot escape; one night, we shall awaken, feeling refreshed and relaxed as our dreams were of our greatest pleasures and another night, the darkness shall surround us and our feeble figure will awaken in a feverish state, immersed in the darkness of light as our true escape was from the twisted tales of our mind that were once forgotten. Why is it that we dream if we are to suffer chaos in the midst of sleep? Is this another cruel form of torture, burdened upon us through the will of a greater being?
I ask myself this, are we blessed to have such an imagination that can create such illusions, the bitter winds of the landscape, tainted with crimson blood, soldiers dead upon the battlefield as explosions echo in the distance. Are we blessed to bear witness to the delights of our sweet love in our dreams, the radiant glow of their face and the comfort and emotion that such a person brings to our lives. Are we, in fact, even dreaming at all?
The Existence of Truth [Article]
I often find that an opinion can change with a simple sentence because our mind is fragile, feeble even. It is based upon circumstantial opinions and evidence, our principles are formed based upon our location, our environment and our upbringing which can often cause chaos when two of different basis' come together in a meeting for their opinions clash, causing conflict which is far from beneficial.
The fact that our mind is that weak to change because we are influenced through words seems almost frightening, to imagine that words can change our lifestyle is a daunting prospect. Some people attempt to battle against the words, arguing and debating but it often comes to no avail except that a person is now perceived as argumentative and refuses to accept the truth.
The question is...what is truth? Is truth what we perceive as a fact? How can one person state that something is fact, imagine this; someone speaks of several memories which are perceived to be fact, if that person then tells the word of their memories, will everyone believe they are facts? Unlikely. Truth. It's a word that has no true meaning in the world except in our minds, we focus upon that word but we can never state that truth is fact because often, fact is nothing more than a foundational opinion.
Imagine that. Fact is opinion. Truth is false.
Personal Challenges in Politics
As the elections once more captivate the masses in a delightful turn of events, I should wonder what it is that brought millions of people to decide that we are better left under the control of the Conservatives. After all, do people not know what the Conservatives represent? I should believe that most believe dire reform is required within Parliament. Who wouldn't? We have gone to war with a country that, whilst tormented by disease and poverty, shows little sign of being the bountiful settlement that both Britain and America hoped it would. After all, the intelligent amongst us would know that the Iraq War was not an attempt to restore peace to the Middle East. Far from it, in fact. The Iraq War was, how shall I put this, a political movement. This was all about economics.
Consider the fact that the Middle East prospers. How? The Middle East is ravaged by war. Politics is cast aside, replaced by a theological government that opposes (male) homosexuality and the possibility of a second religion entering the state. How can the Middle East prosper under such considerations? How - because it works. The Middle East is, in essence, a theocracy. People respect religion - people worship religion and, because religion rules, there is no need for taxation and foreign affairs that Western civilisation seems so obsessed with. This isn't the main reason that the Middle East prospers. Of course not, that's ridiculous.
There is one reason - oil. The Middle East accounts for a high percentage of oil. The economics of the Middle East are based, on the majority, of oil sales to Western civilisations because our scientists have failed to discover some alternative source of fuel that will save us all from eternal damnation when, heaven forbid, climate change kicks in. The Middle East sells oil relatively cheap. In fact, if you research the price of oil in different countries, you'd see the surprising difference between Western and Eastern countries.
Rising prices within the US - $100 p/barrel
Rising prices within Asia - $130 p/barrel
This is all due to politics. Consider the images which have been added. Prices shot up at the beginning of the Iraq war because it has a surplus of oil. As the world progresses from crisis to crisis, the oil price skyrockets. Investors continue to argue that oil prices in the US may reach $200 p/barrel within the next few years. If I were you, I'd be afraid. We all depend on oil. We need to consider a back-up plan. In fact, we need a plan! That's where politics comes into it all, that lovely word 'politics'.
British citizens voted in the local elections that Conservatives should have power within Parliament. For the first time in ten or so years, Conservatives have beaten Labour. I wonder, do people honestly believe that a new party will help solve all our problems? I certainly hope not. I'd be afraid if that were so. We need to pull our finger out of our ears and do something drastic. Why not pull out of Iraq? I think it's caused us enough grief as it is. Let them solve their own problems. Why not stop waiting months to decide something and do it in a day? MPs (Members of Parliament) have so much time on their hands, it's frightening. Normal people work so hard and they don't get half the publicity these imposters do.
I say we make a stand and let Parliament know what we want!
Consider the fact that the Middle East prospers. How? The Middle East is ravaged by war. Politics is cast aside, replaced by a theological government that opposes (male) homosexuality and the possibility of a second religion entering the state. How can the Middle East prosper under such considerations? How - because it works. The Middle East is, in essence, a theocracy. People respect religion - people worship religion and, because religion rules, there is no need for taxation and foreign affairs that Western civilisation seems so obsessed with. This isn't the main reason that the Middle East prospers. Of course not, that's ridiculous.
There is one reason - oil. The Middle East accounts for a high percentage of oil. The economics of the Middle East are based, on the majority, of oil sales to Western civilisations because our scientists have failed to discover some alternative source of fuel that will save us all from eternal damnation when, heaven forbid, climate change kicks in. The Middle East sells oil relatively cheap. In fact, if you research the price of oil in different countries, you'd see the surprising difference between Western and Eastern countries.
Rising prices within the US - $100 p/barrel
Rising prices within Asia - $130 p/barrel
This is all due to politics. Consider the images which have been added. Prices shot up at the beginning of the Iraq war because it has a surplus of oil. As the world progresses from crisis to crisis, the oil price skyrockets. Investors continue to argue that oil prices in the US may reach $200 p/barrel within the next few years. If I were you, I'd be afraid. We all depend on oil. We need to consider a back-up plan. In fact, we need a plan! That's where politics comes into it all, that lovely word 'politics'.
British citizens voted in the local elections that Conservatives should have power within Parliament. For the first time in ten or so years, Conservatives have beaten Labour. I wonder, do people honestly believe that a new party will help solve all our problems? I certainly hope not. I'd be afraid if that were so. We need to pull our finger out of our ears and do something drastic. Why not pull out of Iraq? I think it's caused us enough grief as it is. Let them solve their own problems. Why not stop waiting months to decide something and do it in a day? MPs (Members of Parliament) have so much time on their hands, it's frightening. Normal people work so hard and they don't get half the publicity these imposters do.
I say we make a stand and let Parliament know what we want!
Conception of Ideas [Article]
I find it quite amusing that people continue to believe that their life is the exact reality which they have shaped over numerous years, placing their greatest efforts in the prospect of success, wealth and (wo)men. I find it ironic that people continue to believe themselves absorbed in the reality which is life, only to later have the veil swept from their eyes. Their reaction? They simply grasp at the wool and pull it over their eyes once more. They cannot bear to see the reality, the reality which has been downgraded by the force and the impact of the Media upon our lives. Do you not find it distressing that there is an external reality which you are yet to see? Do you prefer to live in ignorance, your life being dictated and perpetuated by the ignorance of your own mind and the delight that is the media?
What you live in, as sociologists have coined it, is known as a hyperreality. This is the reality of images and illusions. In other words, this is the virtual reality for humans. A hyperrealty is created by the media. How, you may ask, can I prove this? Take a look around. The world is nothing but a mass of images. Images of perfection and imperfection. Images of war and peace. Images of life and death. This is the world of images and we are dictated by it. Models are dictated by the hyperreality of fashion. Intellects are dictated by the hyperreality of computers and art. There are none who escape this hyperreality. It is the inevitable fate of life yet, there is a loophole. We cannot escape the media nor can we escape the images which continue to control and dictate our lives with frightening accuracy but we can realise its true intention. We can become our own person.
We are like the lost sheep, seeking a leader in this world of chaos. We found one in the media. What were their intentions? Were these intentions good or evil? Once, they may have been good. This intention has been lost to time. Instead, the media has become a grotesque, realistic image of the devil himself, a spawn of evil that seeks only to promote the chaos of life so that they might continue their existence and bathe in the misery of the masses. This is not poetry. This is reality. War is a reality and yet it is perpetuated by the media. It is an illusion. It was not a campaign for world peace. It was a campaign for control. Why not realise this and become who you are meant to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)