tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281101092024-03-12T16:56:10.369-07:00Diurnal JournalObservations, Tit-bits, Polemics.
Don't take it too seriously, it is only a blog!Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-70364801755340742662011-06-28T04:16:00.000-07:002011-06-28T04:19:46.241-07:00Reading Tea LeavesMy Paternal Grandmother was occasionally encouraged to look for patterns in the Tea Leaves at the bottom of her cup. Certain relatives were convinced that she was able to 'read' them and so divine the future.<br /><br />Our 'Scientific' Culture is sometimes no better than this. It thinks that it sees patterns and then tries to direct us, based on these dimly perceived shapes.<br /><br />Modern people are obsessed with 'Codes' , 'Ciphers' and Patterns. You can make a fortune writing books which claim to 'unlock' the secrets of either Science or Religion by means of some hitherto hidden key.<br /><br />Modern Scientists try to do the same thing, to circumvent the need for Allah/ God Almighty by discovering the Ultimate 'Theory of Everything'.<br /><br />In my view, this is the work of the Devil. True Religion does not base itself on Occult 'Knowledge'. It bases itself on trying to please God by following his Will.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong with marvelling at Gods Creation or expanding ones Knowledge but this must never become the basis of Faith.<br /><br />Human Beings will Never know the 'Secrets of the Universe' or at least, only as far as Allah/God Almighty permits it. We should learn to just sit back and admire and stop trying to control everything all the while.<br /><br />'What is this life, if full of care, we have no time, to stand and stare'.<br /><br />In other words, we need to be more Humble.<br /><br />Be thankful when some Observation or Research serves to benefit us, relieves our suffering or satisfies our curiosity but stop fooling ourselves that we can ever really 'understand' what we are a part of.<br /><br />Knowledge is a Gift, not a Right.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-14104946174333170842011-05-23T03:50:00.000-07:002011-05-23T03:50:28.139-07:00BBC News - 'Rapture': Believers perplexed after prediction fails<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13489641">BBC News - 'Rapture': Believers perplexed after prediction fails</a><br /><br />True Faith is about Trusting in the Ultimate Purposes of Allah/God Almighty and not trying to force the hand of God. These Evangelicals are misguided in thinking that they 'know' things that other people do not. If they spent as much time on works of mercy and charity as they do on pointless speculation about the 'end of the world', they would be perhaps more pleasing to God. They could give Religion a bad name. I wish that all people of Religion would get on with trying to make the World a more holy place and leave its ending to Allah/God Almighty. He will end the world in his own way and in his own time. The timing is not our concern. It could be in the next ten Seconds or the next Billion Years, for all we know. What is our concern, is how we conduct ourselves during the time allotted to us !<br /><br />'Stop the World, I want to get off' is not a sign of 'Faith'. It is a sign of an inability to accept the tasks put in front of us. It does not surprise me that America is rife with this false form of Religion but there are also people of Firm Faith who just get on with things as life goes on. They are the people of True Faith.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-47872599504345883202011-04-23T04:45:00.001-07:002011-04-23T07:30:41.089-07:00The Village Mentality<p>I have spent virtually all of my fifty odd years living in a typical, Lower Middle Class English Suburb, named Leicester Forest East.</p><p>The remarkable thing that I find is that although I have lived in the area for over fifty years, I feel no affection for it.</p><p>There are a lot worse places in which to live. I should be thankful but I am not fond of the place. I don't hate it, I just feel a cold indifference to it. I admit that this is rather sad.</p><p>It is essentially a dormitory and only comes alive at the weekends when the residents engage in a frenzy of DIY 'improvements' to their properties. The properties near me are mostly semi-detached houses and most of the residents have at least two vehicles. This results in much congestion. We have grass verges but they are often churned up by parked vehicles and the pavements are often blocked by the same.</p><p>The area has very few shops. People tend to drive out to the large shopping parks. There is one less shop in the vicinity than there was when I was five years old. This is despite the considerable expansion of housing during the ensuing decades.</p><p>Whenever more houses are built, the existing residents invariably complain about it. They forget that they are sitting on land that was once green. It amuses me that I have been in the area long enough to remember when most of the properties surrounding me were green fields.</p><p>They are about to build over four thousand extra houses in the wider area and I must be one of the few people who do not mind.</p><p>The majority are bemoaning the fact that the 'green fields' will be lost. The fact is that few of them have ever walked on these fields, they cannot bring themselves to fetch a newspaper without jumping into their 'People Carrier' first. They fail to preserve even the grass verge outside their own doorstep, which usually has the said 'People Carrier' parked on it but they miss the 'green fields'.</p><p>The area proudly proclaims itself to be a 'Neighborhood Watch Area'.</p><p>Every now and again you get some busybody poking their nose in - some self appointed custodian of the Public Good. People are quick to find fault with any minor 'misdemeanor' which you may have inadvertently committed. Occasionally, little notes are put through your door - often with no name attached - reminding you of what an inconsiderate resident you are.</p><p>When I was young, nobody had heard of a 'BarBQ' but now, thanks to Soap Operas such as 'Neighbors' and the growing American influence in British Society, it has become a major Summer activity. The aroma of Cheap Burgers and Charcoal Burning permeates the atmosphere. Dare to light a Bonfire and you will have a busybody calling or leaving you a note but you are free to pollute the air with as much cheap burger emissions as you want.</p><p>I could go on but I had better not. You get the idea, I do not like the ethos of Lower Middle Class England. Nevertheless, my irritation with it is probably as integral a part of my personality as anything else is.</p><p>The Internet is a wonderful way of stepping out of these cloying 'localisms'. In times past, people were trapped within a very narrow circle of people, defined by their locale. This need no longer be the case. They say , 'Think Globally but Act Locally'. Whether this is desirable or possible depends on your Locale. In my case, I have no intention of trying to influence or interact with anyone locally.</p><p>The English Lower Middle Class like being Insular although they quickly absorb the very worst aspects of the Mass-Media Mono-Culture, this being the only sense in which you could say that they are 'Internationalist'. My line is to leave them to it. The present Government encourages this attitude with the thinly disguised racism of its Immigration Policy and its deliberate hankering after a 'Village Life' which never existed.</p><p>My Ancestors, on my Fathers side of the family, lived in real Leicestershire Villages. They toiled away working on the land or acting as servants within the rich households. Later on, they became coal miners. They knew what 'Village Life' was really all about. My Great Grandfather was Born in a Workhouse in Leicestershire, my Great Great Grandmother being only 18 at the time, Father unknown. His way out was to Join the Army, at 18. He ended up serving the British Crown in India, then part of the British Empire. The closet racists forget this, that England has always had a strong connection with India and many other countries.</p><p>The City of Leicester is a wonderful example of 'Multiculturalism' but the Government declares this to be 'failing'. It is only in the Lower Middle Class areas outside of the City where Multiculturalism may be failing. I am not going to be a part of this.</p><p>I am proud to be a Citizen of the World and have no wish to be sucked into a pseudo 'Village' of petty minded back-biters, gossips, racists and meddlers. Furthermore, thanks to modern Communications Technology, I don't have to.</p><p>The fact is, the majority of people in England, myself included, do not live in 'Villages'. They live in Cities and Suburbs and there is nothing wrong with that.</p><p>It is good to be Modern, to be Diverse and to be able to live without having to justify your every move to some local busybody. This does not mean the dumping of Traditional Values. The Lower Middle Classes are usually as ignorant of these as they are of most other things.<br /><br />The 'Village Mentality' is encouraged by the Government because they are afraid of people breaking out of their immediate social surroundings. Small mindedness is an instrument of Social Control and probably always has been.</p><p> </p>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-65917224774320776742010-11-16T04:03:00.001-08:002010-11-16T04:07:36.025-08:00Traditional Versus Revolutionary Capitalism<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Society and Capitalism are at a Crossroads. </p><p>We have to collectively decide whether to proceed along a path of Upheaval and Revolutionary Change or a more Measured Process of Evolution.</p><p>The current World Economic Crisis is presenting us with a series of choices. These will determine which of these two roads humanity travels. My personal preference is for the Road of Measured Evolutionary Change but then I am getting too old for Revolutions !</p><p>The basic choice facing us is whether to follow Traditional or Revolutionary Capitalism.</p><p>The main difference between Traditional and Revolutionary Capitalism is in the way that Capital is Accumulated.</p><p>The Traditional Capitalist Accumulates Capital by Foregoing Consumption. It used to be referred to as 'Deferred Gratification'. This rather disciplined process of accumulation makes the Capitalist cautious when Investing. He/She tends to look for Investments which are likely to produce a Steady, Long Term Return on his/her Investment.</p><p>The Revolutionary Capitalist is impatient and not willing to forego anything. Capital is accumulated by Borrowing at Cheap Rates of Interest and using Derivatives to 'Leverage' the Investment. The Revolutionary Capitalist is willing to take High Risks and expects a Quick Return on his/her investment</p><p>Revolutionary Capitalism is generally at odds with the existing Political, Cultural and Ethical Norms of Society. It relies on a Rapid Expansion of Technology/Scientific Change and expects Society to Quickly Adapt to these changes. Revolutionary Capitalism does not regard itself as Serving Society, rather it regards Society as being led to the 'Promised Land'. Revolutionary Capitalism is on a Messianic Mission and will not allow 'Society' to get in the way or impede its 'Progress'.</p><p>Traditional Capitalism tends to operate in a Linear fashion. It uses 'Negative Feedback' to dampen down violent fluctuations. Revolutionary Capitalism operates in a Non-Linear fashion. It uses Powerful 'Positive Feedback' mechanisms to Amplify Inputs. This can produce Violent and Unpredictable Fluctuations. </p><p>In passing, have you noticed that the Popular Media often does not understand what 'Positive Feedback' and 'Negative Feedback' mean? They mistakenly think that the words 'Positive' and 'Negative' refer to the Desirability of the Outcome. This is nonsense and just shows how ignorant the Popular Media can be. They thus describe the recent turmoil as being due to 'Negative Feedback' when the opposite is the case. They are using a Technical Term which is used in Engineering and Cybernetics in a colloquial sense which conveys the opposite meaning!</p><p>Thatcher and Reagan were Revolutionary Capitalists. The Current Economic Crisis is the direct result of their World View.</p><p>The 'Solution' that will be offered to the Present Turmoil by followers of Thatcher and Reagan will be a Further Round of Rapid Scientific/Technological Change/Expansion. This will be Regardless of any Damage to our Environment, Culture, Social Cohesion or Religion. We will be expected to Subject ourselves to Any Change Demanded regardless of how this affects our Family, Way of Life, Values or Religion.</p><p>Revolutionary Capitalism has to Run in order to Stand Still. If it stops Running the Inherent Instability of the System will result in a Collapse.</p><p>The Alternative is to Reject this 'Solution' and insist that Capitalism Reverts to its Traditional Role of Serving Society, rather than Attempting to Lead it.</p><p>This Alternative requires a Change not only on behalf of Capitalists but also of Governments and People (or 'Consumers' as we are often described as being these days).</p><p>Capitalists will have to relearn the Virtues of Thrift, Saving and the Intelligent Assessment of Risk. They will also have to remind themselves that they are an Integral Part of a Wider Society not a Messianic Sect leading us to the 'Promised Land'. Governments will have to Realise that Capitalism is not the 'Goose which Lays the Golden Eggs' for Unlimited Public Spending. Finally People (or Consumers, if that is what you prefer to be described as being) need to Live Simpler Lives. We should not want to live in a Pleasure Dome. There is more to Life than just Shopping. You are meant to Live a Life not assume a 'Life Style'.</p><p>Which Road will Humanity Choose to Take? Will People Choose at all or merely Choose not to Choose, thus handing over the Choice to others who are willing to Choose?</p><p>Only time will tell. 'You pays your money and you takes your choice'. </p><p/></div>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-67779107842452085812010-07-22T06:23:00.001-07:002010-07-22T06:23:32.396-07:00False Religion and Human Nature<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If True Religion calls us to transcend the limitations of Human Nature, what is the cause of False Religion?<br/>The irony is that it is, again, Human Nature!<br/><br/>Just as Capitalism and Socialism tend to appeal to Greed and Laziness, respectively, False Religion tends to appeal to Power.<br/>The seeking of Power and Control over People, in the name of God, is the essence of False Religion.<br/><br/>True Religion demands that there is a struggle to overcome the Ego. It is only when the Ego has been transcended that the greater 'Self' can emerge.<br/>This greater 'Self' is where a proper relationship with God can grow. We all need an 'Ego'. It would be impossible to survive in the everyday world without it, but it has to be subservient to the greater 'Self' and thus to God.<br/><br/>The False Religious Leader has failed to transcend the Ego and ends up acting in an egotistical way, all in the name of God.<br/>This is extremely dangerous both for the Leader and those whom he/she would lead.<br/><br/>Egotistical Religious Leaders often condone great Evils which can include Murder, Genocide, Slavery, Oppression and the misinterpretation of the Word of God.<br/>The modern world is replete with many examples of this.<br/><br/>Despite these dangers, I believe that Religion is absolutely indispensable for civilized life. Without True Religion, we end up being victims of a Human Nature which can only find its true role in relation to God.<br/><br/>How do we avoid False Religion? <br/><br/>In my view, there are two ways. <br/>Firstly by overcoming the temptation to identify with the Ego (the Ego is a means, not an end).<br/>Secondly, by holding true to the principle that we are not obliged to obey anyone except God. No Human Being has the right, no matter how knowledgeable or holy they may appear to be, to act 'in the name of God' on our behalf. God has the ultimate Sovereignty over Human Beings and will have the last word.<br/><br/>This is not a recipe for a sort of religious anarchy. It is right to look for wise men and women to emulate but only God should be served.<br/>The violence that is carried out 'in the Name of God' is all about Power and much of it can be traced to the activities of various Government Intelligence Agencies. Despite all this, the world does need True Religion.<br/><br/></div>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-85474140617575751892010-07-22T04:28:00.001-07:002010-07-22T04:28:31.970-07:00Human Nature<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>It strikes me that Human Nature is the Great Constant.<br/>All our attempts to create the perfect world are thwarted by it.<br/><br/>Capitalism claims that it can harness Human Greed for the Common Good, Socialism tends to pander to Human Laziness.<br/><br/>True Religion - with all its many faults - asks us to strive to overcome both Greed and Laziness.<br/>In other words, to try to transcend our Human Nature.<br/><br/>It is perhaps not surprising that this appeal tends to be unpopular ! <br/> <br/></div>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-51715596686331302822010-03-28T16:34:00.001-07:002010-03-28T16:34:20.577-07:00How Diurnal is this Journal?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I had originally intended to write something everyday but it is clear that this has not been the case<big>!</big><br/><br/>I also took the liberty of deleting some entries which appeared to be far too trivial even for a blog.<br/>The fact is that I liked the longer articles but did not like the shorter ones.<br/><br/>I find that the main advantage of keeping a blog is that it helps to clarify my opinions.<br/>The fact that another human being MIGHT read it somehow forces me to be clear about what I really believe.<br/><br/>I have therefore resolved to try and write something most days but to maintain the style of the previous entries.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></div>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-52002843987003350372008-02-17T14:45:00.000-08:002008-02-17T16:30:29.429-08:00Northern Rock - A Failure of Government or a Failure of Business?To hear some Commentators and certainly the Conservative Opposition here in the UK, you would think that the Failure of Northern Rock was a Failure of Government.<br /><br />Gordon Brown is accused of 'returning to the Nationalisation of the 70's'.<br /><br />It seems to me that you could just as easily view it as a 'Failure of the Capitalism of the 80's'.<br /><br />After all, it was Northern Rock - a Private Company - which Failed. It could not Maintain its Liquidity and threatened to go 'Bust'. The fact that it has plenty of Assets is beside the point. Many a Business goes under due to a Lack of 'Cash Flow' regardless of a Healthy Asset Base.<br /><br />An out and out 'Thatcherite' would probably argue that the Bank should have been left to do just that - Go Bust. This is a more consistent position than the one being adopted by the Conservative Opposition. They supported the 'Bail Out' using Tax Payers Money. That is not consistent with a view that the Market should prevail and take its natural course.<br /><br />The Shareholders risked their money and so did the Savers. If they turn out to be wrong about the Return on their Investment, why should they be protected? Nobody forced them to invest their money in Northern Rock. This would be the consistent 'Capitalist' position.<br /><br />Most people would agree that had Northern Rock been allowed to fail the consequences could have been dire for the rest of the UK Banking System. The Social Consequences and the 'Knock On' effect on the rest of the Economy could have brought about a Severe Recession or even a Slump. This is why the Conservative Opposition supported the 'Left Wing' position that Tax Payers Money should be used to Underpin the Survival of the Bank.<br /><br />The 'House of cards' which is our present Debt Ridden Economy might collapse. Too many people have used Cheap Credit to Buy Properties which they cannot afford. This has Inflated the Price of Property and these Inflated Property Prices have been treated as an Asset instead of a Liability. People have used the Nominal Asset Value of their Mortgaged Property to Borrow even More Money.<br /><br />Banks have taken the same Cavalier Attitude towards Debt. Instead of properly Assessing Credit Risk and Taking Responsibility for the Risks Taken, they have sought to Displace the Risk. They want the Return without the Risk. They therefore attempt to Sell the Risk on or create some 'exotic' Derivative in the attempt to Displace the Risk onto a 'Speculator'. These Derivatives have ended up Creating an Illiquid Market of Risk. The Final Consequences of this Process are still Not Clear.<br /><br />Sooner or later the 'Chickens' were bound to come Home to Roost and they have. The 'Credit Squeeze' and the accompanying Downturn in Property Prices was an entirely Predictable turn of Events. The only thing which could not be predicted was when it would happen. We still cannot be sure how long this has to run and how far it may go. Only the 'Market' knows and it is not telling!<br /><br />Yet this is all now being portrayed as a 'Failure' of the Present Government.<br /><br />In my view any Failure of Government rests with Previous Governments. They deliberately Engineered a Credit Boom in order to Rejuvenate a Flagging Economy. They therefore created a 'Demand Led' Economy rather than a 'Supply Side' Economy. These Governments were mainly Conservative although the practice was then inherited and continued by 'New Labour'.<br /><br />In fact the 'Western' Economy as a whole is far too much 'Demand Led' in my view. The 'Supply Side' has shifted mainly to China with the United States doing most of the Consuming. This has created a Massive Imbalance which threatens to Destabilise the Whole System. Some people talk about 'Decoupling' by which they mean that China, India and others might develop enough of an Alternative Export Market to mitigate the effects of this imbalance. We can only hope that this takes place.<br /><br />If it does not, the Present Imbalance will 'Correct' itself sooner or later. The Social Consequences of this 'Correction' could be very severe indeed.<br />Government Intervention would be demanded by the Electorate. Will this then be regarded as a Failure of Government or a Failure of Capitalism?<br /><br />I have always believed that Market Capitalism is the most effective way to run an Economy but only if it operates within 'Boundary Conditions'. These 'Boundary Conditions' are set by Society. This is why Capitalism only works for the Public Good within a Democratic Framework. Markets must always be regarded as a Means to an End, not an End in Themselves. Only People are an End in Themselves.<br /><br />Markets, like the Climate, are subject to Periodic Bouts of Erratic Behaviour. In between times all is well and nobody notices their operation. In times of Turbulence and Irrationality it is entirely right that the Government should Intervene. It is Disingenuous to Portray this as a 'Failure'.<br /><br />I am not a Socialist because I believe that Socialism is the Cure which ends up being worse than the Disease. I do not believe that an Economy can be directed by a collection of 'Peoples Committees'.<br /><br />Equally, I am not a believer in Pure Market Capitalism either. Sometimes Markets Fail to Serve the Common Good and when this happens the Government has a duty to act on the Behalf of the People who Elected it. If this later turns out to be a Mistake then the Government can be Unelected at a Later Date.<br /><br />This is why Democracy is Essential. Without it, either the Government or the 'Market' is Always Right. In practice both Governments and Markets make mistakes. Democracy is our only Means of ultimately Correcting these Mistakes.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-91823739744502513142008-02-04T14:07:00.000-08:002008-02-04T15:01:18.044-08:00Time Management Versus Time OwnershipYou will find plenty of 'advice' on the market about how to manage time more efficiently. This usually comes under the general heading of 'Time Management'.<br /><br />I would wager that you will not find much of this 'advice' putting the emphasis on 'Time Ownership'.<br /><br />The idea that you should actually be in ownership of your time is not as popular with the 'powers that be' as the idea that you should be 'trained' to manage your time more efficiently on their behalf.<br /><br />What is crucial is not what you do with your time or the relative proportions of it which you devote to various activities. No - the crucial point is WHO DECIDES.<br /><br />If you decide to devote 90% of your time to helping those less fortunate than yourself, that is laudable. Provided you made the decision to so do. If, on the other hand, you are devoting 90% of your time to helping the 'poor' because some religious fanatic told you that this is the only way to save your soul - there is no merit in it. You did not make the decision, it is a form of moral blackmail.<br /><br />If you decide to devote 90% of your time to the business which employs your services, that is great. Provided you made the decision to do so. If, on the other hand, you are at the 'beck and call' of your boss out of fear of losing your job - you are nothing but a slave.<br /><br />It is not what you do or how much time you devote to things which really matters. It is how much control you have over deciding what you do with your life, for whom and for how long.<br /><br />Of course, absolute freedom is elusive. We all have to make certain compromises when allocating time to things. However, most people exaggerate the degree of necessity involved and make out that they 'have to' do things. 'It is alright for you', they will say. 'I have to work long hours'. 'I have a house to pay for, children to feed, a car to run, a 'lifestyle' to maintain'.<br /><br />Fine. Who chose that particular type of house and the area which it is in? Who chose to have children? Who chose to run that type of car or to even have a car at all? Who dictated the 'lifestyle' which you lead?<br /><br />There is always a trade-off whatever decisions you make in life. That is why it is vitally important to make your own life decisions. Managing time is managing the trade-offs. Owning time is about making sure that YOU DECIDE what to devote your time to in the first place.<br /><br />People confuse the two issues. They are encouraged to think that what matters is to manage their existing priorities more 'efficiently'. The truly vital thing is to review those priorities. Who decided what or whom you are devoting your life to? Was it you or was it someone else?<br /><br />I decided long ago that my priorities were strictly in the following order:-<br />God, Family, Friends, the wider Society, the pursuit of Enlightenment and finally ... Earning a Living. As you can see, the 'boss' comes a very gallant last!<br /><br />Does this mean that I do not care about my work or the company I work for? Not at all. It is just that employment, for me, is a means to other ends. It can never be an end in itself.<br /><br />The above is personal to me. For you - it may be very different. You may put your Work, Employment or Vocation first in the list. 'God' may not even be listed! It is up to you.<br /><br />The important thing is - MAKE SURE THAT YOU DECIDEDennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-2196174549170926052007-06-09T13:26:00.000-07:002007-06-09T13:40:54.825-07:00All Roads Lead Back to Where You Came FromIt used to be said that 'All Roads Lead to Rome'<p><br />We now seem to have 'progressed' to the point where All roads lead to a destination that usually bears a depressing resemblance to where you came from. </p><p><br />Thanks to Budget Airlines, the wonder of the 'Free' Market and modern Communications, every man, woman, child, and sometimes even Pet can now venture out to virtually any destination. When they get there, they expect to find the same 'facilities' as they have at home and the tourist industry is only too willing to oblige. The result is that everywhere you go is beginning to look the same and you will also have a very good chance of meeting your 'compatriots' whilst on your trip. </p><p><br />I used to be quite a traveller and believed that 'travel broadens the mind' but I no longer think that this is the case. There is almost a 'zen' thing here, where the ease of getting to a destination alters what you will find when you get there.<br /></p><p>I really cannot be bothered to 'go' anywhere this year and have no intention of joining the 'Package Holiday' herd. Of course, I realize that there are plenty of 'Middle Class Bohemians' who would agree with me and urge me to opt for an 'Adventure Holiday' or 'Independent Travel'. I have a certain amount of sympathy for this approach but the all pervasive 'Market' is already addressing this 'Need'. 'If the more 'Individualistic' Middle Classes crave Adventure or an 'Experience' then we must provide it for them' !<br /></p><p><br />I am really fed up with rip off merchants providing me with 'Solutions'. I am tired of my 'Needs' being 'Fulfilled'. I am weary of spending Money and Time, only to find more of the same. I am fed up trading what little Personal Autonomy I have left, for the Energy to resume working for a System that I do not believe in.<br /></p><p><br />Consequently, there will be no 'Summer Holiday' this year. I have no idea what I am going to do, as an alternative but it will not consist in 'Consuming' a Holiday Destination.</p><p><br />My problem with the Consumer Society is not really Ideological. It is a deep, Existential Boredom with it all. How 'Dull, Stale, Flat and Unprofitable' it all is. There must be something better...</p>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-86177485752223406852007-04-27T19:34:00.000-07:002007-04-27T19:37:21.033-07:00The Global Warming HypothesisI have not yet decided what to make of the recent debate concerning 'Global Warming'. <br /><br />I describe it as a 'debate' but it seems to me to be rapidly becoming more akin to a dogma. <br /><br />It seems that one is supposed to accept as a given, the proposition that the planet is 'heating up' and that it is largely due to human activity. There is also a strong hint of moral indignation in the air.<br /><br />Now before anyone pitches into me for being complacent, let me make it clear that I accept that it is probably not a good idea for us to continue to pump out carbon dioxide plus other gases into the atmosphere. However, I have a suspicion that the situation is a lot more involved than some people are making out. <br /><br />The planet started getting warmer 15 000 years or so ago, when the polar ice caps started to retreat. This was after an 'ice age' which began about 1.5 million years ago. So the present period of 'global warming' has been going on for quite some time. Within this period there have been several 'little ice ages' with very abrupt changes in climate. <br /><br />Some people, particularly those from within the 'environmental movement' are inclined to imply that the natural world is a wonderfully balanced system. They tend to take the view that it is only the hubris of human beings which is causing problems. If only we would mend our ways and respect 'mother nature', all would be well.<br /><br />I cannot help feeling, in view of the evidence I have seen, that this is a somewhat naive view of things. Mother nature appears to be just as capable of being a 'bitch' as she is of being a nurturing goddess of ancient wisdom!<br /><br />The other thing which concerns me is the tendency to try to prove the case for 'global warming' by merely accumulating evidence in favor of it. <br />The trouble with this approach is that it is possible to 'prove' just about any hypothesis using the method of building up a dossier of 'evidence' in favor of it. <br /><br />Indeed, this is exactly what cranks the world over do, when they want to 'prove' that we are being visited by aliens or being run by a secret 'shadow' government etc<br /><br />As the late and great Karl Popper pointed out, the real strength of a scientific theory is its ability to stand up to the destructive testing of the underlying hypothesis.<br /><br />This principle is even applied to the criminal law, whereby the onus of proof lies with the prosecution. They have to prove their case against the destructive testing of the defense. If the defense succeed in raising a 'reasonable doubt' about the prosecutions case, the case is judged to be unsound. <br /><br />It seems to me that there is very little attempt to really test the hypothesis which we are being presented with, when it comes to 'global warming'. Instead we are treated to a series of images, isolated facts, spurious statistics and moral admonishments. This is perhaps understandable from the popular media but really quite unforgivable from scientists.<br /><br />We do need to understand the dynamics of our climate. Our survival has always depended on both our ability to adapt to the environment, coupled with a facility to create artificial environments to protect us from the natural one. <br /><br />All I ask is that we try to be objective about this. The present tendency is to try to create a sort of religion based upon a form of nature worship. This 'new age' religion is dressed up in an apparently scientific guise but is mostly humbug.<br /><br />Human beings should not have to keep saying 'pardon me for existing'. We have a right to be here, the planet is not as benign as some people make it out to be and we need to be objective in our approach. <br /><br />That does not mean that I do not appreciate the beauty of the planet. I do not have a car and walk down a lovely country lane to work, every morning. I live in a small semi-detached house and do not fly out on 'package holidays' at every opportunity. <br /><br />I try to do my bit to be 'kind to the environment' but I am not prepared to go along with the nonsense which the popular media comes out with. I am also suspicious of scientists who make little effort to test their ideas against reality and who try to make a religion out of natural phenomena. <br /><br />If the climate does go haywire, we are going to need all the common sense we can muster. I just hope that there will be enough of it left...Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-82265499916262381782007-04-22T13:27:00.000-07:002007-04-25T13:07:07.611-07:00Business - Necessary but not SufficientI may have given the impression, in my previous post, that I am anti-business. <br />Perhaps even a Socialist. Nothing could be further from the truth.<br />Business works fine, within its proper terms of reference.<br /><br />Legitimate business activity benefits humanity by providing goods and services<br />which enhance our lives. The problem is that business is getting too big for its boots.<br /><br />Business presumes to be able to fulfill all human needs but this is simply not the case.<br />Business and Consumerism can never fulfill all the desires of the human heart, nor should it attempt to do so.<br /><br />Business is a necessary but not sufficient condition for human progress.<br />It only benefits human society if it operates within a framework of<br />democracy, law, social justice and a wider culture.<br /><br />Business can exist without such a framework but it seldom, if ever, benefits<br />human beings should that be the case.<br /><br />People have a right to have a life outside their employment. It is wrong of business to try and define self-development, leisure, self-worth and meaning for an employee.<br />As if an employee were not capable of growing independently of their paid employment.<br />When you sell some of your time for a wage, you do not (or certainly should not) join some sort of cult.<br /><br />Your own time is your own time. <br />The only part of your time that an employer is entitled to have a say within, is the time that has been paid for by that employer. <br />Even within that time, the employer does not own you.<br /><br />Often business seems to forget that. There is also a tendency to treat Contracts of employment as a unilateral affair. Contracts are bilateral and one of the vital tasks of the law is to make sure that this principle is upheld. <br /><br />It is not a good thing for an employer to unilaterally alter the terms of employment, even if it appears to confer a benefit on the employee. Equally, it is not good for an employee to object to the contract he/she entered into, just because someone else may have negotiated a better one.<br /><br />Contracts imply an agreement between freely cooperating individuals. They cannot be based upon coercion, subterfuge or paternalism.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-54325721833270084382007-04-20T16:00:00.000-07:002007-04-27T19:47:55.114-07:00Self Worth<div align="left">Employers are under market pressure to minimise any dependence<br />they may have on your individual characteristics.<br />Whenever possible, they will attempt to 'dumb down' your job and depersonalise it.<br /><br />The reason for this is that they need to make sure that they could replace<br />you and that your 'price' in the labour market does not become too high.<br /><br />Always take it with a very large 'pinch of salt' when an employer declares that<br />'we would not want to lose you'.<br />They only mean that it would be inconvenient to lose you right now.<br />In practice they will work towards making you replaceable.<br /><br />To be fair to employers, this is something of a two edged sword.<br />Just as business has a tendency to produce a situation where one person is as good as another, employees are equally at liberty<br />in a 'free' market - to treat employers in the same way.<br />One job being much like another.<br /><br />The hard fact has to be faced. Employers have little real regard for your individuality.<br />It is always something of a threat to them.<br />They only tolerate it when they have to.<br />It is therefore unwise to base your sense of self worth, on your employment.<br /><br />Far better to adopt a relatively mercenary view of your employment<br />because you can be sure that your employer will be taking a relatively mercenary view of you.<br />Of course, they will deny this and claim that you are as much an 'investment'<br />as the rest of their assets.<br /><br />Some employers actually believe this.<br />However their actions hardly ever match their words, in the long run.<br /><br />Base your sense of being valued on a firm foundation. Base it on God, true friends, family and chiefly your self. None, except God, will ever value you as highly as you value yourself.<br /><br />Do not accept the valuation of the 'market place'<br />a valuation which will always sell you short and which is based on mere expediency.</div>Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-81303537684336809282007-01-08T15:32:00.000-08:002007-01-08T16:21:58.109-08:00In praise of remaining ConsciousI don't know if you have noticed but there is a tremendous peer pressure to become unconscious.<br /><br />As soon as people stop working at their paid employment, they tend to indulge in activities designed to lower the threshold of conscious thought. This can involve indulgence in alcohol, drugs or mindless activity of various sorts.<br /><br />I have a theory concerning this. Most people are forced to concentrate and 'focus' at work these days. Very often the object of this 'focus' is not intrinsically interesting. It is just a matter of concentrating attention on matters which are vital to the business.<br /><br />This produces a build up of mental pressure. There is a need to release this pressure and so people make for the bar or stare at the TV, anything to stop concentrating and feel human again.<br /><br />I know that it is tempting to fall into this cycle but I would urge people not to do so. By using your free time to 'switch off'' in preparation for 'switching on' again, you are sacrificing your personal autonomy. You are effectively using your own free time to prepare for the time when you are not free.<br /><br />The trick is to use your precious free time to become even more focused and conscious than you are when you are at work. This need not be stressful. Choosing to focus on something interesting or pleasurable is different than being compelled to focus on things which are necessary but intrinsically boring.<br /><br />It is a shame that collective activity tends to result in a descent into the unconscious. This need not be so. It is possible to enjoy the company of other human beings without moving down several rungs of the evolutionary ladder. It is a case of choosing your friends carefully.<br /><br />Do the people you associate with, in your own time, enliven your mind or dumb it down?<br />If they dumb it down, then my advice is to avoid such company. We only get the opportunity to develop a conscious mind once. The choice is yours, although you need to have a measure of consciousness to even make a choice in the first place!Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-1147908461129297952006-05-17T16:12:00.000-07:002006-05-17T16:27:41.136-07:00InvisibleOf course I am aware that I am an invisible Blogger at present.<br /><br />There are now millions of Blogs out there. XML and other technologies are providing the means by which this great mass of writing can semantically discover itself. This, in turn, means that we may eventually link up - whoever you are.<br /><br />I am in no hurry. Already my Blog title has lied because my posts have not been diurnal - I am full of good intentions! I do intend to write most days though.<br /><br />Eventually, there will be material placed here which should attract some passing trade. For the time being, I am quite content to just sit here in Blog Space - watching the world go by.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28110109.post-1147657693426301432006-05-14T18:22:00.000-07:002006-05-14T18:51:38.646-07:00The Beginning ... of What?Just when the pundits were saying that literacy could be dying, buried under an avalanche of sound and light, the 'Blog' arrives.<br /><br />An explosion of mass literacy - unprecedented in history it seems.<br /><br />Suddenly, everyone is a writer, journalist, reporter, polemicist, apologist, propagandist, poet, prophet, observer... Graffiti artist.<br /><br />On a whim, I decide to join in. What will be the result?<br />I have no idea.<br /><br />Only time will tell... Blogs are by their very nature, chronological.Dennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06640970527573455945noreply@blogger.com0