30 Oct 2016

The ill effects of Brexit… and why it should happen

The pound has tanked since the Brexit vote, which is irksome for those looking to go on foreign holidays, but overall people haven’t felt too many ill effects.  The FTSE (mainly on the back of listed foreign companies benefitting from the fall in the pound) has gone up.

That said, it is a little irksome – my word of the day – when pro-Brexit politicians and newspapers point to this to show that ‘Project Fear’ was misguided, and that Brexit wasn’t as bad as people feared.  The key point, however, is that: Brexit hasn’t happened yet. 

All that has happened is a vote on Brexit – and everyone (including the Market) realises that there is no point panicking yet for something that is so far away in the future.  However, the view that overall Brexit will be bad for the economy is as strong as ever.

I am no fan of European institution, but I voted to Remain, and if I had the chance to do so again, would vote in the same way.

That said the Democratic will of the people decided otherwise.  The manoeuvres of Labour politicians, and various pressure and lobby groups (and ex-prime ministers) is very disturbing – or at least irksome.  Democracy isn’t democracy if those at the top can just overturn a vote if they don’t like the outcome.

Equally, the view that we were ‘lied’ to – or that new information has come to light -is irrelevant.  It was clear at the time that the claims were lies – and it was pointed out by the Remain campaign.  There isn’t really any new information that people were not being told.

Of course, democracy requires an element of trust in the electorate, and their collective rationality or sense.  It means you buy into the fact that a few people cannot – in a paternalistic fashion – know ‘what is best’ for people – against their explicitly stated point of view.  Sometimes that trust isn’t founded or rewarded.

However, in the long run, playing fast and loose with democracy will be more than irksome.

28 Oct 2016

Credo 5

There is no 'real me' or 'true self'.  The statements may have rhetorical force and metaphorical uses, but do not denote a true state of affairs

16 Oct 2016

Jeremy Corbyn: Likes, Dislikes, Indifferences and Ambivalences: Nuclear Weapons

Jeremy Corbyn is, of course, an unacceptable force in British politics.  … It is also true that not everything he says is or will be bad or wrong… See full intro here

This one - Nuclear Weapons - was a toss up between a like and an ambivalence - which I suppose must, therefore, make it an ambivalence.

Let's start with a clear thing that I agree with:  There is absolutely no situation in which I would press the nuclear button.  None. Whatsoever.  Causing the loss of so many lives, taking the innocent along with the guilty, is unthinkable.

Let us also all be absolutely scared of the prospect of Donald Trump having his finger on that button!  Not to mention, Iran! Or, North Korea! It would be much

This brings me on to one of the reasons for ambivalence. One of Jeremy Corbyn's main focus areas in this regard is not Iran or North Korea.  As part of the campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the Middle East, his main target is, of course, Israel.  The fact that his main interest lies with Britain and Israel - countries who are least likely to use it.

This in turn leads to another ambivalence.  While people that might actually use it, have it:  the illusion that a Western Power might use I on them, acts as a deterrent.  However, Jeremy Corbyn is (and I am) much to honest to foster such an illusion - because an illusion is all it is.  Even in the event of an evil attack by such a country, there would be zero benefit in retaliating with nuclear weapons.

What is more, it is an extremely expensive illusion which could be spend on better things.  It would be much better if the illusion could be the whole hog - we pretend to have the weapon, which we pretend to spend a ludicrous amount of money, which we pretend we might actually use - but which doesn't in fact exist.


14 Oct 2016

Credo 4

Taken as a whole some religions are better than others and some lifestyles are better than others (more moral, more truthful, more consistent, more achievable)

Taken individually some beliefs are true and some are false; some actions are right and others can be wrong.

10 Oct 2016

The Time to do Good, and its Limit

One thing that I have already started with my son - and he is only two - is to ask him each day:

  • How have you helped someone today?
  • What did you learn?
This relates to the view I have had that beyond all specific beliefs, one should have two main drives: to learn more, and to do more good.

This served me well when I was, for example, at university and had the free time to focus on this.

Considering this now as an adult, with a wife and child, there is also the case of how I balance 'doing good' and 'learning' with other responsibilities that would take me away from such things, and take precious valuable time.

Let's say I was successful - even in the slightest - on my above two stated aims, but did that to the neglect of doing any ironing or household chores.  I may be a 'saint' or 'sage' in one respect, but also a bad (or at least selfish) person.  That said: if I was completely bogged down in paid work, chores and a modicum of leisure time; I would not be able to raise my life above the mundane.

Yes, I need to learn and do good.  And, whether I achieve it or not, I know its rough contours.  The more pressing concern is life's balance.  Not just work-life balance, but work-life-meaning-duty balance.  And above that, the overarching concept in our lives: time.

9 Oct 2016

Credo 3

There are a plurality values - all worth pursuing - but also can lead to contradictory conclusions in a real life situation. 

[Corollary: Doing 'good' isn't {just} about 'doing the right thing' but about the judgement, weighing and prioritising values in that particular situation]

Back in the Dark Ages

For about a week so far, our broadband from BT has been intermittent at best... often going many hours without working. 

Add this to the fact that the internet is our only access to television currently. This is, at lease in part, a conscious decision - so that we only watch the things that we actually want to, rather than aimlessly flicking through channels and complaining that "there is nothing on".  This has, in the large, been positive: saving lots of time and making us a bit more productive.

Add this to the fact that it is a Sunday - with the inevitable "Sunday feeling"

All of this should equal a great positive.  The ability to read the things that I don't normally have the chance to read; actually speak to my wife about meaningful things; have the opportunity to reflect on my achievements and weaknesses ahead of Yom Kippur.

What it actually equals though is boredom, lethargy, aimlessness; and a great wonder about how people survived before internet.  I pray, this year, for a bit more drive

5 Oct 2016

Credo 2

Giving 'charity' is an obligation and should be regular; not just something to be done when the fancy takes you